Now we thank all our God

Henry Purcell's (1659-1695) Trumpet Tune provides the musical framework for this piece. His festive tune is combined with the old German hymn 'Nun danket alle Gott' ('Now thank we all our God'). Martin Rinckart's (1585-1649) verses are based on the Praise of God as found in the Old Testament (Sir 50, 22-24). The text was published in 1636 and first sung on Johann Crüger's (1598-1662) melody in 1648. Following its widespread publication in German hymn books, Rinckart's chorale soon became popular in other countries too. Praise the Lord in Tune with Purcell.