Hymn Desk
Hymn Tunes /

REGENT SQUARE

Henry T. Smart (PHH 233) composed REGENT SQUARE for the Horatius Bonar (PHH 260) doxology “Glory be to God the Father.” The tune was first published in the English Presbyterian Church’s Psalms and Hymnsfor Divine Worship (1867), of which Smart was music editor. Because the text editor of that hymnal, James Hamilton, was minister of the Regent Square Church, the “Presbyterian cathedral” of London, the tune was given this title. At times Montgomery’s text is sung to GLORIA (347), but it is usually associated with this tune. REGENT SQUARE is a splendid tune with lots of lift and some repeated phrases. For variety, try having small groups sing stanzas 1-3, with all on the refrains; stanza 4 sung by all in harmony; and stanza 5 in unison, perhaps with an alternative accompaniment. [Liturgical Use] Christmas Day worship service; during the Christmas season and Epiphany (not only for the Christmas story, but also for the hymn’s obvious mission focus in stanza 4). Henry T. Smart composed REGENT SQUARE for the Horatius Bonar doxology “Glory be to God the Father.” The tune was first published in the English Presbyterian Church’s Psalms and Hymnsfor Divine Worship (1867), of which Smart was music editor. Because the text editor of that hymnal, James Hamilton, was minister of the Regent Square Church, the “Presbyterian cathedral” of London, the tune was given this title. At times Montgomery’s text is sung to GLORIA (347), but it is usually associated with this tune. REGENT SQUARE is a splendid tune with lots of lift and some repeated phrases. For variety, try having small groups sing stanzas 1-3, with all on the refrains; stanza 4 sung by all in harmony; and stanza 5 in unison, perhaps with an alternative accompaniment.

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Cosmic proclamation of Christ's birth moves from heavenly announcement (angels) through earthly witnesses (shepherds, sages) to eschatological hope (saints awaiting return), culminating in universal call to worship

Associated Hymn Texts (11)