Father, let us dedicate

What has become a classic New Year hymn was written by Lawrence Tuttiett, and published in his Germs of Thought on the Sunday Services, 1864. Its first version was in the singular (‘… let me dedicate’); the revision here was first drafted by Michael Perry for HTC, but the present book reverts to ‘glorify …’ (from ‘glory to …’) in each 8th line. Other revised phrases are ‘in whatever worldly state’ (stz 1); ‘nor withholdest aught that may’ (2); ‘and in deepest woe pray on’ (3); ‘joys that yet are mine … brighter rays may shine’ (4). The difficulty of revising, in addition to smaller changes already made by earlier editors, led more than one group to wonder about the hymn’s continuing usefulness, only to conclude that no hymn is quite like it. A variant 2nd line, presumably aimed at widening the hymn’s usefulness, appears in some early 20th-cent books: ‘all my times…’.

The almost inevitable tune DEDICATION, named from the first line, was composed by George Macfarren and appeared in the 1875 edition of A&M. At least two other hymn tunes (and one song) have been given this name.

b Colyton, nr Seaton, S Devon 1825, d St Andrews, Fifeshire 1897. Christ’s Hospital (public sch), W Sussex, and King’s Coll London; declining to follow his father by training for the medical profession, as first intended, he was ordained (CofE) 1848. He became Vicar of Lee Marston, Warwicks, in 1854, and then the Episcopalian incumbent of St Andrews, Fife, 1870–93. His last years were spent at Pitlochry (now in Perth and Kinross), but he died on a visit to St Andrews, the scene of his longest ministry. He published Hymns for Churchmen in 1854, and 8 years later, Hymns for the Children of the Church, also other verses and prayer collections. Julian mentions some 16 of his hymns and applauds their smooth rhythms, direct aim, simple language and ‘deep earnestness’, but only one has made a lasting impact. No.237.