Many hymn tune composers have chosen Cornish place names for their compositions and this paper is a work-in-progess listing.
We hope to find information and copyright music for them all and if you are able to help, we would love to hear from you.
We are grateful to the Reverend Colin C Short for these definitions and clarifications:
BCSS : Bible Christian Sunday School Hymnal London: Bible Christian Book Room (1898).
BTB : The Bristol Tune Book (1876 & 1881).
H&P : Hymns & Psalms London (later Peterborough): Methodist Publishing House 1983.
Kelynack : William S Kelynack Companion to The School Hymn Book of the Methodist Church London: Epworth 1950.
Lightfoot : James T Lightfoot The Music of the Methodist Hymn Book London: Epworth 1935.
MSH : The Methodist School Hymnal (1911) produced jointly by the Wesleyan Methodist Church, the United Methodist Church and the Wesleyan Reform Union.
SHB : The School Hymn Book of the Methodist Church London: Methodist Youth Department (1950).
Watson & Trickett : Richard Watson and Kenneth Trickett (eds) Companion to Hymns & Psalms Peterborough: Epworth 1988. Notes to tunes are referenced by «hymn number/page » and the biographical data by page number.
The Methodist Hymn Book title was duplicated: the 1904 book of that name was used by the Wesleyans and the Methodist New Connexion (and after 1907 by some of the ex-MNC Chapels in the United Methodist Church) and the 1933 book was the first book of reunited Methodism (1932). The dates (1904) and (1933) are used with MHB where necessary.
A common Methodist usage: “hymn” is only words, so “tune” is music.
The American usage is useful – although many English Hymn Book publishers have not observed it – ‘Hymn Books’ are words only, ‘Hymnals’ are words and music.
Words and tunes are rarely indisputably associated – and hymns are often sung by ‘other Christian traditions’ to the ‘wrong tune’ ! Hardly any Charles Wesley hymns are sung today to their eighteenth century tunes and John Wesley’s Tune book (for the 1780 collection) has been out of print for over 150 years !
In fact the tune associated with a particular hymn is usually the choice of the editor of the hymnal – and some have tried to introduce change for the sake of it !
Local tunes abound: in thirty years ministry in the north east, midlands and Cornwall I cannot recall a Methodist Circuit where at least three Chapels had their own tune(s).
Titles in blue are links to pages which include additional infomation
Allet by Robert Martyn ***
Ashton by Charles B Wills
Charles B Wills, Tregew Farm, Porthleven. Organist at Breage Troon Methodist Chapel / 1992 Breaney Methodist Chapel from Breage and Sithney.
Attributed to somewhere in that locality.
Local unpublished hymn used for “Saviour, like a shepherd lead us….”
Submitted by Betty Pascoe of Helson Old Cornwall Society
Beacon (St Agnes) by George Tallack
Beacon by Ida M Buttle, from a Mozart melody, who was the daughter of a Bible Christian lay evangelist from Harrowbarrow who was appointed to serve the Bible Christian Hoxton Chapel in London in 1899 after two years engagement as a missioner.
Included in The School Hymn Book – Methodist
Bolingey by Dr Ralph Dunstan
Boscastle Jack
Submitted by Anne Knight who said that “While Shepherds Watch” is sung to this tune in Boscastle
Bosorne by Bramwell Bourne in Twenty Hymn Tunes of West Penwith
Words: “God is a Name My Soul Adores”
Botallack by Bramwell Bourne in Twenty Hymn Tunes of West Penwith
Words: “God of Mercy, God of Grace”
Breage by Charles B Wills
Charles B Wills, Tregew Farm, Porthleven. Organist at Breage Troon Methodist Chapel / 1992 Breaney Methodist Chapel from Breage and Sithney.
Attributed to somewhere in that locality. (Reverend Colin C Short)
Methodist Hymn Book 672 “Saviour, blessed Saviour…”
Submitted by Betty Pascoe of Helson Old Cornwall Society
Breage Church Pageant Hymn by Charles B Wills
Charles B Wills, Tregew Farm, Porthleven. Organist at Breage Troon Methodist Chapel /1992 Breaney Methodist Chapel from Breage and Sithney.
Attributed to somewhere in that locality.
