WOODLANDS is a perfect match for the bold text. Walter Greatorex (b. Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England, 1877; d. Bournemouth, Hampshire, England, 1949) composed this tune in 1916, and it was published in the Public School Hymn Book in 1919. The tune's title refers to one of the schoolhouses at Gresham's School, Holt, Norfolk, where Greatorex was director of music from 1911-1936. Before that he served as assistant music master at Uppingham School in Rutland (1900-1910). Greatorex's musical education began as a chorister at King's College, Cambridge, England, and he received his university music training at St. John's College, Cambridge.

A dramatic tune, WOODLANDS is marked by irresistible melodic gestures and by the "breathless" cadence of line 2, which propels us forward into line 3. The alternate harmonization provided is his original; use that for stanza 4. Sing in strong unison throughout with a full organ and brass for festive services. Try having the full choir sing up an octave for the final two measures of stanzas 3 and 4.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook