John Bacchus Dykes

Life

Born: 10 March 1823, Kingston upon Hull

Died: 22 January 1876, Ticehurst, Sussex

Biography

John Bacchus Dykes was an English clergyman and hymnist. He was born in Hull, England, and by age 10 was the assistant organist at St. John's Church, Hull, where his grandfather was vicar. He studied at Wakefield and St Catharine's College, Cambridge, earning a B.A. in Classics in 1847. He cofounded the Cambridge University Musical Society. He was ordained as curate of Malton in 1847. For a short time, he was canon of Durham Cathedral, then precentor (1849 – 1862). In 1862 he became vicar of St. Oswald's, Durham until his death in 1876.

He published sermons and articles on religion but is best known for over 300 hymn tunes he composed. Amongst his many notable hymns which are still in wide use may be mentioned: Nicaea, commonly sung to the words "Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!"; Wir Pflügen, harmonised by Dykes and commonly sung to the words "We plough the fields, and scatter" (a translation of the German hymn "Wir pflügen und wir streuen" by the late 18th century German poet Matthias Claudius); Melita, sung to the words "Eternal Father, Strong to Save" (sometimes known as "For those in Peril on the Sea" from its recurring last line); Gerontius, sung to the words "Praise to the Holiest in the Height" (taken from Cardinal Newman's poem The Dream of Gerontius); O Perfect Love; and Dominus Regit Me, sung to the words "The King of love my Shepherd is", one of the many metrical versions of Psalm 23.

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List of choral works

Services & Oratorio

• Magnificat and Nunc dimittis in F

Hymntunes

Christian, dost thou see them? Come unto me, ye weary Days and moments quickly flying Eternal Father, strong to save MELITA Father of heaven, whose love profound Fierce raged the tempest o'er the deep Hark, my soul! It is the Lord Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty NICEA I heard the voice of Jesus say In the hour of trial Jesu, lover of my soul HOLLINGSIDE Jesu, Thou joy of loving hearts

Jesus, holy, undefiled Jesus, the very thought of thee The King of love my shepherd is DOMINUS REGIT ME Lamp of our feet Lead, kindly light LUX BENIGNA Lead, kindly light (J. Ashley Hall) Brilha, meiga luz (J. Ashley Hall) Brillante étoile, étoile du matin (J. Ashley Hall) My song is love unknown Nearer, my God, to thee HORBURY Now the labourer's task is o'er O come and mourn with me awhile O Lord of heaven and earth and sea

O Master, let me walk with thee O strength and stay Our blest Redeemer, ere he breathed Praise to the holiest in the height Ride on, ride on in majesty! ST DROSTANE Saviour, again to thy dear name Saviour, while my heart is tender Ten thousand times ten thousand There is a land of pure delight Through the night of doubt and sorrow We pray thee, heavenly Father Whom should we love like thee

Other works not listed above (See Template:CheckMissing for possible reasons and solutions)

• Hosanna to the living Lord!
• O perfect Love
• Shepherd of souls, refresh and bless

Click here to search for this composer on CPDL

External links

• Cyber Hymnal™ entry for John Bacchus Dykes