An unusual version of a favourite hymn, chosen by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip for their wedding, will be sung at Her Late Majesty’s funeral.
Psalm 23, set to Crimond, is one of three hymns chosen for the State Funeral.
The version of ‘The Lord’s My Shepherd’ was sung in Westminster Abbey on November 20th 1947 for the couple’s marriage. The Scottish melody was, at the time, largely unknown in England but became much more popular after being used at the royal wedding.
It will provide a poignant nod to the late Prince Philip and the 73 year marriage of the couple which became a bedrock of the House of Windsor.
The tune was written by Jessie Seymour Irvine in the 19th century.
There is also a mention of her beloved husband’s name in one of the readings. Liz Truss, the Prime Minister, will read from the Gospel of St. John. The reading, from Chapter 14, contains the lesson ”Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life” but makes reference to several of Jesus’ disciples. It finishes ”Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.”
The hymns also include ‘The Day Thou Gavest Lord is Ended’ and ‘Love Divine, All Loves Excelling’. The latter was sung at the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales in 2011 and at the blessing of the marriage of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in 2005.
The other reading at the State Funeral will be given by Baroness Scotland, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, and is taken from the First Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians. Psalm 42 will also be sung, beginning with the line ”Like as the hart desireth the water-brooks : so longeth my soul after thee, O God.”
The sermon will be given by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The funeral will end with the Last Post, Reveille and the National Anthem.
The State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II takes place at 11am on September 19th 2022.
