Sweet June Days, The
Hymn composed by
Ralph Vaughan WilliamsContextual information
Tune Name
FOREST GREEN
Tune Name
Text Meter
C.M.D.
10.9.10.9
Song Composer
Ralph Vaughan WilliamsHymn Arranger
Composer Background information
Spiritual tags
Other tags
Lyricist Background information
Born in Portland, Maine, Samuel Longfellow (1819-1892) was ordained as a Unitarian minister and served congregations in Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. In 1846, he and Rev. Samuel Johnson compiled and edited A Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion, often revising lyrics to meet the needs of churches with increasingly liberal theologies. Devoted partners for 40 years, Longfellow and Johnson enlarged upon their work in 1864 with Hymns of the Spirit. Noting the difference between Samuel and his famous older brother Henry Wadsworth, a friend remembered, “It was said that while Henry Longfellow was made a poet, Samuel was born one, and also it was said that he was good enough to be a saint and interesting enough to be a sinner. He was certainly a mystic.” (prepared by Rev. Norman Allen)
Arranger Background information
Lyrics
The sweet June days are come again; once more the glad earth yields
its golden wealth of rip’ning grain, and breath of clover fields,
and deep’ning shade of summer woods, and glow of summer air,
and winging thoughts and happy moods of love and joy and prayer.
The sweet June days are come again; the birds are on the wing;
bright anthems, in their merry strain, unconsciously they sing.
Oh, how our cup o’er brims with good these happy summer days;
for all the joys of field and wood we lift our song of praise.
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