Sir Robert Grant (1779–1838) based his hymn
O worship the King on verse written by William Kethe (died 1594) which appeared in
Day’s Psalter (1561). Grant, who became a Fellow of Magdalene College, Cambridge, in 1802, practised as a barrister at Lincoln’s Inn from 1807 and published several literary works including
A Sketch of the History of East India Company to 1733. Grant became Governer of Bombay in 1834 and remained in office until his death in Dalpoorie four years later. He also wrote many sacred poems which were edited by Lord Glenelg and published in 1839.
The melody and bass line of the tune ‘Hanover’ are attributed to William Croft (1678–1727), a Warwickshire-born organist and composer who held appointments at the Chapel Royal in 1707 and Westminster Abbey from 1708. Croft wrote many anthems, a Burial Service and a number of hymn tunes including ‘St Anne’ which is sung to the words O God our help in ages past. He died in Bath and is buried in Westminster Abbey.
from notes by Sarah Langdon © 1999
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