BROTHER JAMES' AIR

Composer: James Leith Macbeth Bain

James Leith Macbeth Bain (b. Scotland, c. 1840; d. Liverpool, England, 1925), was a healer, mystic, and poet known simply as Brother James. The tune BROTHER JAMES AIR was first published in his volume The great peace: being a New Year's greeting ... (1915). Born in a devout Christian home, Bain came to doubt the faith but later regained a mystical belief with the aid of the Christo Theosophic Society. He founded the Brotherhood of Healers, and he and his fellow healers often sang to their patients during healing sessions. In the latter years of his life he worked among the poor in the slums of Liverpool. He published a book on healing entitled The Brotherhood of Healers ... (1906). Psalter Hymnal Handbook, 1988 Go to person page >

Tune Information

Title: BROTHER JAMES' AIR
Composer: James Leith Macbeth Bain
Place Of Origin: Scotland
Meter: 8.6.8.6.4.4.6
Incipit: 13515 61543 11711
Key: D Major
Source: Traditional
Copyright: Public Domain

Notes

BROTHER JAMES' AIR was composed by James Leith Macbeth Bain (b. Scotland, c. 1840; d. Liverpool, England, 1925), the healer, mystic, and poet known simply as Brother James. The tune was first published in his volume The great peace: being a New Year's greeting ... (1915). Born in a devout Christian home, Bain came to doubt the faith but later regained a mystical belief with the aid of the Christo Theosophic Society. He founded the Brotherhood of Healers, and he and his fellow healers often sang to their patients during healing sessions. In the latter years of his life he worked among the poor in the slums of Liverpool. He published a book on healing entitled The Brotherhood of Healers ... (1906).

This well-loved tune is in bar form (AAB) with an unusual final phrase that rises to a high tonic cadence. Ideally suited to part singing, the harmonization is adapted from the popular arrangement by Gordon Jacob (b. Norwood, near London, England, 1895; d. Saffron Walden, Essex, England, 1984) published in 1934, which was also titled "Brother James' Air."

Jacob studied at Dulwich College and the Royal College of Music and received his doctorate in music from London University in 1935. He taught composition at the Royal College of Music from 1926 to 1966 and was respected both as a fine teacher and as a composer of orchestral, chamber, and choral music and film scores. Included in his publications are Orchestral Technique (1931) and The Composer and His Art (1960).