Words by D fisher
Submitted by Betty Pascoe of Helson Old Cornwall Society
It has been suggested that there is a hymn tune by this name – the old name for St Agnes. However, Clive Ellis, organist at St Agnes Anglican Church, states, ” I’m not sure what tune is being referred to by Breannick. However, I do know that the tune used by St Agnes Church for the St Agnes hymn on feast Sunday is a tune called ‘Stanham’ which was written by a character called W R Braine. He was one time organist of St Barnabas, Kensington. He died in 1869. How it got attached to the St Agnes hymn is unclear as it’s not exclusive to it. There has been a good deal of confusion surrounding this as some people have thought it was some sort of traditional folk music. I’ve just looked up the tune Breannick and it sounds suspiciously like the hymn tune. I suspect it may have been adopted. ”
Bude by Edwin J Williams
Bugle by Edwin J Williams
Callington by Ida M Buttle who was the daughter of a Bible Christian lay evangelist from Harrowbarrow who was appointed to serve the Bible Christian Hoxton Chapel in London in 1899 after two years engagement as a missioner. (Reverend Colin C Short)
Included in The Methodist School Hymn Book.
Calynack
Hannibal Lugg Lyne’s (St Mawgan in Meneage) book c1840 to be checked when Covid restrictions permit. Kresen Kernow reference X 540/63.
Camborne Hill
“Oh, Have You Not Heard of a Beautiful Stream” sung to this tune
Cape Cornwall by Bramwell Bourne in Twenty Hymn Tunes of West Penwith
Words: “Sing, All Creation, Sing to God”
Carharrack by Edwin J Williams.
Carn Gloose by Bramwell Bourne in Twenty Hymn Tunes of West Penwith
Words: “When, in Our Music, God is Glorified”
Carnon Downs by Robert Martyn ***
Chacewater by Robert Martyn ***
Chacewater by A C Sharpley
Set to ‘Father God I thank Thee’, number 50 in The Methodist School Hymn Book.
Hannibal Lugg Lyne’s (St Mawgan in Meneage) book c1840 to be checked when Covid restrictions permit. Kresen Kernow reference X 540/63 / The Methodist School Hymnal
Charlestown by E S Lamplough
Tune to ‘Soldiers of Christ arise’ at number 368 in MSH; E S Lamplough, is on the Hymnary.org website, but apparently not with this tune.
I cannot see a Lamplough connection to Charlestown, Cornwall, but I can see nine other Charlestowns in the UK. (Reverend Colin C Short)
Chyvadna by by Dr Curzon Miller, organist at Manaccan Methodist Chapel
Submitted by Betty Pascoe of Helson Old Cornwall Society who stated that Dr Miller ended his days in a care home which had adopted that place name.
Copperhouse by Donald F Broad: Included in Cornish Hymnary by Donald F Broad – organist and choirmaster at Fore Street Methodist Church, Reduth
Cornish Carol – Old English Carol Melody
“Set to ‘It is the joyful Easter-time’ in SHB at 604 in the ‘Hymns for younger children’ section.” (The Reverend Colin C Short)
Cornwall by Samuel Sebastian Wesley
Cornwall by Edgar Floyd
Permission to publish received from Denis Floyd / Music awaited from St Stythian’s Brass Band
Cornwall by Handel 1789
Cornwall by T Walker 1792
Cornwall by A Radiger 1795
Cornwall by D Wilson 1809
Cornwall by W Bird 1811
Perhaps the inclusion of this song will be surprising but surely its lyrics make it appropriate.
Cot Valley by Bramwell Bourne in Twenty Hymn Tunes of West Penwith
Words: “Leave God to Order All Thy Ways”
Crackington 1908:
Included in The Anglican Hymn Book
Devoran by Robert Martyn ***
Eglos Kernow by G R Sinclair
Feock by Robert Martyn ***
Fore Street by Donald F Broad [undoubtedly Redruth]
Included in Cornish Hymnary by Donald F Broad – organist and choirmaster at Fore Street Methodist Church, Reduth
Fore Street Porthleven by Charles B Wills
Charles B Wills, Tregew Farm, Porthleven. Organist at Breage Troon Methodist Chapel / 1992 Breaney Methodist Chapel from Breage and Sithney.
Attributed to somewhere in that locality.
