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Bedford Connections

(Click here to listen to this fine tune).

Written by William Weale (1690-1727) although there is some divergence of opinion as to the date of the composition and the spelling of his surname. It sometimes appears as Wale, Wheale,Wheall or occasionally Wheal.

Not much is known about the composer other than he was appointed organist of St Paul's Parish Church in Bedford on the understanding that he became qualified for the post. This he did and graduated Mus.Bac. at Cambridge in 1719. He remained as organist until he died in 1727 and is buried in the churchyard of St Paul's.

It is said that for over 100 years the bells of St Paul's rang out with this famous old tune and you can learn much more of the history of St Paul's Church Bedford.

Written in common metre the Bedford tune appears as number 74 in the current Salvation Army tune book and is associated with verses by Charles Wesley in the Salvation Army song book number 23:

What shall I render to my God
For all His mercy's store?
I'll take the gifts He hath bestowed
and humbly ask for more.

The sacred cup of saving grace
I will with thanks receive
And all His promise embrace
And to His glory Live.

My vows I will to His great name
Before His people pay,
And all I have, and all I am,
Upon His altar lay.

Thy hands created me, Thy hands
From sin have set me free;
The mercy that hath loosed my bands
Hath bound me fast to Thee.

The God of all-redeeming grace,
My God, I will proclaim,
Offer the sacrifice of praise,
And call upon His name.