Musical contribution - D. Hart - August 2011

The tune Slane is of Irish folk origin. Slane Hill is about ten miles from Tara in County Meath. It was on Slane Hill around 433 AD that St. Patrick defied a royal edict by lighting candles on Easter Eve. High King Logaire of Tara had decreed that no one could light a fire before Logaire began the pagan spring festival by lighting a fire on Tara Hill. Logaire was so impressed by Patrick’s devotion that, despite his defiance (or perhaps because of it), he let him continue his missionary work. (Courtesy www.nethymnal.org)

My arrangement is designed as a neo-Baroque trio-style setting of this delightful hymn. Feel free to experiment with various combinations of stops until you find one which “works” for you. It is also a fine idea to play the hymn straightforward once followed by the trio setting.

J. David Hart
Fellow, American Guild of Organists