Words by Revd. Mark Alsopp
Submitted by Betty Pascoe of Helson Old Cornwall Society
Foundry (Carharrack) by Donald F Broad
Included in Cornish Hymnary by Donald F Broad – organist and choirmaster at Fore Street Methodist Church, Reduth
Foye by Valerie Ruddle
Set to ‘Child of the stable’s secret birth’ (Watson & Trickett 124/105 p457).
Submitted by the Reverend Colin C Short
Gerrans by Robert Martyn***
Submitted by Mike O’Connor
Bob Martyn was born in 1919 and brought up in Tilbury Docks, Essex. His mother had been widowed in WWI, and his step-father was often unemployed. It is apparent that he and his siblings suffered poverty in his early years.
In 1933 he was just 14 when he enlisted in the Army as a trumpeter. His first 6 months were spent with the Queens Bays Cavalry Regiment based at Warley Barracks in Kent. He was then transferred to the 4th Queen’s Own Hussars at Colchester in Essex. Here he had to learn an orchestral instrument in addition to the cavalry trumpet, and he learned the clarinet.
After 15 months he briefly spent time with the 9th Lancers before his main posting to the 14/20th King’s Hussars on the North West Frontier in India. Whilst in India he was drawn to Christianity, when visiting a mission house in Lucknow. His faith was to have a strong influence on him for the rest of his life. It was also in India that he learned to play music and became an accomplished clarinet player, playing in the Regiments concert band.
In about 1929 he was recommended, and took a place at the Military School of Music, named “Kneller Hall” in Twickenham. Here he learned piano and violin, in addition to playing the clarinet.
In 1939, at the outbreak of war he was transferred to the Band of the 5th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards based at Tidworth and Perham Down. During this time he performed duties such as Physical Trainer and First Aid Instructor. He became a member of the 54th Training Unit Band, bit also played with a variety of other musical ensembles during that time.
It was whilst he was stationed at Tidworth that he met Eileen, an ATS volunteer from Cornwall. In 1941 they were married in the St Mary’s Aisle of Truro Cathedral. He was later posted to Durham.
Robert and Eileen’s first child, Robert, was born in May 1942.
He was subsequently posted to the Middle East to help a concert band who were entertaining troops from the 8th Army. His second son, Peter, was born just after his posting.
In 1946 he was demobilised, and joined his wife in Truro. He would have liked to have become a music teacher but was unable to identify a position. Instead he gained employment with the Great Western Railway, working at Carn Brea, Penryn, and Truro, before being made redundant in 1964. His subsequent employment was with the West Cornwall Management Board, later to become “The Treliske District General Hospital”.
Robert and Eileen had further children; David John 1950, Ruth Angela 1955, Rachel Christine 1957. Initially they lived in Moresk Road, but in 1950 moved to Treliske Estate. In about 1952 they moved to Malabar Estate where they lived for 30 years, before moving to Dobbs Lane on Roberts retirement.
From 1946 Robert was heavily involved with the Truro Methodist Circuit, and particular the City Mission Church in Kenwyn Street. This included, Lay Preacher, chorister, choirmaster, Sunday school helper etc.
He wrote a book of some 500 hymns. I have only included Roseland (+Tregony) tunes on my list for this project, but I also have “Allet”, “Carnon Downs”, “Chacewater”, “Devoran”, “Feock”, “Penpol”, “Shortlanesend”, “Three Milestone”, “Tresillian”, “Trispen”, “T. M. C. Praise”, “Twelveheads”, “Kevreneck Praise”, “World Wide”.
He died between 2006 & 2022.
Goldsithney by Edwin J Williams
Gurnard’s Head by Bramwell Bourne in Twenty Hymn Tunes of West Penwith
Words: “Reap Me the Earth as a Harvest to God”
Hayle by Donald F Broad
Included in Cornish Hymnary by Donald F Broad – organist and choirmaster at Fore Street Methodist Church, Reduth
Heamoor by Edwin J Williams
Hellesveor, a Cornish carol written by Colan ‘Cully’ Williams: Paul Henry Bates “Hellesveor is a small village just south of St Ives. This special carol is known as the national anthem of St Ives and is always the last song (or Curl) sung on Christmas Eve when we’re out singing around the streets of our beloved little town Mr Williams wrote the song and tune on the organ at Hellesveor chapel in the early 1900s”. Trudie Pearce confirmed it as a Cornish Carol named after the Chapel the blind organist Cully Williams played at in St Ives.
