MUSIC. EVAN was originally a setting by Wm. H. Havergal for a poem by Burns, “O Thou dread power who reign’st above.” Lowell Mason took a part of the melody and arranged it, as here, for a psalm tune, publishing it in New Carmina Sacra, 1850, under the name “Eva.” It might be added that Havergal disapproved of the arrangement as a “sad estrangement.” In spite of this, Mason’s arrangement has remained popular.
Rev. W. H. Havergal, 1793-1870, graduated from Oxford and was ordained in the Church of England. He became the rector of a church, but due to a carriage accident which resulted in concussion of the brain and injury to his eyesight, he resigned his church and devoted himself to the study of church music. In this field, he made a significant contribution by his compositions and his efforts at purifying and elevating the music used in the church. His daughter, Frances Ridley Havergal (see [126]), wrote many hymns, six of which are found in the Hymnary.
154. Faith of our fathers, living still
Frederick W. Faber, 1814-63
A stirring hymn of faith bringing to mind the story of the Christian martyrs and pledging loyalty till death to the faith of our fathers. The last stanza, suggesting the preaching of the faith through “kindly words and virtuous life,” is especially fine and Christian in spirit.
By “faith of our fathers” we mean, as we sing the hymn, the truth contained in the Gospels, taught by the Apostles, and brought again into clear light at the Reformation. But the hymn originally, written by a Roman Catholic, had reference to the Roman Catholic faith. The author, an Englishman, wrote one verse as follows:
Faith of our fathers! Mary’s prayers
Shall win our country back to Thee!
And through the truth that comes from God
England indeed shall then be free.