About Coronation

The text "All hail the power of Jesus name" was written by Edward Perronet while he served as a missionary in India and it first appeared in the November, 1779 issue of the Gospel Magazine. These words have has been translated into virtually every language in which Christianity is known. Oliver Holden was an 18th C American composer and compiler of hymn tunes, among his other varied professional interests. Possessed of only a few months of formal schooling, he worked as a carpenter, real estate agent, landowner, legislator and pastor. Among his books on sacred music are The American Harmony (1793) and Union Harmony, or a Universal Collection of Sacred Music (1793 & 1801); he also taught 'singing schools' in the same fashion as William Billings. Holden wrote many hymns, of which Coronation - written specifically for this text - is the most well known, and regarded as the only American hymn tune from that era still in everyday use.

This descant was updated to clean up various voice-leading details, and to introduce an earlier start to the countermelody.

The verse sung to this descant score is:

Let every kindred, every tribe
on this terrestrial ball,
to him all majesty ascribe,
and crown him Lord of all.
To him all majesty ascribe,
and crown him Lord of all.

You may print and use the descants you find here free of charge for church services and concerts; however, be advised these are copyrighted materials and cannot be used for commercial purposes without prior written consent. Please pass on your comments and suggestions by sending me an email. Better yet - send me a recording! I’ll post it. scores are in pdf format.

All works copyright © David Maurand, except as noted.

(R10.0612)