Fairest Lord Jesus German 17th Century, translated by Lilian Sinclair Stevenson (1870-1960)
Silesian folk song (1842) arranged by Martin How.
The music is a folk song from Silesia, a culturally rich area of Europe from the 1st century, now forming part of modern day Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. The words are a 17th century German hymn adapted by British organist, composer and choir master Martin How.
Some think this was originally The Crusader's Hymn, sung by German crusaders as they made their way to the Holy Land.
Franz Liszt used the tune in his oratorio The Legend of St Elizabeth as a crusader's march and so the tune became known as St Elizabeth.
Martin How (1931- ) was born in Liverpool, moving to Brighton and then Glasgow just before the start of WWII. He spent most of his childhood in Glasgow. He was awarded an organ scholarship at Clare College, Cambridge, reading Music and Theology.
He spent most of his career with the Royal School of Church Music, principally as a choir trainer, motivating and training young singers. He initiated and developed the RSCM Chorister Training Scheme used in various forms around the world.
He was appointed MBE for Services to Church Music in the 1993 New Year Honours List .
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