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Timeline

Arrangements

Harmonizations, Introductions, Descants, Intonations

  • Hymn Introductions Alternate Harmonizations Volume 2
    Composer/Editor John E. Wigal
    Published By: MorningStar Music Publishers, Inc. (2021) pp. 8
  • A New Liturgical Year Volume 2
    Composer/Editors John A. Ferguson; M. Searle Wright
    Published By: Augsburg Fortress (2015) pp. 82
  • 200 Last Verses: Completely Revised to Complement the Keys in Major Hymn Books
    Composer/Editor Noel Rawsthorne
    Published By: Kevin Mayhew Ltd. (2009) pp. 22
  • Introductions and Alternate Accompaniments for Organ Volume 9: Evangelical Lutheran Worship Hymns 755 - 818
    Composer/Editors Norma Aamodt-Nelson; Marissa Bauck; Marilyn Biery
    Published By: Augsburg Fortress (2009) pp. 778
  • Introductions and Alternate Accompaniments for Piano Volume 9: Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Hymns 755 - 818
    Composer/Editors Norma Aamodt-Nelson; Marissa Bauck; Timothy Shaw
    Published By: Augsburg Fortress (2009) pp. 778
  • Two Hundred One Hymn Tune Prelude Miniatures
    Composer/Editor Mark Winchester
    Published By: Frog Music (2005) pp. 20
  • Twenty-Five Organ Harmonizations: Alternate Hymn Settings in Various Styles
    Composer/Editor Harold J. Owen
    Published By: GIA Publications, Inc. (2002) pp. 5
  • 100 Alternative Hymn Tune Arrangements
    Composer/Editor Andrew Moore
    Published By: Kevin Mayhew Ltd. (2001) pp. 39
  • Last Verse Extravaganza for Organ: 200 Fabulous Arrangements
    Published By: Kevin Mayhew Ltd. (2001) pp. 21
  • Let It Rip! At the Piano 2: Congregational Song Accompaniments Volume 2
    Composer/Editors Norma Aamodt-Nelson; Eric Vollen
    Published By: Augsburg Fortress (2000) pp. 32
  • Festive Hymn Introductions: 37 Settings for Organ
    Composer/Editor Dale Wood
    Published By: The Sacred Music Press (1997) pp. 6
  • 14 Pieces for Treble Instrument and Organ
    Composer/Editor Allan Mahnke
    Published By: Concordia Publishing House (1996) pp. 39
  • After the Last Verse: 200 Hymn Improvisations
    Composer/Editor Malcolm Archer
    Published By: Kevin Mayhew Ltd. (1995) pp. 22
  • Creative Hymn Accompaniments for Organ: Volume 2
    Composer/Editor Gerhard Krapf
    Published By: The Sacred Music Press (1994) pp. 6
  • Hymn Descants Set 4: With C and B flat Instrument Parts
    Composer/Editor Stanley Drummond Wolff
    Published By: Concordia Publishing House (1994) pp. 28
  • Hymns for Occasions: One Hundred Special Arrangements
    Composer/Editor Colin Mawby
    Published By: Kevin Mayhew Ltd. (1994) pp. 13
  • The Creative Organist: Harmonizations for Hymn Singing
    Composer/Editor John A. Behnke
    Published By: Hope Publishing Company (1993) pp. 2
  • Hymn Descants and Free Harmonizations
    Composer/Editor Ronald Arnatt
    Published By: Augsburg Publishing House (1990) pp. 10
  • The Concordia Hymn Prelude Series Volume 21: General: Ber - Cons
    Composer/Editors Herbert Gotsch; Rodger Kalbfleisch
    Published By: Concordia Publishing House (1983) pp. 24
  • Carols for the Seasons
    Composer/Editor Healey Willan
    Published By: Concordia Publishing House (1959) pp. 39

