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Rejoice, the Lord is King!
 | Rejoice, the Lord is King: Your Lord and King adoreAuthor: Charles Wesley (1744)Tune: DARWALL Published in 599 hymnals Printable scores: PDF, SibeliusAudio files: MIDI | |
Author: Charles Wesley
Charles Wesley, the son of Samuel Wesley, was born at Epworth, Dec. 18, 1707. He was educated at Westminster School and afterwards at Christ Church, Oxford, where he graduated M.A. In 1735, he took Orders and immediately proceeded with his brother John to Georgia, both being employed as missionaries of the S.P.G. He returned to England in 1736. For many years he engaged with his brother in preaching the Gospel. He died March 29, 1788. To Charles Wesley has been justly assigned the appellation of the "Bard of Methodism." His prominence in hymn writing may be judged from the fact that in the "Wesleyan Hymn Book," 623 of the 770 hymns were written by him; and he published more than thirty poetical works, written either by himself alone,… Go to person page >For Leaders
Text:
Charles Wesley wrote this hymn, and it was first published in 1744 in his brother John’s Collection of Moral and Sacred Poems. Charles later published it in his own anonymous Hymns for our Lord’s Resurrection in 1746. The theme of the text is celebration of Christ as King and Lord of all the earth.
Wesley originally wrote six stanzas, but hymnals vary on which of these are included today. The original first and third (“His kingdom cannot fail”) stanzas are always included in modern hymnals, while the fourth (“He sits at God’s right hand”) appears only occasionally, and the fifth (“He all His foes shall quell”) is almost always omitted. The other two stanzas (the second, “Jesus the Savior reigns,” and sixth, “Rejoice in glorious hope”) are usually included. Each stanza concludes with a refrain, which is identical for stanzas one through five. Stanza six originally had a unique refrain, but more often today, it is given the same refrain as the other stanzas. This may be due to how the refrain fits the common tune, DARWALL.
Tune:
The most common tune used with this text is DARWALL, named after the composer, John Darwall. It was first published with the text of Psalm 148 in Aaron William’s New Universal Psalmodist in 1770, hence the alternate title DARWALL'S 148TH. This tune may be sung in unison or in parts at a lively tempo. The use of trumpets would add to the theme of regal celebration that is present in the text.
Another tune that is used sometimes is GOPSAL, written especially for this text by G. F. Handel around 1750. His setting was lost for many years, but was rediscovered and published in 1826 by Samuel Wesley, son of Charles Wesley. The tune was named after a place in Leicestershire.
When/Why/How:
This hymn is suitable for occasions where Christ's royal majesty is celebrated, such as Easter, Ascension, and Christ the King Sunday. It could also be used for an opening hymn or call to worship. One possibility for a hymn medley is “Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart,” as in the handbell arrangement “Rejoice! Give Thanks and Sing.” Typically, this hymn is given majestic settings, which suit its royal theme. A concertato setting of “Rejoice, the Lord is King!” opens with a brass fanfare, and uses brass, organ, and optional timpani to accompany the choir and congregation. Other settings provide some contrast and suggest a different consideration of the message. Stan Pethel's original music for the text of “Rejoice, the Lord is King” has a playful feel, in contrast to the broad, majestic settings this text usually receives. A little Baroque flavor to the music is a nod to the time when this hymn was written (and perhaps to Handel as well). An arrangement for choir and piano of “Come, People of the Risen King” blends this contemporary song with Wesley's hymn, with optional brass and rhythm, in a style suitable for blended worship services.
Tiffany Shomsky Hymnary.org
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