Hymn #294: There’s a Spirit in the Air | First Congregational Church

Brian Arthur Wren (b. 1936) wrote this text for use on Pentecost Sunday at Hockley Church, England, where he was serving as pastor. In a recent collection, Faith Renewed (1995), Wren explains that he “aimed for simple language, suitable for all ages.”

Brian Wren was born June 3, 1936, at Romford, Essex, England, and was educated at New College and Mansfield College, both of Oxford University in England. He was ordained to the Congregational Church ministry in 1965 and served two churches before turning to full-time work writing hymns.

This medieval French melody is called ORIENTIS PARTIBUS, which means “from the Eastern regions.” It was sung during the Middle Ages for a church festival that commemorated the holy family’s escape to Egypt. During the festival, a young woman rides a donkey through town.

This harmonization of ORIENTIS PARTIBUS is from Richard Redhead’s Church Hymn Tunes, Ancient and Modern (1853). Another tune that is often paired with this text in contemporary hymnals is LAUDS, by John W. Wilson (1905-1992).