Music Notes for The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary — August 18, 2024

Tell out, my soul – Text: Song of Mary (Luke 1:46-56); para. Timothy Dudley-Smith (b. 1926). Music: Walter Greatorex (1877-1949)

Timothy Dudley-Smith was born in Manchester on December 26, 1926. A graduate of Pembroke College at Cambridge, he served as a parish priest, Archdeacon of Norwich and then as Bishop of Thetford from 1981 to 1991. He has written about four hundred hymns, including this paraphrase of the Magnificat.

The dramatic character of “Woodlands” makes it a perfect tune for the bold text of the Magnificat and Dudley-Smith’s paraphrase. Walter Greatorex, who composed this tune in 1916, began his musical education as a chorister at King’s College, Cambridge, and received his university music training at St. John’s College, Cambridge.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice;
tender to me the promise of his word;
in God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his name!
Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;
his mercy sure, from age to age the same;
his holy name—the Lord, the mighty one.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might!
Powers and dominions lay their glory by;
proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.

Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word!
Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
to children’s children and forevermore!

Gerald Harder