The Star of the County Down is currently a topic on the e-mail harplist. This reference to a previous posting to the list came up in today's mailing. The definitive answer (perhaps?) to which hymns use this tune.

Helen

http://www.tns.lcs.mit.edu/harp/archives/current/0061.html [Harplist] County Down / Kingsfold in SIX hymnals

Rpoolnyc@aol.com Wed, 2 Jun 1999 22:09:07 EDT

Messages sorted by: [ date ][ thread ][ subject ][ author ] Next message: J.Hopper/R.Johnstone: "[Harplist] Memorizing" Previous message: Shawn Bird: "Re: [Harplist] outdoor music...memorizing"

From: Rpoolnyc@aol.com

Dear Friends at the Harplist:

Mary Radspinner responded to Barbara Christensen's question about the tune "County Down" and identified it as the hymntune "Kingsfold." Using the references from my recent publication "Hymns & Harmony" I have found the following resources for this melody:

1. Worship III (Catholic) # 490 "All you who seek a comfort sure..." #607 "I heard the voice of Jesus say...."

2. Hymnbook 1982 (Episcopal) #292 "O Jesus, crowned with all renown...." #480 "When Jesus left his Father's throne....."

3. The Presbyterian Hymnal #308 "O sing a song of Bethlehem...." #434 "Today we all are called to be....." #601 "Blest be the God of Israel......"

4. The United Methodist Hymnal #179 "O sing a song of Bethlehem...." #285 "To mock your reign, O dearest Lord....." #606 "Come, let us use the grace divine....."

5. Rejoice in the Lord (The Reformed Church in America) #356 "O sing a song of Bethlehem...."

6. Lutheran Book of Worship #391 "And have the bright immensities...."

This illustrates the importance of knowing the name of a TUNE versus the FIRST LINE of text. In all cases, this tune appears in the key of E minor (one sharp). Although this tune does not appear in my new fakebook "Hymns & Harmony," there are one hundred other choices of equal merit. (** Mea culpa** -- and you heard it here first!)

Best wishes, Ray Pool http://www.raypool.com