This edition was prepared by Edmund Gooch — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Begin, my tongue, some heavenly theme
Staff Notation • Sacred, Hymns
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Begin, my tongue, some heavenly theme by Henry Searle — Lyrics
Begin, my tongue, some heavenly theme,
And speak some boundless thing;
The mighty works, or mightier name
Of our eternal king.
Tell of his wondrous faithfulness,
And sound his pow'r abroad;
Sing the sweet promise of his grace,
And the performing God.
Proclaim salvation from the Lord
For wretched dying men:
His hand has writ the sacred word
With an immortal pen.
Engrav'd as in eternal brass
The mighty promise shines,
Nor can the pow'rs of darkness rase
Those everlasting lines.
He that can dash whole worlds to death.
And make them when he please,
Read full lyrics
About Begin, my tongue, some heavenly theme
This anthem for SATB choir sets a text by Henry Searle, a hymn which begins by calling the tongue to proclaim heavenly themes and the mighty name of God. The lyrics speak of God's faithfulness, power, and grace, and the salvation He offers. The words emphasize the enduring nature of His promises, which are described as 'engrav'd as in eternal brass'. The hymn reflects on God's absolute power, noting that His word of grace is as potent as that which created the universe.