Organ Solo

  • The Sacred Organ Library Volume 11
    Composer/Editor Ian Higginson
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2022) pp. 28
  • The Sacred Organ Journal Volume 55 Number 5 May June 2021: A Bi-Monthly Anthology for Church Organists
    Composer/Editors Carson Cooman; Ian Higginson
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2021) pp. 2
  • A Cotswold Collection: Organ Voluntaries for Service or Concert
    Composer/Editor Ian Higginson
    Published By: The Sacred Music Press (2020) pp. 50
  • Easy Hymns for Organ
    Composer/Editor Carson Cooman
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2020) pp. 78
  • Easy Organ Library Volume 65
    Composer/Editor Franklin D. Ashdown
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2019) pp. 48
  • Pick Up & Play: Easy Service Solutions for Organ
    Composer/Editor Carson Cooman
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2019) pp. 23
  • The Sacred Organ Journal Volume 53 Number 5 may June 2019: A Bi-Monthly Anthology for Church Organists
    Composer/Editors Carson P. Cooman; Mark Sedio
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2019) pp. 6
  • A New Liturgical Year Volume 2
    Composer/Editors John A. Ferguson; M. Searle Wright
    Published By: Augsburg Fortress (2015) pp. 84
  • Augsburg Organ Library Marriage
    Composer/Editors Norma Aamodt-Nelson; M. Searle Wright
    Published By: Augsburg Fortress (2014) pp. 11
  • Easy Hymn Settings for Organ Volume 3
    Composer/Editor Ronald A. Nelson
    Published By: Augsburg Fortress (2013) pp. 40
  • Composer/Editor Dale Wood
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2013) pp. 28
  • The Organist's Library Volume 53
    Composer/Editor Lani Smith
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2013) pp. 29
  • The Sacred Organ Journal Volume 47 Number 5 May June 2013: A Bi-Monthly Anthology for Church Organists
    Composer/Editors Douglas E. Wagner; Mark Sedio
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2013) pp. 2
  • The Sacred Organ Journal Volume 47 Number 5 May June 2013: The Organist's Companion for the Church Year
    Composer/Editors Douglas E. Wagner; Mark Sedio
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2013) pp. 2
  • The Organ Portfolio Volume 75 Number 6 July August 2012: The Service Music Anthology for the Church Organist
    Composer/Editors Gilbert M. Martin; Lani Smith
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2012) pp. 29
  • 150 Hymn Preludes Book 1 Hymn Tune A - K: Short and Playable Pieces in Keys to Match All Popular Hymn Books
    Composer/Editor Christopher Tambling
    Published By: Kevin Mayhew Ltd. (2010) pp. 74, 78
  • The Organist's Companion Volume 30 Number 5 July 2008 General, Palm Sunday, Easter Sunday, Easter Season, Festivals: A Bi-monthly Journal of Quality Organ Music for the Practical Church Musician
    Composer/Editors Wayne Leupold; Gordon King
    Published By: Wayne Leupold Editions, Inc. (2008) pp. 3
  • The Organist In Season: Summer
    Composer/Editor Gilbert M. Martin
    Published By: Sacred Music Press (2007) pp. 45
  • The Sacred Organ Journal Volume 41 Number 5 May 2007: A Bi-Monthly Anthology for Church Organists
    Composer/Editors Gilbert M. Martin; Dale Wood
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2007) pp. 3
  • The David Cherwien Hymn Interpretation Series: Hymns of Serenity
    Composer/Editors David M. Cherwien; Gilbert M. Martin
    Published By: The Sacred Music Press (2005) pp. 6
  • Easy Hymn Settings Set 4 General (Communion)
    Composer/Editor Michael A. Burkhardt
    Published By: MorningStar Music Publishers, Inc. (2004) pp. 14
  • Handworks: For Manuals Only
    Composer/Editor Lynn Arthur Koch
    Published By: Augsburg Fortress (2004) pp. 20
  • Hymn Preludes for the Church Year Book 2: Ordinary Time
    Composer/Editor Noel Rawsthorne
    Published By: Kevin Mayhew Ltd. (2001) pp. 34
  • PedalPoint Volume 20 Number 4 July August September 2001: Church Music and Study Helps for Pianists and Organists
    Composer/Editors Sharron Lyon; Nancy Lyons Smith
    Published By: The Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (2001) pp. 17
  • Hope and Trust: A Hymn Sequence for General and Memorial Services: For Organ
    Composer/Editor Jerry van der Pol
    Published By: The H. W. Gray Company, Inc. (2000) pp. 2
  • Organ Miniatures: 200 Short Improvisations on Familiar Hymn Tunes
    Composer/Editor June Nixon
    Published By: Kevin Mayhew Ltd. (1999) pp. 28
  • Our Faith: Hymns of Comfort and Assurance For Organ
    Composer/Editors Eugene McCluskey; Patricia Lou Harris
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1999) pp. 16
  • OCP Organ Series Anthology Volume 2
    Composer/Editors Joanne Osborn; Randall DeBryun
    Published By: OCP Publications (1998) pp. 82
  • PedalPoint Volume 17 Number 3 April May June 1998: Church Music and Study Helps for Pianists and Organists
    Composer/Editors Sharron Lyon; Patricia Lou Harris
    Published By: The Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (1998) pp. 7
  • The Organist Volume 100 Number 6 January 1997: The Service Music Companion for Church Organists
    Composer/Editors Gregg Sewell; Patricia Lou Harris
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1997) pp. 81
  • The Organist Volume 101 Number 5 November 1997: The Service Music Companion for Church Organists
    Composer/Editors Gregg Sewell; William Garrett
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1997) pp. 53
  • 100 Hymn Preludes for Manuals
    Composer/Editor John Marsh
    Published By: Kevin Mayhew Ltd. (1996) pp. 159
  • Laudate! Volume 3: Organ Music Based on the 100 Most Popular Hymns in Worship III and Gather
    Composer/Editors James W. Kosnik; Rodger Kalbfleisch
    Published By: Concordia Publishing House (1996) pp. 56
  • The Good Shepherd: Organ Meditations on Psalm 23
    Composer/Editor Gilbert M. Martin
    Published By: The Sacred Music Press (1995) pp. 5
  • The Organ Portfolio Volume 57 Number 6 July 1994: A Bi-Monthly Anthology for Church Organists
    Composer/Editors Dorothy Wells; Lani Smith
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1994) pp. 3
  • Interpretations Based on Hymn-Tunes Book VIII: For Organ
    Composer/Editor David M. Cherwien
    Published By: Summa Productions (1991) pp. 30
  • The Impromptu Organist: Easy Music for the Church Service
    Composer/Editors Eugene McCluskey; James Denton
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1991) pp. 20
  • The Organ Music of Fred Bock: Volume 1 Six Hymn Tunes
    Composer/Editor Fred Bock
    Published By: Fred Bock Music Company (1991) pp. 19
  • PedalPoint Volume 10 Number 1 October November December 1990: Church Music and Study Helps for Pianists and Organists
    Composer/Editors Sharron Lyon; Sarah Linn Drye
    Published By: The Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention (1990) pp. 19
  • 11 Compositions for Organ Set IV
    Composer/Editor Charles W. Ore
    Published By: Concordia Publishing House (1989) pp. 23
  • Organ Hymn Arrangements: by Gilbert M. Martin
    Composer/Editor Gilbert M. Martin
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1989) pp. 24
  • The Organist Volume 93 Number 4 September 1989: A Bi-Monthly Publication for Church Organists
    Composer/Editors James Mansfield; James Denton
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1989) pp. 30
  • Hymns and Trumpetings: For Organ
    Composer/Editor Alice Jordan
    Published By: Van Ness Press, Inc. (1988) pp. 16
  • Brother James' Air: Organ Setting by Dale Wood
    Composer/Editor Dale Wood
    Published By: The Sacred Music Press (1986) pp. 4
  • Wood Works for Organ (Volume 1)
    Composer/Editor Dale Wood
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1986) pp. 5
  • Six Festive Postludes on Familiar Hymn Tunes
    Composer/Editor Randall DeBruyn
    Published By: OCP Publications (1985) pp. 17
  • The Concordia Hymn Prelude Series Volume 21: General: Ber - Cons
    Composer/Editors Herbert Gotsch; Rodger Kalbfleisch
    Published By: Concordia Publishing House (1983) pp. 22
  • O Worship the King: Hymn and Chorale Settings for the Organ
    Composer/Editor Raymond H. Haan
    Published By: Broadman Press (1979) pp. 10
  • The Sacred Organ Journal Volume 14 Number 1 September 1979: A Bi-Monthly Anthology for Church Organists
    Composer/Editors Howard Wells; Carl Simone
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1979) pp. 24
  • The Sacred Organ Folio No. 4
    Composer/Editor Gilbert M. Martin
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1971) pp. 27
  • The Sacred Organ Journal Volume 6 Number 2 November 1971: A Bi-Monthly Anthology for Church Organists
    Composer/Editor Gilbert M. Martin
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1971) pp. 27
  • Pastoral Preludes for Organ
    Composer/Editor Sam Batt Owens
    Published By: Abingdon Press (1958) pp. 9
  • Prelude on "Brother James Air": For the Organ
    Composer/Editor M. Searle Wright
    Published By: Oxford University Press (1958) pp. 1
  • A Meditation on 'Brother James's Air': For Organ
    Composer/Editor Harold Darke
    Published By: Oxford University Press (1948) pp. 2

