Fred Pratt Green (1903- ; see Biographies) wrote this hymn in 1973 in answer to John Wilson’s request for a text to utilize this beautiful folk tune. Its name, O WALY WALY, comes from the opening words of the song traditionally accompanying the melody. The words appear in Allan Ramsay’s Tea Table Miscellany, 1724-1732, and begins “O Waly, Waly, gin Love be Bonny.” They tell of a woeful maiden whose lover has forsaken her, leaving her pregnant and alone in the world. In recent years it has been heard with a secular text in America, performed by a popular singing group but with a slightly different melody.

The authentic melody, as collected by the renowned English folk song researcher Cecil Sharp (1859-1924), was arranged by John Wilson for unison voices. In this form it was first published in Hymns for Celebration, the Royal School of Church Music’s supplement of hymns for the Communion service. In 1974, it was sung at a service of thanksgiving for the life and work of John’s wife, Mary. It is very effective when sung as a solo.

Born January 21, 1905, at Bournville, near Birmingham, England, John Whitridge Wilson graduated in science (M.A.) and music (B.Mus.) at Cambridge University, then went on to a further study of music at the Royal College of Music in London. After holding junior teaching posts, he became director of music at Charterhouse, the famous English public school (1945-1955), and then joined the teaching staff of the Royal College of Music (1965-1980). He was considered to be England’s leading hymnologist by Erik Routley (see SDAH 13), a compliment indeed, coming from one whom most experts count among the world’s greatest hymnologists. Wilson would rather be considered a strong promoter of congregational hymn singing and the writing and use of new hymns. In this he follows in the footsteps of his uncle, Sir Walford Davies (see SDAH 641). Wilson’s editorial work in hymnody began with the Clarendon Hymn Book, 1936, and was resumed for Hymns for Church and School, 1964; Hymns and Songs, 1969; Broadcast Praise, 1981; and most recently, the large Methodist and ecumenical Hymns and Psalms, 1983. He has been one of the speakers and promoters of a most successful series of hymn festivals in Westminster Abbey called “Come and Sing.” Although he retired in 1965, he continues to lecture on acoustics and harmony at the Royal College of Music in London. Currently he is treasurer of the Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland. He is the composer of SDAH 584, LAUDS.

📖 Reference: Companion to the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal by Wayne Hooper and Edward E. White. Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1988.