On 17-Dec-2009, nene <nenepil(nospam)@excite.com> wrote:
> Title: Non Nobis Domine
I was very disappointed with "Non Nobis Domine"! But *please*, nothing
to do with the poster, or even the music and singers! When I was a
young boy I attended an English Grammar School, my father was working in
England for a long time so all of the family joined him. I learned the
English language very well when I was young but lack of use in late
years, maybe I am not so good.
However, I always remember one year's "Speech Day" as it was called
which was the end of term prize giving for the whole school and which
took place in a local auditorium and was attended by not only all of the
school pupils and teachers but also parents and local dignitaries. This
year the guest of honor was the local Member of Parliament, Mr. Alfred
Robens, who later became a government minister and he presented the
prizes. I remember how proud I was when I went to collect my certificate
for passing the English Language GCE Ordinary Level Certificate, which
if I remeber correctly, the examination was set by the Board of Durham
University and was reputed to be one of the most stringent in England. I
had been entered in to this examination one year early by the English
tutor who had great faith in me. I also remember how disappointed I was
when Mr. Robens looked down at the certificate he was about to present
to me on which only a single entry was made, and he said to me, "Well,
never mind, it is a start"! I wanted to explain to him that I had sat my
examinations one year early at a young age and would not sit more until
another year was passed. (And no doubt a different guest would appear to
present certificates and prizes.)
So, why am *I* disappointed with Non Nobis Domine?
Well, after the regular school hymn (which was "Jerusalem") we had to
rehearse every year another hymn to sing at the Speech Day. The year I
passed my English Language examination early we had rehearsed for many
months a hymn which our music mistress said was "Non Nobus Domine" and
through all the intervening years I have never, ever forgot the stirring
words we learned over many lessons:
Non Nobus Domine,
Not unto us, Oh Lord,
The praise and glory be
Of every deed and word.
For in Thy judgement lies,
To crown or bring to nought,
All knowledge and device
That man has reached or wrought.
It was not even sung to the same tune. I would love to hear a school
choir singing this so vibrant hymn once more.
--
A Listener
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