Piano Solo

  • The Church Pianist Volume 36 Number 3 January February 2020: The Pianist's Companion for the Church Year
    Composer/Editors Larry Shackley; Tracey Craig McKibben
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2020) pp. 18
  • The Church Pianist Volume 37 Number 1 September October 2020: The Pianist's Companion for the Church Year
    Composer/Editors Larry Shackley; Lloyd A. Larson
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2020) pp. 29
  • Two-stanza, Hymn-based Voluntaries: For the Church Pianist
    Composer/Editor J. Bruce Ashton
    Published By: J. Bruce Ashton (2015) pp. 20
  • Hymn Tunes Great and Small: Inspiring Solos and Flexible Interludes for the Church Pianist
    Composer/Editor Lloyd A. Larson
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2014) pp. 16
  • I Have Heard You Calling in the Night: Piano Reflections for Memorial Services
    Composer/Editors Jane Holstein; Larry Shackley
    Published By: Hope Publishing Company (2014) pp. 10
  • Composer/Editor John Carter
    Published By: Hope Publishing Company (2007) pp. 13
  • Morning Has Broken: Hymn Tunes of the British Isles Arranged for Solo Piano
    Composer/Editor Penny Rodriguez
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2007) pp. 24
  • Celtic Tapestry: Piano Solos
    Composer/Editor Joseph M. Martin
    Published By: Malcolm Music (2003) pp. 41
  • Composer/Editor Larry Shackley
    Published By: Hope Publishing Company (2001) pp. 22
  • Marvelous Hymns for Piano: Nine Arrangements for Solo Piano
    Composer/Editor Bob Krogstad
    Published By: Prism Music, Inc. (1992) pp. 48
  • Mountain Promises: For Piano
    Composer/Editors Crystal Waters Mangrum; Anna Laura Page
    Published By: Van Ness Press, Inc. (1990) pp. 10
  • Wood Works: Nine Settings of Hymns and Folk Tunes for Piano
    Composer/Editor Dale Wood
    Published By: The Sacred Music Press (1989) pp. 4
  • The Exquisite Stylings of Ovid Young: For Solo Piano
    Composer/Editor Ovid Young
    Published By: Gaither Music Company, Inc. (1986) pp. 17
  • Let's Enjoy God Together: And Other Favorite Piano Solos by Tedd Smith
    Composer/Editor Tedd Smith
    Published By: Hope Publishing Company (1982) pp. 18

