Almighty and everlasting God
Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625), English composer and organist of the late Tudo… Read Full Bio ↴Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625), English composer and organist of the late Tudor and early Jacobean periods, a leading composer in the England of his day.
Born in Oxford, England, he sang in the choir of King's College, Cambridge between 1596 and 1598, then he entered the university in 1598 and achieved the degree of Bachelor of Music in 1606. James I appointed him a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal, where he served as an organist from at least 1615 until his death. In 1625 he became senior organist at the Chapel Royal, with Thomas Tomkins as junior organist. He also held positions as keyboard player in the privy chamber of the court of Prince Charles (later King Charles I), and organist at Westminster Abbey. He died an early death in Canterbury of apoplexy, and a monument to him was built in Canterbury Cathedral.
One of the most versatile English composers of his time, Gibbons wrote a quantity of keyboard works, around thirty fantasias for viols, a number of madrigals (the best-known being The Silver Swan), and many popular verse anthems. His choral music is distinguished by his complete mastery of counterpoint, combined with his wonderful gift for melody. Perhaps his most well-known verse anthem is 'This is the record of John', which sets an Advent text for solo countertenor alternating with full chorus. He also produced two major settings of Evensong, the Second, and the 'Short' service. The former is an extended composition, combining verse and full sections, and the latter possesses a beautifully expressive Nunc Dimittis. Gibbons' full anthems include the expressive 'O Lord in thy wrath', and the Palm Sunday setting of 'O clap your hands together' for 8 voices. He contributed six pieces to the first printed collection of music in England, Parthenia (of which he was by far the youngest of the three contributors), published circa 1611.
Gibbons was the "favorite composer" of the Canadian pianist Glenn Gould:
"Ever since my teen-age years his music has moved me more deeply than any other sound experience I can think of."
To this day, his obit service is commemorated every year in King's College Chapel.
Born in Oxford, England, he sang in the choir of King's College, Cambridge between 1596 and 1598, then he entered the university in 1598 and achieved the degree of Bachelor of Music in 1606. James I appointed him a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal, where he served as an organist from at least 1615 until his death. In 1625 he became senior organist at the Chapel Royal, with Thomas Tomkins as junior organist. He also held positions as keyboard player in the privy chamber of the court of Prince Charles (later King Charles I), and organist at Westminster Abbey. He died an early death in Canterbury of apoplexy, and a monument to him was built in Canterbury Cathedral.
One of the most versatile English composers of his time, Gibbons wrote a quantity of keyboard works, around thirty fantasias for viols, a number of madrigals (the best-known being The Silver Swan), and many popular verse anthems. His choral music is distinguished by his complete mastery of counterpoint, combined with his wonderful gift for melody. Perhaps his most well-known verse anthem is 'This is the record of John', which sets an Advent text for solo countertenor alternating with full chorus. He also produced two major settings of Evensong, the Second, and the 'Short' service. The former is an extended composition, combining verse and full sections, and the latter possesses a beautifully expressive Nunc Dimittis. Gibbons' full anthems include the expressive 'O Lord in thy wrath', and the Palm Sunday setting of 'O clap your hands together' for 8 voices. He contributed six pieces to the first printed collection of music in England, Parthenia (of which he was by far the youngest of the three contributors), published circa 1611.
Gibbons was the "favorite composer" of the Canadian pianist Glenn Gould:
"Ever since my teen-age years his music has moved me more deeply than any other sound experience I can think of."
To this day, his obit service is commemorated every year in King's College Chapel.
Almighty and everlasting God
Orlando Gibbons Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Orlando Gibbons:
Drop Drop Slow Tears Drop, drop, slow tears, And bathe those beauteous feet Which…
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
More Genres
No Artists Found
More Artists
Load All
No Albums Found
More Albums
Load All
No Tracks Found
Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Search results not found
Song not found
CollegeWork
I'll never forget singing this piece in college chamber choir the day my brother had his kidney transplant. My sister and I comprised the soprano section, and we were shaky and overwrought. After a rather painful first few bars, our choir director stopped us and started asking us to try the section again, with a rather confused look on his face. We explained what was going on. The altos came over to give us hugs, and our director--one of the best music professors ever and a great man--very kindly gave us a minute to recover, and encouraged us to think of the words of this motet as a sort of anthem for our family's suffering during my brother's three years of illness. Mercifully look upon our infirmities!
2me4my5
Almighty and everlasting God,
mercifully look upon our infirmities,
and in all our dangers and necessities
stretch forth thy right hand to help and defend us,
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Jack Ojee
Just lovely 😍
Cousin Hebe
This is truly stunning - I'm learning it with my choir and thoroughly enjoying it!
WILLIAM TELL
Fantastic piece. Words from the old Book of Common Prayer (it's one of the Collects).
Rain Adkins
Of Evening Prayer, if memory serves.
Rudi Spermon
Beautiful. I want to sing it with our four men's choir.
Daria Atkinson
a beautiful piece sung beautifully
David Jenkins
Beautiful!
NihilNominis
Among the most beautiful Amens ever penned.