Hellesveor by Edwin J Williams
Helston by Dr Curzon Miller, organist at Manaccan Methodist Chapel
“To God be the glory…” sung to this tune.
The original was dated 24/1/63 and was revised 3/4/1986
Hannibal Lugg Lyne’s (St Mawgan in Meneage) book c1840 to be checked when Covid restrictions permit. Kresen Kernow reference X 540/63.
Submitted by Betty Pascoe of Helson Old Cornwall Society
Hendra by Bramwell Bourne in Twenty Hymn Tunes of West Penwith
Words: “Blest Are the Pure in Heart”
Kehelland by Edwin J Williams
Kelynack by Bramwell Bourne in Twenty Hymn Tunes of West Penwith
Words: “God, You Have Giv’n Us Power to Sound”
Kennal Vale by Edwin J Williams
Lamanva by Kenneth Pelmear (Lamanva is a small village near Budock Water)
Lamorna by H G Trembath
Land’s End by Edwin J Williams
Lanivet
Alison Davey researching
Lanner by E J Williams
Lanner a brass band arrangement by Gareth Cottrell
Launceston by William Jackson of Exeter
Earliest in 1769
Launceston by Edwin J Williams
Launceston by Rev. Richard Cope of Launceston
Launceston by Dr Edward Miller(1731 or 1735 – 1807)
Earliest in 1803
Leedstown by Donald F Broad: Included in Cornish Hymnary by Donald F Broad – organist and choirmaster at Fore Street Methodist Church, Reduth
Levant by Bramwell Bourne in Twenty Hymn Tunes of West Penwith
Words: “For the Healing of the Nations”
Liskeard by Donald F Broad
(It is no.8 in a ‘Broad’ collection of 22. (Index says it is No.9!)
Looe by H J Staples (1891-1943)
Included in The School Hymn Book – Methodist
Submitted by Betty Pascoe of Helson Old Cornwall Society
Looe by Edwin J Williams
Lostwithiel by J Turle
Ludgvan by Edwin J Williams
Mawgan Chapel
Hannibal Lugg Lyne’s (St Mawgan in Meneage) book c1840 to be checked when Covid restrictions permit. Kresen Kernow reference X 540/63.
Madron by the Revd H R Jennings
Madron:
Submitted by Kensa Broadhurst
Maen Dower by Bramwell Bourne in Twenty Hymn Tunes of West Penwith
Words: “A Mighty Wind Invades the World”
Manhay by Dr Curzon Miller, organist at Manaccan Chapel:
“My song is love unknown…….” sung to this tune.
Dated 29/3/1963.
Submitted by Betty Pascoe of Helson Old Cornwall Society
Marazion by Edwin J Williams
Methleigh by Charles B Wills
Charles B Wills, Tregew Farm, Porthleven. Organist at Breage Troon Methodist Chapel / 1992 Breaney Methodist Chapel from Breage and Sithney.
Attributed to somewhere in that locality.
Methodist Hymn Book 515 “Thy way, not mine, O Lord….”
Submitted by Betty Pascoe of Helson Old Cornwall Society
Morvah by Bramwell Bourne in Twenty Hymn Tunes of West Penwith
Words: “Hail, True Body, Born of Mary”
Morwellham by C Steggall (1826-1905)
Included in The School Hymn Book – Methodist
Mount Hawke by James Prowse
Nancherrow by Bramwell Bourne in Twenty Hymn Tunes of West Penwith
Words: “Help Us to Help Each Other, Lord”
Nanpean
Submitted by Garry Tregidga
Nanquidno by Bramwell Bourne in Twenty Hymn Tunes of West Penwith
Words: “An Upper Room Did Our Lord Prepare”
Newlyn by M L Wostenholm
Included in The Methodist School Hymnal
Ninevah by Bramwell Bourne in Twenty Hymn Tunes of West Penwith
Words: “Above the Moon Earth Rises”
North Parade (Camborne) by Edwin J Williams.
Pencoys by E H Tresidder
“Sun of my soul, thou Saviour dear……..” sung to this tune.
