Today in 821 – Theodulph of Orleans Died

Theodulph was born into the Italian nobility, but chose a life of religious service. In 781, Charlemagne appointed him Bishop of Orleans, France. Theodulf was a theologian, and an able administrator. He deplored the ignorance of many of the clergy, and sought to educate them. But his work came to an abrupt end when he was accused of complicity in a conspiracy with King Bernard of Italy. Theodulph was deposed, exiled and imprisoned. There, for several years, his faith apparently sustained him. He may have died in prison, though some records suggest he was exonerated and released, but died before he could be reinstated.

Theodulph was also a skilled poet, producing six volumes of verse. (He even wrote many letters in poetic form!) The one hymn for which he is known today is the Palm Sunday hymn, All Glory, Laud and Honour, written about a year before he died. It says:

All glory, laud and honour,
To Thee, Redeemer, King,
To whom the lips of children
Made sweet hosannas ring.
Thou art the King of Israel,
Thou David’s royal Son,
Who in the Lord’s name comest,
The King and blessèd One.

The company of angels
Are praising Thee on high,
And mortal men and all things
Created make reply.
The people of the Hebrews
With palms before Thee went;
Our prayer and praise and anthems
Before Thee we present.

Strong Words About Music: Over the years, many statements have been made about music that are worth thinking about–even when we may have some reservations about them. Check out some “strong words about music.”

(2) Today in 1857 – Christian Burke Born

Christian Caroline Anna Burke was an English poetess who lived in London. In 1903 she wrote a poem she called A Mother’s Prayer. The next year it became the hymn Lord of Life and King of Glory. If you are looking for a meaningful hymn to use with a Mother’s Day service, you might consider this one.

Lord of life and King of glory,
Who didst deign a child to be,
Cradled on a mother’s bosom,
Throned upon a mother’s knee:
For the children Thou hast given
We must answer unto Thee!

Grant us, then, pure hearts and patient,
That in all we do or say
Little souls our deeds may copy,
And be never led astray;
Little feet our steps may follow
In a safe and narrow way.