Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so bright

Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so bright

Author: George Herbert
Published in 53 hymnals

Author: George Herbert

Herbert, George, M.A., the fifth son of Richard Herbert and Magdalen, the daughter of Sir Richard Newport, was born at his father's seat, Montgomery Castle, April 3, 1593. He was educated at Westminster School, and at Trinity College, Cambridge, graduating B.A. in 1611. On March 15, 1615, he became Major Fellow of the College, M.A. the same year, and in 1619 Orator for the University. Favoured by James I., intimate with Lord Bacon, Bishop Andrewes, and other men of influence, and encouraged in other ways, his hopes of Court preferment were somewhat bright until they were dispelled by the deaths of the Duke of Richmond, the Marquis of Hamilton, and then of King James himself. Retiring into Kent, he formed the resolution of taking Holy Orders… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so bright
Author: George Herbert
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Notes

Sweet day, so cool, so calm, so bright. G. Herbert. [Virtue. Spring.] Appeared in his posthumous work, The Temple, 1633, in 4 stanzas of 4 lines, as a poem on "Virtue." (The Chandos Classics, ed. 1887, p. 140.) It is a beautiful poem, but is unsuited as a hymn for congregational use, although found in a few collections for that purpose. I. Walton's reference to it in his Compleat Angler, 1653, is very tender and just: — "'PISCATOR.—And now, scholar! my direction for thy fishing is ended with this shower, for it has done raining. And now look about you, and see how pleasantly that meadow looks; nay, and the earth smells as sweetly too. Come, let me tell you what holy Herbert says of such days and showers as these; and then we will thank God that we enjoy them. "Sweet day, so cool’", &c.

-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 53 of 53)

The American Seaman's Hymn Book #d182

Hymns for the Vestry and the Fireside #d272

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A Selection of Sacred Songs #15

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Hymns for Social Meetings #75

Massachusetts Sabbath School Hymn Book #d170

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The Boston Sunday School Hymn Book #148

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Christian Hymns for Public and Private Worship #657

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The Public School Singing Book #152

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The Sabbath School Lyre #63

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A Selection of Sacred Songs. 2nd ed. #15

Cantica Laudis #d265

Hymns for the Hospital Chapel, Worcester #d197

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The School Hymn-Book #216

Harmonia Ecclesiae #d225

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Hymns for the Church of Christ (3rd thousand) #188

Hymns for Children and Young Persons #d375

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The American School Hymn Book #XCII

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Mission Songs #42

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Plymouth Collection of Hymns and Tunes; for the use of Christian Congregations #317

Songs for the School Room #d104

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The Wesleyan Sacred Harp #100a

Family Singing Book. Rev ed. with Supplement #d244

The Sabbath School Lyre #d142

The Sacred Minstrel #d82

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Hymns for the Church of Christ. (6th thousand) #188

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The American School Hymn Book. (New ed.) #XCII

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The Wesleyan Sacred Harp #100a

The Vestry Harp #d169

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A Collection of Hymns #393

Songs of the Unity #d184

Sunday School Melodies No. 1 #d10

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Plymouth Collection #a317

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Songs for Social and Public Worship #456

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Waters' Choral Harp #16

Songs for Social and Public Worship. Rev. ed. #d389

The School Psalter #d243

Choral Harp for Sunday Schools #d131

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Hymns for Christian Devotion #962

School Service Book #d31

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Hymns for All Christians #L69

The American Tune Book (Carmina Sacra, enlarged) #d353

Grammar School Hymn Book #d228

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Hymns for Christian Devotion #962

The One Key Singer #d42

The Temple Harp #d298

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Select Songs for the Sunday School #309

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Select Songs for the Singing Service #309

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Hymns for all Christians #269

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The World's Best Hymns #68

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The World's Best Hymns #129

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Songs of Praise #359

Songs of praise #650

The Cambridge Hymnal #96

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