Born in Bournemouth, Hampshire, and brought up at Highnam Court, Gloucestershire, he was the son of an amateur artist, and was educated at Eton and Exeter College, Oxford. He studied with the English-born composer Henry Hugo Pierson in Stuttgart, and with William Sterndale Bennett and the pianist Edward Dannreuther in London. His first major works appeared in 1880: a piano concerto and a choral setting of scenes from Shelley's Prometheus Unbound. The first performance of the latter has often been held to mark the start of a "renaissance" in English classical music. Parry scored a greater contemporary success, however, with the ode Blest Pair of Sirens (1887) which established him as the leading English choral composer of his day. Among the most successful of a long series of similar works were the Ode on Saint Cecilia's Day (1889), the oratorios Judith (1888) and Job (1892), the psalm-setting De Profundis (1891) and The Pied Piper of Hamelin (1905). His orchestral works from this period include four symphonies, a set of Symphonic Variations in E minor, the Overture to an Unwritten Tragedy (1893) and the Elegy for Brahms (1897).
Parry joined the staff of the Royal College of Music in 1884 and was appointed its director in 1894, a post he held until his death. In 1900 he succeeded John Stainer as professor of music at Oxford University. His later music includes a series of six "ethical cantatas", experimental works in which he hoped to supersede the traditional oratorio and cantata forms. They were generally unsuccessful with the public, though Elgar admired The Vision of Life (1907) and The Soul's Ransom (1906) has had several modern performances. He resigned his Oxford appointment on doctor's advice in 1908 and in the last decade of his life produced some of his finest works, including the Symphonic Fantasia '1912' (also called Symphony No. 5), the Ode on the Nativity (1912), Jerusalem (1916) and the Songs of Farewell (1916–1918).
Influenced as a composer principally by Bach and Brahms, Parry evolved a powerful diatonic style which itself greatly influenced future English composers such as Elgar and Vaughan Williams. His own full development as a composer was almost certainly hampered by the immense amount of work he took on, but his energy and charisma, not to mention his abilities as a teacher and administrator, helped establish art music at the centre of English cultural life. He collaborated with the poet Robert Bridges, and was responsible for many books on music, including The Evolution of the Art of Music (1896), the third volume of the Oxford History of Music (1907) and a study of Bach (1909).
The site of his house in Richmond Hill, Bournemouth, next door to The Square is marked with a blue plaque.
I was glad
Sir Hubert Parry Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:
Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.
For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
Sir Hubert Parry's song "I Was Glad" is a choral anthem based on a Psalm. The anthem has its origins from England’s coronation anthem, but it became popular worldwide after it was used in the royal wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in 2011. The lyrics of the song are inspired by Psalm 122, which is focused on the joys of pilgrimage to Jerusalem. In the song, the singer’s joy is uplifted by the invitation to go into the house of the Lord in Jerusalem. The singer highlights the close-knit nature of Jerusalem and how significant it is to those who follow the testimony of Israel. The city is a symbol of unity that brings people together at the thrones of judgment where the house of David is located, and one can depend on the peace and security of the city.
The singer goes on to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and all those who love the city. He wishes peace and prosperity within the walls and palaces of Jerusalem. Finally, the singer reveals that the love for his brethren and companions has given him the courage to wish peace and safety in the in Jerusalem. He strives to work toward the good of Jerusalem through his faith and belief in the Almighty.
Line by Line Meaning
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.
I felt immense joy when I was invited to enter the house of the Lord.
Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.
We will stand in the gates of Jerusalem with our feet.
Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:
Jerusalem is a city built closely together.
Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.
All tribes of the Lord in Israel come together to give thanks to the Lord.
For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
There are thrones of judgment in the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and those who love Jerusalem will prosper.
Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
May there be peace within the walls and prosperity within the palaces of Jerusalem.
For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
I say, may there be peace within Jerusalem for the sake of my brethren and companions.
Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.
Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek the good of Jerusalem.
Writer(s): David G. Meacock, Library Arrangement, Charles Hubert Parry, Biblical
Contributed by Ryan L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jennymaske2942
1 I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD!"
2 Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!
3 Jerusalem-built as a city that is bound firmly together,
4 to which the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
5 There thrones for judgment were set, the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! "May they be secure who love you!
7 Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!"
8 For my brothers and companions' sake I will say, "Peace be within you!"
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good. - Psalms 122
@pawejabonka5095
It's so sad and yet surreal that you guys in the UK will hear this hymn in its original context for the first time in 70 years and with double Vivats - Vivat Regina Camilla and Vivat Rex Carolus. Though I'm Polish, I'm sure our TV will broadcast their coronation and I'll definitely watch it. And rest in peace Regina Elisabetha, you've already met the King of kings.
@Maino88
What lovely sentiments, Pawel.
@pawejabonka5095
@@johanndominik2032 nah, in this case we use Nominativus since vivat is the predicate and Carolus is the subject. If vivat was in in imperative, then it would be Carole in Vocativus but it's not in this case
@johanndominik2032
@@pawejabonka5095 Oh, you are completely right. Thanks.
@campbellmays9900
Wouldn’t it be Vivat Rex Carolus Tertius? Or is the number not used?
@pawejabonka5095
@@campbellmays9900 I think it's not used, vivats for George VI were simply "vivat Rex Georgius", not "Georgius Sextus"
@evelyn8467
Imagine in heaven they make even better music ....✨
@viviennebirchall8884
Watching the very young Elizabeth walk down the Abbey to be crowned to this glorious music and shouts of Vivat Vivat sends shivers through me. Wonderful, powerful, uplifting music.
@angelacooper2661
My father was finishing his National Service in 1953, aged twenty. Mother was nearly seventeen and a grammar school sixth former at the time, so both old enough to remember it very well!
@JRNOAPM
its comforting to see so many views on such a beautiful piece. im glad i am not alone in my reverence for such great music... im 21 and i love this sort of music.