I Love Thy Kingdom Lord

Grade Level 3

Year: 2002

Type: Festival Prelude

Composer: James Anderson

Program Notes:

The text for this majestic and inspiring hymn was penned by Timothy Dwight, minister, poet, and President of Yale University.  In 1800 he published a new version of Isaac Watts' Psalms and Hymns, which included Dwight's original hymn, "I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord."  The melody “St. Thomas” was composed by Aaron Williams in 1763.  This arrangement attempts to capture some of the atmosphere of these stirring words:

I love Thy kingdom, Lord,

The house of Thine abode,

The church our blest redeemer saved

With His own precious blood.

American Instrumental Ensemble Series (AIES/ABES)