Composer: George Friderick Handel
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George Frideric Handel (b. Halle, Germany, 1685; d. London, England, 1759) became a musician and composer despite objections from his father, who wanted him to become a lawyer. Handel studied music with Zachau, organist at the Halle Cathedral, and became an accomplished violinist and keyboard performer. He traveled and studied in Italy for some time and then settled permanently in England in 1713. Although he wrote a large number of instrumental works, he is known mainly for his Italian operas, oratorios (including Messiah, 1741), various anthems for church and royal festivities, and organ concertos, which he interpolated into his oratorio performances. He composed only three hymn tunes, one of which (GOPSAL) still appears in some modern hy…
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Forth rode the knights of oldForth rode the knights of old
With armour gleaming bright,
By noble deeds and actions bold
To fight for God and right.
To lay the tyrant low,
To set the captive free,
The hosts of evil to o'erthrow
By might of purity.
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