Let Us Now Praise Famous Men

Words:  Ecclesiasticus XLIV
Music:  Ralph Vaughan Williams

May 29, 2011
July 1, 2012


The composer of this morning's anthem, Ralph Vaughan Williams, was a 20th Century English composer of symphonies, chamber music, opera, choral music, and film scores. He was also a collector of English folk music, an activity which influenced his editorial approach to the Anglican English Hymnal, in which he included many folk song arrangements set as hymn tunes, and also influenced several of his own original compositions.

The text for this anthem is from the book Ecclesiasticus, commonly called The Wisdom of Sirach, a work from the early 2nd century B.C. written by the Jewish scribe Jesus ben Sirach.  

We sing now of honored heroes and leaders, those whose legacies were forged in wisdom, courage, and faith.  Inspiring as are his words, Ben Sira could not have known how, in our age today, leaders and heroes span not just generations, but also genders.


Let us now praise famous men,
And our Fathers that begat us.
Such as did bear rule in their kingdoms,
Men renowned for their power.

Leaders of the people
By their counsels and by their knowledge.
Such as found out musical tunes,
And recited verses in writing:

All these were honoured in their generations,
And were the glory of their times.

And some there be which have no memorial;
Who are perished, as though they had never been.
Their bodies are buried in peace;
But their name liveth for ever more.




©  1968 J. Curwen & Sons Ltd.