Bristol (Timothy Swan)

Music files

L E G E N D

Disclaimer

How to download

ICON	SOURCE
	Pdf
	Midi
	MusicXML
	File details
	Help

• (Posted 2016-05-04)  CPDL #39538:       

Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2016-05-04).   Score information: Letter, 2 pages, 80 kB   Copyright: Public Domain

Edition notes: 1802 version. Oval note edition. Another stanza included from Watts' paraphrase.

• (Posted 2016-05-04)  CPDL #39537:   

Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2016-05-04).   Score information: 7 x 10 inches (landscape), 2 pages, 80 kB   Copyright: Public Domain

Edition notes: 1802 version. Note shapes added (4-shape). Another stanza included, selected from Watts' paraphrase.

• (Posted 2016-05-03)  CPDL #39532:       

Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2016-05-03).   Score information: Letter, 2 pages, 65 kB   Copyright: Public Domain

Edition notes: Oval note edition, as written in 1783. All three stanzas included from Addison's paraphrase.

• (Posted 2016-05-03)  CPDL #39531:   

Editor: Barry Johnston (submitted 2016-05-03).   Score information: 7 x 10 inches (landscape), 2 pages, 95 kB   Copyright: Public Domain

Edition notes: 1783 version. Note shapes added (4-shape). All three stanzas included from Addison's paraphrase.

General Information

Title: Bristol
First Line: The lofty pillars of the sky
Composer: Timothy Swan
Lyricist: Joseph Addison

Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred   Meter: 88. 88 (L.M.)

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1783 in Brownson's Select Harmony, 1783, p. 78; revised 1802
Description: Words published with the music in 1783 are by Joseph Addison, 1712, a loose paraphrase of Psalm 19, in three stanzas.
Bristol was significantly revised by Swan in 1802, changing many measures, and using different words. The words used in 1802 are by Isaac Watts, 1717, paraphrase of Psalm 24, in seven stanzas; Swan used the fifth stanza in his composition.

Original text and translations

Original text and translations may be found at Psalm 24. (1802)

The work of an Almighty hand by Joseph Addison, 1712 (1783)

English text 1. The lofty pillars of the sky, And spacious concave raised on high, Spangled with stars, a shining frame, Their great original proclaim: The unwearied sun, from day to day, Pours knowledge on his golden ray, And publishes to every land The work of an Almighty hand.

2. Soon as the evening shades prevail, The moon takes up the wondrous tale, And nightly to the listening earth Repeats the story of her birth; While all the stars that round her burn, And all the planets in their turn, Confirm the tidings as they roll, And spread the truth from pole to pole.

3. What though in solemn silence all Move round the dark terrestrial ball? What though [can] no real voice nor sound Amid their radiant orbs be found? In reason’s ear they all rejoice, And utter forth a glorious voice; Forever singing as they shine, “The hand that made us is divine."