Glasgow Phoenix Choir - 'All in the April Evening' by Hugh S. Roberton

'All in the April Evening'. Words: Katherine Tynan; Music: Hugh S. Roberton
Conductor: Marilyn J Smith MBE
The Glasgow Phoenix Choir performing in the first concert at St Andrew's Cathedral, Glasgow following its restoration. April 2011

[@henrytree]

I remember, I remember ... maybe some 70 years ago ... Listening to "All In The April Evening" on the wireless, along with my Parents and all of my Brothers and Sisters - listening to the wireless was often a great family pleasure then. I had been taught the words in school and was "miming" along to the music, not wishing to spoil such a great performance, then suddenly, my younger sister Catherine burst into tears and no-one knew why. "Catherine, Catherine?" she was asked, "What is wrong? Why are you crying?" My sister Catherine's sobs have remained with me to this day, as between gasps for breath and between sobs, the Wee Lass explained: "It's the little lambs! They are weary and crying!" Out of the mouths of babes ...

[@GlasgowPhoenixChoir]

The power of music ... to evoke such wonderful memories... "speaking to all men in a language that all men understand".

[@maricakoroitanoa8879]

Oh how sweet..Catherine...

[@millylittle9115]

So beautiful as a young person i heard this sang by my mam in the chapel choir was moved still am words powerful❤

[@owmw1934]

My family quartet sang this for years. Though two of them have passed, I still remember the thrill of singing this with them.....and tears flow.

[@ianhumphries6487]

i add to whats already been said,at schools in the 1960,s we all had an appreciation of this music and a select few went to choir practice,what upon earth has happened today?.beautiful absolutely beautiful.

[@rubyegan6062]

I also attended St Andew's Hall many times as a child with my Dad & siblings. Such wonderful childhood memories. I am still a practicing Christian.❤

[@imcoop13]

I’m not afraid to say that listening to this brought tears of joy to my eyes. This is music at its best and makes me proud to be Scottish!

[@marlenegray3266]

Brought tears to my eyes too, we sang this at school, always loved it so much ❤

[@FlyingKeo045]

I cannot understand the type of person who would would give this beautiful song and choir a "thumbs down" I`m not a religious person but I admire immensely the faith and goodness of people that are.

[@nicolahodges8547]

Well l suppose some vegans might

[@FlyingKeo045]

@@nicolahodges8547 The last thing I am is vegan or vegetarian.

[@loverofgod6176]

What does 'not a religious person' mean? That you don't believe the Gospel message, or just aren't a churchgoer?

[@FlyingKeo045]

What does a lover of god mean ? What god , who`s god or (similarly,) what does a lover of whatever devil mean ? In any language, "I`m not", means exactly what it means. Logical To me !@@loverofgod6176

[@FlyingKeo045]

In any language, "I`m not" means exactly what it says !@@loverofgod6176

[@annemiffi1766]

Remember in Sunday school. Thank You Jesus for Your creation 🙏😇

[@patriciagraham2287]

One of the loveliest Easter hymns - very moving performance - I thank God for ears that can hear. Wonderful.

[@HeatherBromfield]

My Dad sang in the choir in St George's presbyterian church in East London. I so clearly remember this wonderful anthem. He was a bass baritone and I used to sing his part....i must've been about 8!!!

[@paacer]

What a wonderful sound from this choir , perfect blend of voices singing this beautiful hymn .

[@janetunderwood5018]

Loved this version. Not too fast, and beautiful harmonies. This moved me greatly.

[@christopherfisher6293]

Memory of my mum brought me here. Sleep well mum.

[@adrimellet3964]

Same here.....their church choir sang this often.

[@MarthalieThurstonSachemPiper]

Both lyricist and composer are exceptional. I have used this number with all my church choirs and community choruses .Greetings from New England USA

[@joniswinton7350]

Wonderful depth of singing my parents used yo go to Glasgow to hear Sir Hugh Roberton# Choir

[@englishrose47]

UK radio station Classic FM just played an orchestral version, but it seemed like you could hear voices singing.

[@maricakoroitanoa8879]

Beautifully sung...a favourite at my boarding school..

[@user-io8tw6xf6r]

I remember singing this at school.

[@eamonmacdonnell2627]

This is a splendid poem written by Dublin poet Katherine Tynan.. Adapted as a hymn..

[@susanpurnell2433]

Ah, memories of singing this in school choir in late 50s early 60s. So beautiful.

[@maricakoroitanoa8879]

Absolutely one of my favourites at the Girls Boarding school i went to around the same time..late 50s early 60s..

