'I was glad' () is an English text drawn from selected verses of Psalm 122. It has been used at Westminster Abbey in the coronation ceremonies of British monarchs since those of King Charles I in 1626.

Text

The text accompanies the monarch's entrance into Westminster Abbey and was formalised in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer. an additional non-biblical text is added to the psalm verses used in the Westminster Abbey ceremonies, i.e. the acclamation "Vivat Rex ... " or "Vivat Regina ... " ("Long live King/Queen ...").

By tradition this acclamation is made by King's or Queen's Scholars of Westminster School as the Sovereign passes through the Quire of Westminster Abbey.

"Vivat" pronunciation

The acclamation uses a variant of standard Latin pronunciation known as Anglicised Latin. Scholars of Classical Latin would pronounce the Vivat Regina as ; those of Ecclesiastical Latin would pronounce it . The traditional English pronunciation when referring to the British monarch is .

  • 1685: King James II, Henry Purcell and John Blow
  • 1831: King William IV, Thomas Attwood]]
  • 1902: King Edward VII, Hubert Parry
  • Parry indicated in the score a space for an improvisatory fanfare between the King's and the Queen's "Vivat" acclamations
  • 1911: King George V, Hubert Parry
  • Parry revised his 1902 version by adding an introduction, antiphonal choir effects and brass fanfares

Use at other British royal events

Setting by Hubert Parry:

  • 1945: National service of thanksgiving for VE Day at St Paul's Cathedral
  • 1977: Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II, national service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral
  • 1981: Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer at St Paul's Cathedral
  • 2002: Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II, national service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral
  • 2011: Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey.
  • 2022: Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II, national service of thanksgiving at St Paul's Cathedral

Other complete or partial settings in English

  • (n.d.): Richard Woodward
  • (n.d.): Leo Sowerby
  • 1879: John Goss
  • 1902: Henry Marcellus Higgs.
  • This setting was distributed by the Church of England in an order of service for that year's Coronation Day to be used in its churches throughout His Majesty's Empire.
  • 1933: Herbert Howells.
  • 1955: S. Drummond Wolff
  • 1957: Robin Orr
  • 1962: Healey Willan
  • 1971: Peter Hallock

See also

  • Laetare Sunday, which uses a similar introit
  • Other settings of Psalm 122 in various languages.

References

  • . This contains Parry's holograph, with two pages apparently inserted for the 1911 coronation.
  • , Choir of St Paul's Cathedral at the 2002 Golden Jubilee of Elizabeth II