45. Lord, dismiss us with Thy blessing
John Fawcett, 1740-1817
This popular dismission hymn is ascribed to the English Baptist minister, John Fawcett, who is best known as the author of “Blest be the tie that binds.” The hymn has undergone some alteration with the passing of the years. The third stanza originally read:
“So whene’er the signal’s given
“Us from earth to call away,
“Borne on angels’ wings to heaven
“Glad the summons to obey,
“May we ever
“Reign with Christ in endless day.”
For comments on John Fawcett see [Hymn 41].
MUSIC. SICILIAN MARINERS is a familiar tune of unknown origin which has been set to various hymns, including the Latin “O Sanctissima, O Purissima,” and the German “O du fröliche, o du selige.” The tune, sometimes called “Sicily,” is not known in Sicily today.