Re: copernicus

In my copy of The Original Sacred Harp, a collection of shape-note hymns and songs, is one entitled "The Last Words of Copernicus." The author is the 18th century English Evangelical minister Philip Dodderidge:

    Ye golden lamps of Heav'n, farewell, With all your feeble light;
    Farewell, thou ever-changing moon, Fair empress of the night.
    And thou refulgent orb of day, In brighter flames array'd,
    My soul which springs beyond thy sphere, No more demands thy aid.

The text is based on Rev. 22:5. In the tune, the last line is in the form of a fuge.

Bob.

----- Original Message -----
  From: George L. Murphygmurphy@raex.com
  To: asa@calvin.edu
  Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2006 5:23 PM
  Subject: copernicus

  With all the rwecent references here to the Copernican theory, many may be unaware that todfay, 24 May, is the anniversary of his death in 1543. He & Euler are commemorated on this date in the liturgical Calendar of the Lutheran Book of Worship.

  George L. Murphy
Received on Wed May 24 22:45:41 2006