Thine Be the Glory

Thine Be the Glory, Risen Conquering Son (French: À toi la gloire O Ressuscité), also titled Thine Is the Glory,[1] is a Christian hymn for Easter, written by the Swiss Protestant minister, Edmond Budry (1854–1932), and set to the tune of the chorus "See, the Conqu'ring hero comes" from the third section of Handel's oratorio Judas Maccabaeus. The hymn is sometimes sung at weddings or funerals, and in Ireland is associated with Christmas as well as Easter. An English translation was written in 1923 by Richard Hoyle (1875–1939). The German Advent hymn Tochter Zion, freue dich uses the same tune.

History

The tune of "Thine Be the Glory" was written by Handel in 1747, intended for use in Handel's Joshua oratorio; however, when it was played, it was popular enough that Handel added it to Judas Maccabaeus. In 1796, Ludwig Van Beethoven composed twelve variations on it for both piano and cello.[2]

In 1884, Edmond L. Budry used Handel's tune and wrote words for them, which he titled "A Toi la Gloire." It is reported that he was inspired to write it after the death of his first wife, Marie de Vayenborg in Lausanne, Switzerland.[3] It was later published in French hymn book Chants Evangéliques.[1] The hymn was first translated from French into English by Richard B. Hoyle in 1923.[1] He was commissioned to translate the hymn by the World Student Christian Federation after Budry granted authorisation to reproduce it from the French version.[4] It was later published in the World Student Christian Federation's hymn book, Cantate Domino Hymnal.[3] World Student Christian Federation retained copyright on Hoyle's English translation.[1] The hymn is based on the Resurrection of Jesus[5] and uses elements of Isaiah 25:8.[1]

Other versions

In 1957 in the Netherlands, Calvin Seerveld used "Thine Be the Glory", with his favourite hymn tune, as a basis to write "Praised Be the Father" for his wedding. A church choir in Hoorn helped the congregation to sing it. In the Netherlands, it is used as a wedding hymn.[6] The Germany Advent hymn Tochter Zion, freue dich (Zion's Daughter)[7] was written by Friedrich Heinrich Ranke using the same tune; It has been argued that Thine Be the Glory was based on this hymn.[3] In Spain it is used as a wedding hymn with the lyrics Canticorum iubilo, probably based on Psalm 96.[8] The hymn was translated into Danish in 1993 and is currently no. 240 in Den Danske Salmebog with the title Dig være ære, Herre over dødens magt.[9] It is listed under Easter psalms, but it also considered appropriate for funerals.

Usage

The hymn is often used in Easter church services involving the British royal family.[10] It was also played during a service of thanksgiving in commemoration of Queen Elizabeth II's 80th birthday.[11] The hymn is also used during funerals and is listed in the Church of England's funeral services hymn book.[12] During the Last Night of the Proms in the United Kingdom, Thine Be the Glory is played after Fantasia on British Sea Songs with attendees traditionally whistling the tune.[2]

In Ireland, "Thine Be the Glory" traditionally closes the Christmas Eve service at St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, which is broadcast live by the national public service broadcaster RTÉ.

In the Netherlands, the original French version is sung during funerals and weddings of the Dutch Royal Family.

Lyrics

Below are the original lyrics by Edmond Budry with a literal English translation, and Hoyle's translation:

Original Lyrics	Literal translation	Hoyle translation
À toi la gloire, O Ressuscité! À toi la victoire pour l’éternité! Brillant de lumière, l’ange est descendu, Il roule la Pierre du tombeau vaincu. À toi la gloire, O Ressuscité! À toi la victoire pour l’éternité! Vois-le paraître: C’est lui, c’est Jésus, Ton Sauveur, ton Maître, Oh! ne doute plus! Sois dans l’allégresse, peuple du Seigneur, Et redis sans cesse: Le Christ est vainqueur! À toi la gloire, O Ressuscité! À toi la victoire pour l’éternité! Craindrais-je encore? Il vit à jamais, Celui que j’adore, le Prince de paix; Il est ma victoire, mon puissant soutien, Ma vie et ma gloire : non, je ne crains rien! À toi la gloire, O Ressuscité! À toi la victoire pour l’éternité!	Thine [be] the glory, Oh resurrected One! Thine [be] the victory, for eternity! Shining with light, the angel descended, He rolled the stone from the conquered grave. Thine [be] the glory, Oh resurrected One! Thine [be] the victory, for eternity! Watch Him coming, it's Him, it's Jesus, Your Saviour, your Master, Oh, doubt no more! Rejoice, people of the Lord, And repeat without ending: Christ is Conqueror! Thine [be] the glory, Oh resurrected One! Thine [be] the victory, for eternity! Shall I still fear? He lives forever, It is Him whom I adore, the Prince of peace; He is my Victory, my mighty Reliance my Life and my Glory: no, I fear nothing! Thine [be] the glory, Oh resurrected One! Thine [be] the victory, for eternity!	Thine be the glory, risen, conqu'ring Son; endless is the vict'ry Thou o’er death hast won. Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away, kept the folded grave-clothes where Thy body lay. Thine be the glory, risen, conqu'ring Son; endless is the vict'ry Thou o’er death hast won. Lo, Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb. Lovingly He greets us, scatters fear and gloom; let His church with gladness hymns of triumph sing, for the Lord now liveth; death hath lost its sting. Thine be the glory, risen, conqu'ring Son; endless is the vict'ry Thou o’er death hast won. No more we doubt Thee, glorious Prince of life!! Life is nought without Thee; aid us in our strife; make us more than conqu'rors, through Thy deathless love; bring us safe through Jordan to Thy home above. Thine be the glory, risen, conqu'ring Son; endless is the vict'ry Thou o’er death hast won.[13]

Tune

The following setting, based on Handel's original, is from the collection "Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New".[14]

References

1. "Thine Is the Glory". Hymntime. Retrieved 2014-03-24.
2. "Judas Maccabaeus: Prom 8, 19th July 2012". Opera Britannia. 2012-07-21. Archived from the original on 2014-03-24. Retrieved 2014-03-24.
3. "Thine Be the Glory". The Center For Church Music. Retrieved 2014-03-24.
4. "Copyright". World Student Christian Federation. Archived from the original on December 8, 2013. Retrieved 2014-03-24.
5. "Thine be the Glory". Worship Workshop. Retrieved 2014-03-24.
6. "Psalter Hymnal (Gray) 582. Praised be the Father". Hymnary.org. 1956-09-08. Retrieved 2014-03-24.
7. "Tochter Zion, freue dich". Mamalisa.com. Retrieved 2014-03-24.
8. Lyrics of CANTICORUM IUBILO- G. F. Händel
9. "Dig være ære, Herre over dødens magt". Den Danske Salmebog (in Danish). Retrieved 4 February 2020.
10. "Royals gather for Easter service (From Gazette Series)". Gazetteseries.co.uk. 2012-04-08. Retrieved 2014-03-24.
11. "The Order of Service for the Family Service of Thanksgiving" (Press release). Buckingham Palace. Retrieved 2014-03-24.
12. Funeral Services of the Christian Churches in England: Including Additional Hymn Section. Canterbury Press. 2001. ISBN 1853113999.
13. "Thine Is the Glory". Hymnary.org. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
14. "Thine Be the Glory". hymnary.org. Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New. 2000. pp. 1114–1115.