Beneficence (Oliver Holden)
Music files
ICON | SOURCE |
---|---|
![]() |
|
![]() |
Midi |
![]() |
MusicXML |
![]() |
File details |
![]() |
Help |
- Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2015-08-20). Score information: Letter, 1 page, 58 kB Copyright: Public Domain
- Edition notes: Oval note edition. The other two stanzas of Taylor's hymn added below.
- Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2015-08-20). Score information: 7 x 10 in (landscape), 1 page, 58 kB Copyright: Public Domain
- Edition notes: Note shapes added (4-shape). The other two stanzas from Taylor's hymn added below.
General Information
Title: Beneficence
First Line: Father of our feeble race
Composer: Oliver Holden
Lyricist: John Taylor
Number of voices: 3vv Voicing: STB
Genre: Sacred  : Meter: 77. 77. D
Language: English
Instruments: A cappella
First published: 1800 in Plain Psalmody, p. 47, for three voices: Treble-Tenor-Bass
Description: Words by John Taylor, 1795, in three stanzas.
External websites:
Original text and translations
English text
1. Father of our feeble race,
Wise, beneficent, and kind,
Spread o'er nature's ample face,
Flows Thy goodness unconfined.
Musing in the silent grove,
Or the busy walks of men,
Still we trace Thy wondrous love,
Claiming large returns again.
2. Lord, what offering shall we bring,
At thine altars when we bow?
Hearts, the pure, unsullied spring,
Whence the kind affections flow;
Soft compassion's feeling soul,
By the melting eye expressed;
Sympathy, at whose control,
Sorrow leaves the wounded breast.
3. Willing hands, to lead the blind,
Bind the wound, or feed the poor;
Love, embracing all our kind,
Charity, with liberal store:
Teach us, O thou heavenly King!
Thus to show our grateful mind,
Thus th' accepted offering bring,
Love to Thee, and all mankind.