[@janetbayford133]

I remember hearing this sung by the Glasgow Orpheus Choir as a child. I was then, am now and ever shall be an atheist but this is gorgeous music sung beautifully. Very moving.

[@seasmacfarlane6418]

I deeply respect your choice. It makes me sad though. But may I pray that one day, you might change your mind? If you say no, I will absolutely respect that too. Nobody should try to force another into belief of any kind. But though we are strangers we can share a love of this beautiful song and simply appreciate the music. It is wonderful.😊

[@hellenmuthoki585]

I remember we sung this song long long time ago while in primary school and know cannot remember all the words, can someone send me the words kindly I need remaind myself.....

[@noonatonga225]

We sang this in our college choir. Love it.

[@newtonikire6408]

Lyrics made in heaven

[@judiedwards1156]

This beautiful song envelops my heart at each hearing. It is simply a deeply emotional experience.

[@burt5057]

My dear departed mother sang in our local Salvation Army Songsters. This was one of their favourites. To sit and listen with eyes closed while the music washed over you was Heaven divine.

[@jamesgavigan4179]

So beautifully sang. I've been playing this to listeners on York Hospital Radio since 1974

[@jennyscott1740]

Absolutely beautiful.

[@holliemcewen122]

The GORGEOUS movie "Sunset Song" brought me here. Praise be to God, and the Lamb of God. ❤

[@conniestinson9450]

Sang this many years ago in high school. Love this

[@granvillelewis7679]

My grandmother, father and his brothers and sisters used to sing this at family get together in the 40s and, 50s. Happy days.

[@philjohnson2231]

Memories are stirred of the Queens Hall Methodist Church Choir in Derby singing this beautiful music in the 1950's and 1960's at services in April each year. E real blessing

[@sallietaylor8503]

To me the sound and words of this song bring me hope and love for my family and friends here in America and in England where all my relatives live.

[@philipandwendy]

What a beautiful performance - the men underpinned this so expertly.

[@philipnorris6542]

'Tis Eastertime, and I certainly am thinking of the Lamb of God.

[@13577727]

So incredibly beautiful, the music and this rendition....

[@elenoavasoroi7589]

One of my favourites.We used to sing this hymn at Holy Trinity Anglican Cathedral in Suva Fiji.Beautiful singing.

[@seawallbird5724]

Remember singing this in the fifties on Children's day at church. Beautiful memory.

[@cynthiajames1224]

I remember singing this with the hospital choir in the fifties in Yorkshire. Ah well! those were the days. Such a beautiful song, and I would not be tired of listening to it, especially when it is sung by such a lovely choir.

[@andrewhammond3634]

Brilliant song. I thank evolution for the ears to appreciate its magnificence.

[@janejarvis1829]

I have just heard the orchestral version of this on the radio and was instantly transported back to my school choir days ... searched for the song and have found your stunning recital. Absolutely beautiful, thank you.

[@lornamackenzie343]

This is so beautiful. I used to sing this every year in my Glasgow Sunday School choir. I would loved to have sung in The Glasgow Phoenix Choir.

[@johnkerr1953]

This choir is really good, l really enjoyed it, l say well done to those in the choir (keep at it) .

[@annies8075]

Takes me back to the 60s when I sang this with the school choir in the schools singing contest.......though sadly can't remember what position we came in the contest

[@kevinbrennan2004]

Truly beautiful.

[@michaelyates3334]

Beautiful song sung to perfection.

[@al251049]

My mum's favourite, along with " Abide with Me" . Well done, Glasgow Phoenix, keep it up.

[@nomzamozondo8410]

I thought on the lamb of God. We sung this in primary school in 1983.

[@brianmarsden2187]

Thank You for such beautiful singing and rendition of this wonderful Easter Hymn. I am attempting to learn to play the first part on my Harmonica. God Bless.

[@bengtbaumann1346]

Wonderful hymn

[@phylliselias]

Absolutely incomparable singing.

[@heathergarvey8422]

I have sung this beautiful anthem at Knox United Church Choir, the acoustics were great, but not like this. So so lovely. I think it was Glasgow cathedral I visited there and sang a bit, and was goosebumpy by how my voice sounded there. 🙂

[@ldhello1731]

Reminds me of my choir, beautiful

[@paulinestubbs1118]

when our choir mistress brought it in to sing with our chamber choir"gang ' we all ended up in tears!-I still do

[@silence-54]

I'm from across the world I think this is such a beautiful choir, it really stuck out to me from all the choirs. Fields of gold etc.

