Norwich, UK
Intriguing and unexpected stories lie behind the creation of hymns sung around the world for generations. That’s certainly the case with some of those composed by Victorian-era English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams who, as well as being a much-lauded classical music and hymn tune composer, also collected traditional folk tunes sung in villages and communities around England.
Vaughan Williams’ life and legacy is being celebrated in ‘From Pub to Pulpit’, the surprising title of a concert tour taking place in various UK cathedrals to mark his 150th birthday.
From Pub to Pulpit performers on tour at Lincoln Cathedral. PICTURE: Supplied
“One of the aims of the organisers of the Vaughan Williams’ 150th celebrations was to take his versatility and music to people who may not previously have been aware of it. Folk music lovers know about the folk songs, but not the classical repertoire and the hymns; church and choral fans didn’t know about the folk music; many of the classical lovers didn’t know bout either of the other areas of his work, “ said John Palmer, organiser of ‘Pub to Pulpit’.
“This project allowed us to cross the genres in an entertaining and unique way, by initially giving audiences something they were familiar with, we were able to entice them to listen to other work too.”
The concert series start in a traditional way, with the host choir and organ performing a selection of well known Vaughan Williams related pieces, before acapella group Broomdasher sing folk songs he collected and instrumental trio Coracle create variations on tunes he collected or composed. Broomdasher and Coracle then set out to show how he adapted folk songs into hymn music.
Vaughan Williams collected more than 800 folk songs and tunes, many of which had never been written down before. He believed that “music is the expression of the soul of the nation”, allowing him to map village and cultural links to the origins of folk tunes.
“There’s been some surprise when we explain that I heard the Voice of Jesus say is sung to the tune of the grisly folk song, The Murder in the Red Barn,” Palmer noted.
Vaughan William’s tune, Forest Green, accompanies O Little Town of Bethlehem. It actually comes from The Ploughboys Dream collected in 1903 from the village of Forest Green in Surrey, which tells the story of a ploughboy rebuked by an angel when dreaming of being cruel to his animals.
Equally unexpected is the folk link behind He Who Would Valiant Be. It is based on a song called Our Captain Calls found at MonksGate, Sussex, which tells of a sailor whose girl rejected him when poor, but liked him when he had gold.
Broomdasher and Coracle with choristers in the Pub to Pulpit Vaughan Williams anniversary tour at Exeter Cathedral. PICTURE: Courtesy of From Pub to Pulpit
Coventry Cathedral, Derby Cathedral, St Nicholas Cathedral in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Lincoln Cathedral, Wells Cathedral, Hull Minster, Chelmsford Cathedral, Brecon Cathedral, Exeter Cathedral, St Michael & All Saints Ledbury, All Saints Hove and Gloucester Cathedral are among the ecclesiastical venues hosting the tour involving folk musicians, choristers and audience collaborating together.
Congregations and vhurch choirs are thoroughly enjoying participating in the concerts.
“Our girl choristers and choral scholars loved joining Coventry Cathedral Chorus last November for a classical concert of Vaughan Williams’ pieces but this folk-influenced programme is giving them a new way of experiencing his music,” said Luke Fitzgerald, assistant director of music at Coventry Cathedral.
“To prepare the choir for this folk style, we gave our Christmas crowds a taster of ‘Pub to Pulpit’ by singing an arrangement of Somerset Carol in our carol services. This is a real carousing wassail-style version of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen which people really enjoyed.
“Our cathedral congregation has always loved Vaughan Williams’ hymn tunes, but hadn’t realised until we programmed ‘Pub to Pulpit’ they had such a colourful history in the folk tradition.”
Correction: The location of the first image has been corrected to Lincoln Cathedral.