Submitted by Betty Pascoe of Helson Old Cornwall Society
Pendeen by Edwin J Williams
Pendeen by Bramwell Bourne in Twenty Hymn Tunes of West Penwith
Words: “I to the Hills Will Lift Mine Eyes”
Penpol by Robert Martyn ***
Penzance
“Dread Jehovah, God of Nations” sung to this tune
Penzance by Edwin J Williams
Perranporth by Robert Gardiner
Poldice by Monty Pearce
Polperro by Edwin J Williams
Polwhele by Hubert Julian
“How wonderful this world of Thine”, “Jusu Thou soul of all our joys” and “Cradled in a manger, meanly” sung to this tune.
Submitted by Elsie Thomas, Saltash
Porth Enys by Lorgh Vras
Porth Ledden by Bramwell Bourne in Twenty Hymn Tunes of West Penwith
Words: “Awake, Awake, Fling Off the Night”
Porthleven by Charles B Wills, Tregew Farm, Porthleven. Organist at Breage Troon Methodist Chapel / 1992 Breaney Methodist Chapel from Breage and Sithney.
Attributed to somewhere in that locality.
Words by William J Cowls:“Where beauty dwells….”
Submitted by Betty Pascoe of Helson Old Cornwall Society
Portloe by Robert Martyn***.
Portscatho by Robert Martyn***.
Praze-Crowan by Donald F Broad, organist and choirmaster at Fore Street Methodist Church, Reduth
Included in Cornish Hymnary by Donald F Broad
Redruth by Matthew Clemens
“Praise ye the lord! ‘tis good to raise…….” sung to this tune.
Submitted by Betty Pascoe of Helson Old Cornwall Society
Redruth by Edwin J Williams
Redruth Primitive by R T Beer
Roseworthy by Donald F Broad, organist and choirmaster at Fore Street Methodist Church, Reduth
Included in Cornish Hymnary by Donald F Broad
Ruan Highlanes by Robert Martyn***.
St Agnes by John B Dykes (1823-76)
Included in The School Hymn Book – Methodist / Alexander’s Hymns No. 3 / The Methodist School Hymnal / Hymns and Psalms – Methodist / Methodist Hymn Book / The Hymnal – Army and Navy / Wesley’s Hymns
Named after the saint, not the place so not a Cornish tune. (Reverend Colin C Short)
St Agnes by J Langran (1835-1909)
Included in The Methodist School Hymnal / Hymns and Psalms – Methodist / Methodist Hymn Book
included in the BTB(1881) set to ‘Weary of earth and laden with sin’; it is not in the SHB, where the tune to 198 is the Dykes tune; in MHB(1933) set to 772, ‘Here O Lord I see Thee face to face’ – Lightfoot (420) reveals no Cornwall connection; in H&P at 608, the same hymn – see Watson & Trickett 608/352, p534; again the biographical note shows no explicit connection with Cornwall. (Reverend Colin C Short)
St Agnes by Edwin J Williams
St Agnes by S J P Dunman
Included in Wesley’s Hymns 1780 book.
The title “Wesley’s Hymns” in strict Methodist usage today means the 1780 book – but the tune is not in Appendix J of Volume 7 of the Bicentennial Edition of Wesley’s Works – the modern critical edition of the 1780 book – which means it is not a tune recommended in the 1780 book. It is found in the music edition of the 1876 edition “With a New Supplement” properly designated today “Wesley’s Hymns (1877), by Rev. S J P Dunman, set to ‘Earth rejoice our Lord is King !’; biography at Watson & Trickett p516. (Reverend Colin C Short)
St Austell by Arthur H Brown
Hannibal Lugg Lyne’s (St Mawgan in Meneage) book c1840 to be checked when Covid restrictions permit. Kresen Kernow reference X 540/63.
In BTB(1881) number 414 by Arthur H Brown, set to “Source of life and light divine”; biography Watson & Trickett p509. Whether this is the same as the tune in The Anglican Hymn Book of 1868 I don’t know. Note on A H Brown (1830-1926): although without any evident contact with Cornwall, he wrote several tunes with Cornish names, two being newly submitted here. (Reverend Colin C Short)
St Austell
1868
Included in the Anglican Hymn Book.