[@nomaphaselani2062]

This is taking me to my highschool days, music classes and my fellow choir mates.

[@stephaniemiller7536]

Memories of singing this at junior school in the 'sixties.

[@sallietaylor8503]

Stephanie we sang this in the Secondary Modern school choir in the 60s.Yorkshire, South Yorkshire.

[@1948DESMOND]

if I did in april time, or am being interred that month, I would love this beautiful piece to be played in church. why do they not teach lovely choral music anymore in schools? when I were a wee laddie, we learned lovely pieces. I am 66 and will be kicking the proverbial bucket one day.

[@henrytree]

I've got a few years on you, Des, and that's all (I'm 77), and I absolutely *totally* agree with you. Why has such music, music lessons, singing lessons, *all* disappeared from the school curriculum? I attended a Grammar School in a mining town in the cold and grey North East of England and I've *never* ever forgotten our music teacher, Mrs. Simpson. A stickler for everything that was right and yet she brought such great happiness to the likes of Speech Days, End-Of-Term Assemblies and other important milestones in our lives. I do not want to disparage many of the younger generation, but ... well ... I don't really know what to say, so perhaps better say nothing, maybe?

[@davidsalmon5405]

Beautiful - one of my late mother's favourites

[@billstuart-bruges4590]

Used to sing as choirboy in Colinton, Edinburgh - it was also famously on record by the Glasgow Orpheus. Beautiful.

[@christophecourtois67]

I've heard this song while watching a wonderful movie "Sunset Song". Wonderful song, wonderful movie !

[@user-lw3cz4mp3l]

Same here. In all of my choir/chorale singing days, I never encountered this song, until I watched "Sunset Song" a couple of years ago. Wonderful( and a bit disturbing!) film. What stayed with me was "All In The April Evening".

[@zoe.life.2023]

Our Dearest Uncle Alex and Daddy sang here. I miss you both SO MUCH...especially at this time of year. Isabel x

[@paulamacrae9236]

So peaceful ❤

[@ellawhite5639]

Lovely

[@loriannschmalz6186]

My mother-in-law first heard this song when she was 9 years old. It was a beautiful, warm end of April Easter evening in Canada. What touched her heart and soul the most was she realized that she was the little lamb that Jesus died for. That was the beginning of the foundation of her faith. Thanks for posting this! What a powerful treat for her to hear this song after 71 years!

[@mollyemelda6603]

😢sung this in primary..Nyabondo Girls

[@elektra9474]

The education systrem has dumbed down to its lowest level. This means that kids can't be taught to sing beautiful music like this, it's all catering to the lowest common denominator. This hymn was one of the first I ever learnt as a child. It moved me then and it still does now 50+ years later.

[@AnybodybutEvans]

I first sang this as a boy aged 13 with a church choir 72 years ago. It still moves me whenever I hear it.

[@puddingface5585]

So true.

[@MandyJMaddison]

I learnt this at school at the age of 13, back in the 1960s.

[@davidwilliams9326]

Absolutely gorgeous. I used to sing this with the Humphry Davy Grammar School Choir and absolutely loved this piece.

[@spuds4t]

I too remember singing this at Pz county school grammar school in 1946 loved it then love it now fabulous harmonies, listen often. where are we all now?

[@MrDaiseymay]

As a child ,I used to hear this beautiful song on the Radio, quite a lot. Usually on a Sunday. It was in the 1950's, when Light Classical music would also be heard far more often, but no longer, except for the record breaking, ' Friday Night is Music Night '.

[@GlasgowPhoenixChoir]

Hi Philip, hope you enjoyed our performance. You might like to listen to our friend Gordon Cree's music choice, which sounds right up your street. It is live streamed at 8pm GMT on a Sunday, but can be listened to here in the archive: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnzIkKqZmtiLasU

[@mkconsultants3139]

Sang this in East Africa in the 80sin school choir. Indeed a classic

[@ipswichfilmtheatre5254]

Brilliant and very moving use of this piece in Terence Davies's new film Sunset Song.

[@cabinfever07]

Best performance I've heard of this music

[@wadejnelson]

the melody is memorable but leads to me to think of the Lamb of God praise Jesus Christ

[@cassinko]

I agree, simply perfect.

[@susanl1120]

i love this choir so much! very beautiful music. thanks.

[@13577727]

Land of my ancestors. Gorgeous singing!

[@marshallart100]

Absolutely beautiful...thank you so much for posting ..made my day.

