Heavenly choir, assist our strain (Thomas Shaw)

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  • (Posted 2019-07-30)  CPDL #54934:  Network.png
Editor: Christopher Shaw (submitted 2019-07-30).   Score information: A4, 2 pages, 62 kB   Copyright: Personal
Edition notes: Please click on the link for preview/playback/PDF download.

General Information

Title: Heavenly choir, assist our strain
Composer: Thomas Shaw
Lyricist: William Henry Irelandcreate page

Number of voices: 2vv   Voicing: SS
Genre: SacredAnthem

Language: English
Instruments: Organ

First published: 1817
Description: "An Anthem on the lamented Death of Her Royal Highness, The Princess Charlotte of Wales. As performed at the Funeral Service in the Church of the Oratoire, Rue St Honore a Paris. The words by W. H. Ireland, and composed by Thomas Shaw, late Leader of the Band at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and Vauxhall." London, 1817. Princess Charlotte Augusta had died suddenly in childbirth.

External websites:

Original text and translations

English.png English text

Heavenly choir, assist our strain,
Seraphs leave your blissful throne;
Wake the notes to thrilling pain,
Embalm our anguished moan.
On your downy pinions bear
Charlotte's spirit, we deplore;
Beaming now your brightest care,
Radiant angel evermore.

Hover round us, spirits blest,
Shed the dew of heaven benign;
Let the cherub babe at rest
Sweetly on our sorrows shine.
In the mother's fond embrace
Waft from high the balmy store;
That devotion may enchase
Griefs our fervent bosoms pour.

Holy God! Almighty king!
May thy pity shield our grief;
Shade us with thy fost'ring wing
And in mercy yield relief.
Prostrate we thy will obey,
And with contrite tears implore
Mercy's light to guide our way,
Charlotte beams on us no more.