Hymn Desk
Hymn Tunes /

ST. THOMAS

ST. THOMAS is actually lines 5 through 8 of the sixteen-line tune HOLBORN, composed by Aaron Williams (b. London, England, 1731; d. London, 1776) and published in his Collection (1763,1765) as a setting for Charles Wesley’s text “Soldiers of Christ, Arise” (570). The harmonization is by Lowell Mason . Well-suited to part singing, ST. THOMAS must remain stately, with two broad beats per bar. 242 PSALMS Williams was a singing teacher, music engraver, and clerk at the Scottish Church, London Wall. He published various church music collections, some intended for rural church choirs. Representative of his compilations are The Universal Psalmodist (1763)— published in the United States as The American Harmony (1769)—The Royal Harmony (1766), TheNew Universal Psalmodist (1770), and Psalmody in Miniature (1778). His Harmonia Coelestis (1775) included anthems by noted composers. Liturgical Use: Because this is a composite psalm, stanzas 1 through 3 can stand alone as praise for God’s steadfast love. The remainder of the psalm is useful for times when the church is threatened by enemies.

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: Affection for the Church → Covenantal belonging → Sacrificial devotion → Transcendent joy in communion

Associated Hymn Texts (12)