Comments for Special offers from the Presbyterian Outlook: Lenten Lectionary-Inspired Hymns at http://pres-outlook.net , comment 1 to 1 out of 1 comments http://pres-outlook.net Thu, 09 Sep 2010 01:51:16 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://pres-outlook.net/reports-a-resources/lent/9619-lenten-hymns.html#comment-5180 I want to give a historical note to the tune "Martyrdom" which goes with the paraphrase of Psalm 51 for Ash Wednesday. The original name of the tune was "Fenwick" (pronounced "Finnick"). It was written by Hugh Wilson, the parish schoolmaster at Fenwick in Ayrshire, Scotland (next door to Kilmarnock). He undoubtedly taught some of my ancestors from there. The apt name of "Martyrdom" honors the fact that of all the parishes in Scotland it was Fenwick who had the most martyrs in the Covenanting struggles of the late 17th century. And in later generations Fenwick folks spread abroad, with radical views in favor of the abolition of slavery and fair rights for laborers, to the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and so on. The kirk at Fenwick continues to be a vital part of the village, a beautiful 17th century structure built in 1643 with a lively little congregation. - Ken Cuthbertson Thu, 04 Feb 2010 17:21:30 +0100