Sunday Hymn

Today is Palm Sunday, the day the Church remembers Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the start of Holy Week. This Sunday’s hymn is the traditional Palm Sunday hymn, All Glory, Laud, and Honor. The text goes all the way back to the year 820 when Theodulph (c. 760-821), the bishop of Orleans in France, was charged with treason and imprisoned by King Louis the Pious. Theodulph was a well-known poet as well as a founder of schools. While in prison, he wrote this poem and sang it out the window of his cell while King Louis passed by. Legend has it that Louis was so delighted with it that he set Theoldulph free. Another legend says that as Theodulph was traveling back to Orleans to reclaim his bishop’s seat he was poisoned and died.

The tune dates from much later, 1615 to be exact. The composer, Melchior Tescher, who was born in 1584 and died in 1635, was a pastor and musician who was killed in a Cossack attack.

The meter is 7 6 7 6 D, which means that there are four lines alternating between seven and six syllables each. The “D” stands for “double.” So you sing the 7 6 7 6 pattern again. This hymn contains a refrain to be sung between each verse. Here is the text:

Refrain
All glory, laud and honor,
To Thee, Redeemer, King,
To Whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.

1. Thou art the King of Israel,
Thou David's royal Son,
Who in the Lord's Name comest,
The King and Bless'd One.
Refrain

2. The people of the Hebrews
With palms before Thee went;
Our praise and prayers and anthems
Before Thee we present.
Refrain

3. Thou didst accept their praises;
Accept the prayers we bring,
Who in all good delightest,
Thou good and gracious King.
Refrain

From Hi-Fi Hymnbook:






Picture: 15th century Russian Orthodox icon of Jesus' Triumphal Entry