St Austell by Arthur H Brown
St Clement by Rev. C C Scholefield (1839-1904)
Included in The School Hymn Book – Methodist / Alexander’s Hymns No. 3 / The Methodist School Hymnal / Hymns and Psalms – Methodist / Methodist Hymn Book
Included in a Hymn Book edited by Sir Arthur Sullivan (Watson & Trickett p553f); under hymn 648. Sullivan is said to have ‘invented’ the name – so perhaps there is no true Cornish connection.(Reverend Colin C Short)
St Columb
Earliest citation 1741.
“Summer Ended Harvest Oer” sung to this tune
Submitted by Mike O’Connor
St Columb by Arthur H Brown
St Columb
Used in the Countess of Huntingdon’s Chapels
St Columb by A H Brown
Number 416 in BTB (1881), set to “Holy Father hear my cry” – which is not in the words to which the tune is set in the 1854 Countess of Huntingdon Hymn Book.
Submitted by the Reverend Colin C Short
St Day Carol
St Day by Edwin J Williams.
St Dennis
Submitted by Annabelle Coad
St Denis
Earliest citation 1819
Submitted by Mike O’Connor
St Dominic by W A Blakeley
BTB(1881) 432, set to ‘Holy Father, hear my cry’ – but as the tune is spelt without a « k » and a friend from the village insists that it always is, the association may not be Cornish.
Submitted by the Reverend Colin C Short
St Enodoc by C S Lang (1891-1971)
Included in Hymns and Psalms – Methodist
Watson & Trickett 297/198, p533 (Reverend Colin C Short)
St Erth by Donald F Broad
St Euny by Donald F Broad, organist and choirmaster at Fore Street Methodist Church, Reduth
St Feock by Arthur H Brown
St Hilary by J B Dykes (1823-76)
St Hilary by Edwin J Williams
St Issey – an English Traditional Melody
Included in The School Hymn Book – Methodist
St Ives by Edwin J Williams
St Just
Submitted by Mike O’Connor
St Just by Bramwell Bourne in Twenty Hymn Tunes of West Penwith
Words: “Thou Hidden Source of Calm Repose”
St Just by Edwin J Williams
St Keverne by Arthur H Brown
St Keverne by Edwin J Williams
St Keverne by unknown
St Mabyn by A H Brown (1830-1926)
St Mawes by W K Stanton (1891-1978)
Submitted by Mike O’Connor
St Merryn by H A Harding (1856-1930)
Included in The School Hymn Book – Methodist / The Methodist School Hymnal / Methodist Hymn Book
Lightfoot p279: “… written by H A Harding at the request of the Committee for the MHB(1904); biography Lightfoot p280. (Reverend Colin C Short)
St Petrox by R F Dale (1845-1919)
Included in LM Methodist Hymn Book 918 London 1933.
Submitted by Mike O’Connor
This is in Pembrokeshire so not a Cornish tune. (Reverend Colin C Short)
St Sennen
Earliest citation 1917
Included in The Church Hymnal for the Christian Year 96. “Soldier Go! Thy vow is spoken” sung to this tune
St Stephens (also … Newington) by Rev. W Jones
Set to “The Lord will come and not be slow” in H&P; was later called by the composer “Nayland” (Watson & Trickett 245/169, p531); very unlikely to be any of our Cornish St Stephens.
Submitted by the Reverend Colin C Short
St Stythians by Donald F Broad, Organist and choirmaster at Fore Street Methodist Church, Reduth:
Saltash by I Probins
Earliest in 1808
Saltash (Anonymous)
There are several tunes with this name, several of them seemingly American – and these will not be Cornish !; Watson & Trickett 97/89f gives notes for an anonymous American tune published in 1830, and is the tune in the American Plymouth Collection of 1855; this was arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams. (Reverend Colin C Short)
Sennen by W F Sherwin
Included in The Methodist School Hymnal (1911) number 516.
Set to “Day is dying in the west” by an American authoress; Sherwin was an American who had tunes in Sacred Songs and Solos which entered UK hymnody thence; had there been a Sennen in the US one would decide that this is not a Cornish tune – but it seems there isn’t. (Reverend Colin C Short)
Sennen Cove by William H Harris (1883-1973)
Watson & Trickett 559/329 p524; composed for Hymns Ancient & Modern Revised (1950). (Reverend Colin C Short)
Shortlanesend by Robert Martyn ***
Three Milestone by Robert Martyn ***
Tranno by Charles B Wills, Tregew Farm, Porthleven. Organist at Breage Troon Methodist Chapel / 1992 Breaney Methodist Chapel from Breage and Sithney.
