Herbert Howells

Lord, By Whose Breath All Souls And Seeds Are Living

The poetry set by Howells was written by Scottish poet Andrew Young, a prolific writer of hymns who is perhaps best known for 'There Is A Happy Land'. This major/modal hymn is particularly appropriate for Harvest Festival and hasbeen used effectively as an introit and collection hymn. Herbert Howells is a giant of 20th century Anglican church music, the remainder of whose oeuvre is in the process of gaining new appreciation. He wrote this hymn as acommission for The Cambridge Hymnal, published in 1967, a collection that combine the novel forms of sung worship with traditional tunes.