About this Hymn Tune

The text 'O blest Creator' is translated from the 6th century hymn, Lucis Creator optime, which is attributed to Gregory the Great, and set in the Ambrosian rhythm, iambic tetrameter. Its use was for the evening office of vespers (evensong) during seasons we associate with 'green' liturgical appointments - days after Pentecost and Epiphany. The vesper hymn 'O Trinity of blessed light' is an ancient text, O lux beata Trinitas, often credited to St Ambrose in the 4th C., though this appears doubtful. The most common monastic use was for vespers (evensong) for Saturdays and Trinity Sunday. The current English text is translation layered upon translation, and the third verse doxology was added in the 17th C.

The tune Bromley was penned in 1700 by Jeremiah Clarke (The Hymnal 1982 and the The Hymnal 1982 Companion sources the tune to a trio by Franz Josef Haydn, but as Clarke is granted authorship of an almost identical trio, and died before Haydn was born (and 93 years before the publication of the Haydn version), the claim made by The Hymnal 1982 is strange. The four-part voicing was arranged by Mary Bridges for the 1920 Yattendon Hymnal. While we are on the subject of misattribution, Clarke is much better known as the true composer of two compositions wrongfully attributed to Henry Pucell, The Prince of Denmark's March (aka, the 'Trumpet Voluntary') and Trumpet Tune in D, which is actually an organ piece.

Sources: The Hymnal 1982 Companion, cyberhymnal.org, www.preces-latinae.org.

You may print and use the descants you find here free of charge for church services and concerts; however, be advised these are copyrighted materials and cannot be used for commercial purposes without prior written consent. Please pass on your comments and suggestions by sending me an email. Better yet - send me a recording! I’ll post it. scores are in pdf format.

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