Piano and Organ Duet

  • Hymn Tune Duets for Organ and Piano
    Composer/Editor Dennis R. Johnson
    Published By: Belwin-Mills Publishing Corporation (1993) pp. 2

Piano and Organ Duet: Optionally as Piano Duet

  • Glorious Is Thy Name: For Two Pianos or Piano and Organ
    Composer/Editors Stephen Nielson; Ovid Young
    Published By: Church Street Music (1999) pp. 45

Instruments: Organ and Piano and Instrument(s)

  • Hymn Arrangements for Instrumental Ensembles
    Composer/Editor Terry Herald
    Published By: Concordia Publishing House (1994) pp. 52

Instruments: Organ and Optional Solo Instrument

  • A Still, Small Voice: Reflective Hymns Settings for Organ and Optional Solo Instrument
    Composer/Editor Stephen Walters
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2008) pp. 25

Instruments: Organ and Treble Instrument

  • 14 Pieces for Treble Instrument and Organ
    Composer/Editor Allan Mahnke
    Published By: Concordia Publishing House (1996) pp. 37

Instances

Instances (1 - 56 of 56)

A New Hymnal for Colleges and Schools #204

Ambassador Hymnal #569

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Ancient and Modern #799b

Anglican Hymns Old and New (Rev. and Enl.) #723b

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Baptist Hymnal 1991 #523

Breaking Bread (Vol. 39) #112

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Chalice Hymnal #3

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Chalice Hymnal #79

Chalice Hymnal #734a

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Christian Classics Ethereal Hymnary #7

Christian Science Hymnal Supplement #435

Christian Science Hymnal #452

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Christian Worship (2008) #766

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Christian Worship #553

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Church Hymnary (4th ed.) #16

Common Praise (1998) #498

Community of Christ Sings #246

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Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New #654b

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CPWI Hymnal #731

Discipleship Ministries Collection #144

Discipleship Ministries Collection #155

Discipleship Ministries Collection #188

El Himnario #414

El Himnario Presbiteriano #414

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Evangelical Lutheran Worship #778

Hymns for Today's Church (2nd ed.) #45b

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Hymns for Today's Church (2nd ed.) #591b

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Hymns of Glory, Songs of Praise #16

Hymns of the Saints #126

Hymns of the Saints #350

Libro de Liturgia y Cántico #549

Lutheran Worship #417

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Moravian Book of Worship #720

Nyimbo za Imani Yetu #267

Text

Psalms for All Seasons #4A

Audio

Psalms for All Seasons #23C

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Psalms for All Seasons #84E

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Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #161

Santo, Santo, Santo #398

Tune InfoText

Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal #546

Singing the Living Tradition #331

Singing the New Testament #67

Audio

Small Church Music #1166

Audio

Small Church Music #3710

The Hymnal 1982 #517

The Irish Presbyterian Hymbook #99

The New Century Hymnal #479

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The Worshiping Church #615

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Trinity Hymnal (Rev. ed.) #86

Voices United #748

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With Heart and Voice #9

Worship (3rd ed.) #612

Worship (4th ed.) #709

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Worship and Rejoice #73

Worship His Majesty #359

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Worship in Song #211

Include 7 pre-1979 instances
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