Barthelemon at Vauxhall
Francois Hippolite Barthelemon, first-fiddler at Vauxhall Gardens,
composed what was probably the most popular morning hymn-tune ever
written. It was formerly sung, full-voiced, every Sunday in most
churches, to Bishop Ken’s words, but is now seldom heard.
He said: ‘Awake my soul, and with the sun,’ . . .
And paused upon the bridge, his eyes due east,
Where was emerging like a full-robed priest
The irradiate globe that vouched the dark as done.
It lit his face-the weary face of one
Who in the adjacent gardens charged his string,
Nightly, with many a tuneful tender thing,
Till stars were weak, and dancing hours outrun.
And then were threads of matin music spun
In trial tones as he pursued his way:
‘This is a morn,’ he murmured, ‘well begun:
This strain to Ken will count when I am clay!’
And count it did; till, caught by echoing lyres,
It spread to galleried naves and mighty quires.