Attributed to somewhere in that locality.
Methodist Hymn Book 417: “Come, Thou Fount of every blessing….”
Submitted by Betty Pascoe of Helson Old Cornwall Society
Treborth by A H Mann (BCSS)
This name looks Cornish, but should not be included as it is actually the site of the Bangor University Botanical Gardens in north Wales.
Submitted by the Reverend Colin C Short
Treeza by Charles B Wills
Charles B Wills, Tregew Farm, Porthleven. Organist at Breage Troon Methodist Chapel / 1992 Breaney Methodist Chapel from Breage and Sithney.
Attributed to somewhere in that locality.
Methodist Hymn Book 429: “God of my life, through all my days….”
Submitted by Betty Pascoe of Helson Old Cornwall Society
Tregew by Charles B Wills
Charles B Wills, Tregew Farm, Porthleven. Organist at Breage Troon Methodist Chapel / 1992 Breaney Methodist Chapel from Breage and Sithney.
Attributed to somewhere in that locality.
Methodist Hymn Book 245: “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed….”
Submitted by Betty Pascoe of Helson Old Cornwall Society
Tregony by Robert Martyn***
Treleigh by Monty Pearce
Treloweth by Monty Pearce
Tresavean by Monty Pearce
Tresillian by Robert Martyn ***
Treskerby by Monty Pearce
Trethewey
Hannibal Lugg Lyne’s (St Mawgan in Meneage) book c1840 to be checked when Covid restrictions permit. Kresen Kernow reference X 540/63.
Trethosa
Submitted by Garry Tregidga
Brian Minear arranged this hymn tune for brass band and copies are held by St Dennis Silver Band.
Trethurgy
Written by a member of the Luke family. (Garry Tregidga)
Trevenson
Submitted by Mike O’Connor
Treverva by Kenneth Pelmear
Submitted by From Cristine Cumber but authenticity later doubted
Trevingey by Monty Pearce
Treviscoe by Reg Polmounte
“Sun of my soul, thou saviour dear” sung to this tune.
Submitted by Gemma Kate Goodman
Trewellard by Bramwell Bourne in Twenty Hymn Tunes of West Penwith
Words: “Lord, Bring the Day to Pass”
Trewen by D E Evans
A Welsh tune. (Watson & Trickett 750/427f). (Reverend Colin C Short)
Trewirgie by Monty Pearce
Trispen by Robert Martyn ***
Troon Chapel Breage by Charles B Wills
Charles B Wills, Tregew Farm, Porthleven. Organist at Breage Troon Methodist Chapel / 1992 Breaney Methodist Chapel from Breage and Sithney.
Attributed to somewhere in that locality.
Methodist Hymn Book 806: “Let the song go round the earth….”
Submitted by Betty Pascoe of Helson Old Cornwall Society
Truro by Charles Burney / T Williams
Truro by S Pearce 1776
Truro by W E Miller (1766-1839)
Methodist Hymn Book
The six-sevens tune appeared at number 628 ‘Ye that do your master’s will’ and ascribed to W E Miller 1736-1839 (Lightfoot 367f). (Reverend Colin C Short)
Truro by S Babcock 1803
Truro by D Rizzio 1803
Twelveheads by Robert Martyn ***
Underhill by Donald F Broad, Organist and choirmaster at Fore Street Methodist Church, Reduth
Ventonleague by Donald F Broad, organist and choirmaster at Fore Street Methodist Church, Reduth
Included in Cornish Hymnary by Donald F Broad
Veryan by Knight (1908-1979)
Submitted by Mike O’Connor
Victoria Park by Donald F Broad [undoubtedly Redruth]
Included in Cornish Hymnary by Donald F Broad – organist and choirmaster at Fore Street Methodist Church, Reduth
Wadebridge by Edwin J Williams
Wall by Donald F Broad, organist and choirmaster at Fore Street Methodist Church, Reduth
Included in Cornish Hymnary by Donald F Broad
Wendron by Mr J N Eva, the organist at Trewennack Chapel.
