Commonplance Book - Numbered Pages - 49: "The Service"

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THE SERVICE

Every one having been seated, the serv-
ice was begun. The Archbishop stood at
the altar steps, directly before the coffin.
On his left was the Bishop of Winchester,
clad in scarlet robes.

The Bishop of Winchester read the les-
son, from Corinthians, xv, "Man That Is
Born of Woman" was chanted by the
choir to Wesley's music, followed by
"Thou Knowest, Lord, the Secrets of Our Hearts."

The Dean of Windsor read, "I Heard a
Voice," and the choir sang the Lord's
Prayer to the music composed especially
for the dead Queen by Gounod. Once more
the strains of the choir, welled up through
the ancient chapel with the singing of
"How Blessed Are They That Die," by
Tschaikowsky.

The Archbishop read the collect, and,
with quavering voice, pronounced the ben-
ediction. The King and all present bowed
their heads low. A few sobs were heard
and the choir then broke the oppressive
stillness with the sweet harmony of the
"Dresden Amen."

 

Then, in loud tones, Norroy King of
Arms, (William Henry Weldon,) standing
before the altar, proclaimed the dead
monarch's titles. He ended by exclaiming
"God Save the King" so forcefully and
dramatically that his hearers started,
stung into a realization of the change of
regime which had so suddenly come about.

Spohr's anthem, "Blessed Are the De-
parted," followed, and the service was con-
cluded by the playing of Beethoven's
funeral march by Sir Walter Parrott, or
ganist of St. George's Chapel and private
organist to the late Queen.