Barthelemon at Vauxhall
François Hippolite Barthelemon, first-fiddler at Vauxhall Gardens, composed what was probably the most popular morning hymntune ever written. It was formerly sung, full-voiced, every Sunday in most churches, to Bishop Ken's words, but is now seldom heard.
He said: " Awake my soul, and with the sun," . . .
And paused upon the bridge, his eyes due east,
Where was emerging like a full-robed priest
The irradiate globe that vouched the dark as done.
It lit his face — the weary face of one
Who in the adjacent gardens charged his string,
Nightly, with many a tuneful tender thing,
Till stars were weak, and dancing hours outrun.
And then were threads of matin music spun
In trial tones as he pursued his way:
" This is a morn," he murmured, " well begun:
This strain to Ken will count when I am clay!"
And count it did; till, caught by echoing lyres,
It spread to galleried naves and mighty quires.
He said: " Awake my soul, and with the sun," . . .
And paused upon the bridge, his eyes due east,
Where was emerging like a full-robed priest
The irradiate globe that vouched the dark as done.
It lit his face — the weary face of one
Who in the adjacent gardens charged his string,
Nightly, with many a tuneful tender thing,
Till stars were weak, and dancing hours outrun.
And then were threads of matin music spun
In trial tones as he pursued his way:
" This is a morn," he murmured, " well begun:
This strain to Ken will count when I am clay!"
And count it did; till, caught by echoing lyres,
It spread to galleried naves and mighty quires.
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