Hymn #215: Ride On! Ride On in Majesty | First Congregational Church

Henry Hart Milman (1791-1868) was an Anglican minister and a newly appointed professor of poetry at Oxford University, England, when he wrote this Palm Sunday text at age thirty. It was published by his friend, Reginald Heber, six years later in a hymnbook organized by the church year.

Henry H. Milman, an English scholar and priest, rose to positions of prominence in the Anglican Church, finally serving as dean of St. Paul’s Cathedral. After writing plays in his early years, he concentrated on historical work, including History of the Jews (1862), which drew loud criticism.

John Bacchus Dykes (1823-1876) composed ST. DROSTANE for Milman’s text for Congregational Hymn and Tune Book (1862). It was named for Saint Drostane, a nephew of Saint Columba, who, like his uncle, also founded churches in Ireland and Christian communities in Scotland.

John B. Dykes is the best known of the Victorian hymn-tune writers, and three hundred of his works remain in use. In addition, he published sermons, anthems, and service music. Dykes served as Anglican precentor at Durham (England) Cathedral and later as vicar of St. Oswald’s Church, Durham.