Wheal Owles by Bramwell Bourne in Twenty Hymn Tunes of West Penwith
Words: “Come, Risen Lord, and deign to be Our Guest”
Zawn Reeth by Bramwell Bourne in Twenty Hymn Tunes of West Penwith
Words: “Rejoice in God’s Saints”
Zennor by Edwin J Williams
Research in progress:
The work of Dr Curzon Miller, organist at Manaccan Chapel, is being researched by Betty Pascoe. He is believed to have written a hymn for every chapel in the Helston/Lizard Circuit.
The work of George Bond is being researched by Betty Pascoe.
*** Robert (Bob) Martyn
Bob Martyn was born in 1919 and brought up in Tilbury Docks, Essex. His mother had been widowed in WWI, and his step-father was often unemployed. It is apparent that he and his siblings suffered poverty in his early years.
In 1933 he was just 14 when he enlisted in the Army as a trumpeter. His first 6 months were spent with the Queens Bays Cavalry Regiment based at Warley Barracks in Kent. He was then transferred to the 4th Queen’s Own Hussars at Colchester in Essex. Here he had to learn an orchestral instrument in addition to the cavalry trumpet, and he learned the clarinet.
After 15 months he briefly spent time with the 9th Lancers before his main posting to the 14/20th King’s Hussars on the North West Frontier in India. Whilst in India he was drawn to Christianity, when visiting a mission house in Lucknow. His faith was to have a strong influence on him for the rest of his life. It was also in India that he learned to play music and became an accomplished clarinet player, playing in the Regiments concert band.
In about 1929 he was recommended, and took a place at the Military School of Music, named “Kneller Hall” in Twickenham. Here he learned piano and violin, in addition to playing the clarinet.
In 1939, at the outbreak of war he was transferred to the Band of the 5th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards based at Tidworth and Perham Down. During this time he performed duties such as Physical Trainer and First Aid Instructor. He became a member of the 54th Training Unit Band, bit also played with a variety of other musical ensembles during that time.
It was whilst he was stationed at Tidworth that he met Eileen, an ATS volunteer from Cornwall. In 1941 they were married in the St Mary’s Aisle of Truro Cathedral. He was later posted to Durham.
Robert and Eileen’s first child, Robert, was born in May 1942.
He was subsequently posted to the Middle East to help a concert band who were entertaining troops from the 8th Army. His second son, Peter, was born just after his posting.
In 1946 he was demobilised, and joined his wife in Truro. He would have liked to have become a music teacher but was unable to identify a position. Instead he gained employment with the Great Western Railway, working at Carn Brea, Penryn, and Truro, before being made redundant in 1964. His subsequent employment was with the West Cornwall Management Board, later to become “The Treliske District General Hospital”.
Robert and Eileen had further children; David John 1950, Ruth Angela 1955, Rachel Christine 1957. Initially they lived in Moresk Road, but in 1950 moved to Treliske Estate. In about 1952 they moved to Malabar Estate where they lived for 30 years, before moving to Dobbs Lane on Roberts retirement.
From 1946 Robert was heavily involved with the Truro Methodist Circuit, and particular the City Mission Church in Kenwyn Street. This included, Lay Preacher, chorister, choirmaster, Sunday school helper etc.
He wrote a book of some 500 hymns.
He died between 2006 & 2022.
We are indebted to the Reverend Colin C Short for his corrections, clarifications and additions.
Hello, I was most pleased and interested to come across this page in the course of researching a certain not very well known hymn that happens to be mentioned here. As a church musician from mid-Cornwall with a long-standing interest in hymnody, I am aware of several hymn tunes with Cornish place / saint names that are not yet included in your list, and I can also supply further information about some of those that you do already mention. Please let me know if you would like me to contribute. Best regards, Peter Tylor
Peter, we would welcome your input which will be acknowledged. My email address is tonymansell4@outlook.com. 07812 463746. Many thanks for your offer of help.
We would be delighted if you are able to add to our list or provide further information, Peter. No doubt anything you send will end up on my computer but it may travel to me quicker if you use my personal address: tonymansell4@outlook.com Thanks for getting in touch. Tony
Great project and I am sure there will be more fascinating tunes to come! It would be good to add that the tune Saltash (methodist hymn book version) has been adopted into folk playing in Cornwall and further afield – for example, it has been recorded by duo Spiers and Boden who regularly perform it.