Into thy hands, O lord, into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit, into thy hands, O Lord. Except the Lord keep the house the watchman waketh but in vain. The Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep peace: the whole earth is at rest and is quiet. Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit, into thy hands, O Lord. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help. My help cometh even from the Lord who hath made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved. He that keepeth thee shall not sleep. Behold, he that keepeth thee shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord himself is my keeper, he shall preserve thee from all evil: yea, it is even he that shall keep thy soul from this time forth forevermore: from this time forth forevermore. Into thy hands I commend my spirit, into thy hands, O Lord.
Pilgrim's Progress
Song Cycle by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872 - 1958)
1. Watchful's Song  [sung text checked 1 time]
Authorship:
- by Bible or other Sacred Texts , from the Book of Psalms and the Book of Isaiah
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Researcher for this page: Barbara Miller2. The Song of the Pilgrims  [sung text checked 1 time]
Who would true valour see, Let him come hither; One here will constant be Come wind, come weather. There's no discouragement Shall make him once relent His first avowed intent To be a Pilgrim. Who so beset him round With dismal stories, Do but themselves confound, His strength the more is. No lion can him fright, He'll with a giant fight, But he will have a right To be a Pilgrim. Hobgoblin, nor foul fiend Can daunt his spirit; He knows he at the end Shall life inherit. Then fancies fly away, He'll fear not what men say, He'll labour night and day To be a pilgrim.
Authorship:
- by John Bunyan (1628 - 1688)
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Researcher for this page: Barbara Miller3. The Pilgrim's Psalm  [sung text checked 1 time]
I will put on the whole arm our of light that I may be able to stand in the evil day. The shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the sword of the spirit. God girdeth me with strength of war and maketh my way perfect. Yea, I will smite mine enemies, they shall not be able to stand, but fall under my feet. Blest be the Lord my strength that teacheth my hands to war and my fingers to fight, my hope and my fortress, my castle and my deliverer, my defence in whom I trust. I will not be afraid of the terror by night, nor for the arrow that flieth by day, for thou, Lord art my hope, Thou hast set my house of defence very high. I will go forward valiant in fight, and put to flight the armies of evil. He that overcometh shall inherit all things.
Authorship:
- by Bible or other Sacred Texts , adapted from the Epistles of St. Paul and the Book of Psalms
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Researcher for this page: Barbara Miller4. The Song of the Leaves of Life and the Water of Life  [sung text checked 1 time]
Unto him that overcometh shall be given of the tree of Life which is in the midst of the Paradise of God. On either side of the river groweth the Tree of Life, the Leaves of the Tree are for thy healing. In the midst of that fair City flows the river of Water of Life clear as crystal Who so will, let him take of the Water of Life freely. Who so drinketh of this water shall never thirst. Take thou the Leaves of the Tree of Life. So shalt thou enter in through the Gates of the City.
Authorship:
- by Bible or other Sacred Texts , adapted from the Book of Revelations
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Researcher for this page: Barbara Miller5. The Song of Vanity Fair  [sung text checked 1 time]
Come and buy from our booths all the pleasures of man [ ... ]
Authorship:
- by Ursula Vaughan Williams, née Joan Ursula Penton Lock (1911 - 2007), as Ursula Wood, copyright ©
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This text may be copyright, so we will not display it until we obtain permission to do so or discover it is public-domain.6. The Woodcutter's Song  [sung text checked 1 time]
He that is down [needs]1 fear no fall, He that is low, no pride; He that is humble, ever shall Have God to be his Guide. I am content with what I have, Little be it or much; And, Lord, contentment still I crave, Because Thou savest such. Fullness to such a burden is, That go on pilgrimage; Here little, and hereafter bliss, Is best from age to age.
Authorship:
- by John Bunyan (1628 - 1688), "The Shepherd Boy sings in the Valley of Humiliation"
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View original text (without footnotes)1 Edmunds, Vaughan Williams: "need"
Research team for this page: Barbara Miller , Garrett Medlock [Guest Editor]
7. The Bird's Song  [sung text checked 1 time]
The Lord is my shepherd: therefore can I lack nothing. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Authorship:
- by Bible or other Sacred Texts [an adaptation]
Based on:
- a text in Latin by Bible or other Sacred Texts , "Psalmus 22 (23)"
Based on:
- a text in Hebrew (עברית) by Bible or other Sacred Texts , "Psalm 23"
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Researcher for this page: Barbara Miller