[@hannstheodor]

wonderful music!

[@clarencebedja1910]

This song tells me of DAVID AS A SHEPHERD IN THE FIELD LIKE !!! I SAW THE SHEEP WITH THEIR LAMBS AN THIUGHT ON THE LAMB OF GOD !!! IT MEANS THAT ITS SO BEAUTIFULL TO SEE A FAMILY WITH THEIR KIDS IN CHURCH SERVING GOD !!! TEARS ARE A LANGAUGE GOD UNDERSTAND

[@margaretgarland7205]

Chapping destroyed the spirit at the end of this wonderful peaceful song

[@maycoats7407]

I remember singing this with the school choir,Larkhall Academy, Mr Morrison music teacher.1950.

[@michaelgargett2005]

Perfection.

[@hamefurgid]

Proud to have been a member of Glasgow Youth choir during the late 60s and 70s. It was a dream to transfer to the Phoenix choir once too old for the youth choir. For me, marriage and a move away from Glasgow prevented me from joining but am currently happily singing with another fine choir at the age of 60. Love singing this beautiful piece too.

[@davidfletcher1116]

hamefurgid haven’t heard this in years, I’m originally from Coatbridge, brought tears to my eyes hearing it again by this great choir. I alway remember hearing the Glasgow Orpheus Choir singing it.

[@bobhirst6748]

I sang this song in the local town hall I was a boy soprano😊

[@jamescleveland1096]

Sang this in High School in New Rochelle, New York

[@AngelStar958]

All in the April morning, April airs were abroad; The sheep with their little lambs Pass'd me by on the road. The sheep with their little lambs Pass'd me by on the road; All in an April evening I thought on the Lamb of God. The lambs were weary, and crying With a weak human cry; I thought on the Lamb of God Going meekly to die. Up in the blue, blue mountains Dewy pastures are sweet: Rest for the little bodies, Rest for the little feet. Rest for the Lamb of God Up on the hill-top green; Only a cross of shame Two stark crosses between. All in the April evening, April airs were abroad; I saw the sheep with their lambs, And thought on the Lamb of God.

[@lindiweyashe406]

Oh! The lamb of God who took all our sins away!. Lindy

[@acabrit]

Just perfect :)

[@janicegans6236]

Perfectly perfect.

[@chloebetts41]

perfection

[@tommccaffrey7919]

beautiful

[@lindiweyashe406]

I sang the song in the Mthatha Methodist Church Female Choir in the late 1980s. Lindy

[@bach4211]

Sung this in a concert last night-so beautiful-but just like our choir in the reprise of the original verse at the end you come in flat-but it's ok because no-one can really tell. Trying to get this in tune is one of the hardest things to do, and so I applaud you for the confidence in which you carried on.

[@puddingface5585]

Damned with faint praise.

[@sallietaylor8503]

Brilliant , a big hug to you all from a person who loves this song more than anything.

[@tommytube1314]

Brilliant Scottish voices in unison unbeatable. Dad's favourite (Tom McKnight).

[@leonardhurley5761]

Superb performance. Many years ago our choir, sopranos, altos, tenors and bases used to sing ' All in the April Evening '. My father was the choir master. This brings back great memories.

[@philipmajor3317]

May be the finest recording?

[@janiceburks3921]

This song was in the movie, "Sunset Song"? I loved it, it was beautiful.

[@martinmccourt7979]

I believe that is true.

[@hepzebahsu]

Beautifully done - but wish there wasn't so much echo in the room. It muddies everything whereas it should be light and clear.

[@oldestnic]

I am not sure it is as good as the original Glasgow Orpheus Choir, Sir Hugh was better as a conductor, and would not have appreciated the rubato or the pitch change. However the old recordings are not as good as I remember listening live in Glasgow in the early 1950's. But I am going a little deaf. The singers in the 1940's had all survived bombing and fighting and food shortages, and lived for the most part on very little food. It was wonderful that they could still produce a beautiful sound...

[@elizabethwallace7108]

Does anybody know a greater hymn? Better sung?

[@mjbaz1]

How subjective can it get? I love 'All in the april evening', but I have other favorites as well. I love the christmas motet 'O Magnum Mysterium' by DeVictoria and 'Abendlied zu Gott' by Haydn. Both hymns give me chills, then peace.

[@christinestromberg5848]

There must be many but this is one I love. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qom0oXd6mNeBY9k

[@1948DESMOND]

put the words on screen, pleez!!!!!!

[@richardgrant5105]

That's an insult to the choirs enunciation !!!