This is a new printing of the original music on sturdy, acid-free paper. 8 pages. Highest quality guaranteed. Size of music is
10.5" x 13.5". $8.00.
The hymn, originally written by Bartholomaeus Ringwaldt, is found in almost every German collection from
past centuries. Sometimes, incorrectly, is is ascribed to Martin Luther, hence “Luther’s Judgment Hymn.” Ringwaldt
was born in Franfort-am-Oder in 1530 and was a Lutheran minister. The tune associated (or “married to” in the words of the
great hymnologist, Erik Routley) with the text is also called “Luther’s Judgment Hymn,” and is often credited to Ringwaldt
as well. It first appeared in 1585 in six verses. Part of the popularity of this hymn and tune during the 19th century surely comes from
this memorable story: A gardener living in Saxony (Germany) in 1702, a time in which Saxony was Roman Catholic, escaped the elements of a
thunderstorm under a large oak tree. He sang this hymn, and at the close of the final stanza, a bolt of lightning struck the tree and killed him.
Henry Stephen Cutler (1824-1902) was known for serving in New York City churches and especially for bringing the idea of using men and boys
and choir vestments to this country. He had seen the effects of The Oxford Movement in England while visiting there and worked to share this with
American churches. Once popular, neither text nor tune is found in today’s hymnals. This of course presents the opportunity
for you to have your choir sing the hymn
which I provide in this PDF for you to duplicate freely.
You can then play Cutler’s variations as new music ... from 1878! Moderate difficulty.