A Conversation for Cwm Rhondda: The unofficial Welsh National Anthem
I knew the name and tune at once, and I'm not British. ;-)
paulh, vaccinated against the Omigod Variant Started conversation Feb 16, 2005
"Bread of Heaven" is a phrase from "Guide me, O thou great Jehovah."
There are probably a lot of Protestant hymnals in the U.S. that would contain the hymn.
Other well-known tunes that have been co-opted for church hymns are: Josef Haydn's national anthem for Austria, which became "Glorious things of thee are spoken"; The choral theme in the finale of Beethoven's 9th symphony, which became "Joyful, joyful, we adore thee." Even Handel's hymn of praise for Judas Maccabeas (from the eponymous oratorio) was co-opted, becoming "Thine is the glory, risen conquering son." Sibelius' "Finlandia" was turned into a hymn. I might say "Is nothing sacred?" but here it would have to become "Is everything sacred?"
I knew the name and tune at once, and I'm not British. ;-)
Felonious Monk - h2g2s very own Bogeyman Posted Feb 18, 2005
Finlandia was turned into 'Be Still, My Soul', which when sung properly, is in fact quite heart-breakingly magnificent. Whereas, when we come to jingoist dreck like 'I Vow to Thee My Country'...
I knew the name and tune at once, and I'm not British. ;-)
paulh, vaccinated against the Omigod Variant Posted Feb 19, 2005
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I knew the name and tune at once, and I'm not British. ;-)
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