Born: 1856, Leeds, England.
Died: 1944, Lytham, Lancashire, England.
Son of Wesleyan minister Edward Lightwood, James was born and baptized while his father was on the Leeds Brunswick Circuit. He attended Kingswood School (1866-72), earned a BA from London University, and became Headmaster of Pembroke House, a private school in Lytham. He went on to serve for three years as a member of the Board of Improvement Commissioners in Lytham, on the Lytham Council for six years, and as Chairman of the Streets Committee for four years. His resolution to bring gas into Fairhaven was eventually carried by one vote. Apart from music, his other great love was cycling. He began cycling in 1874 on a "boneshaker." By 1885, he was a member of the Cyclis… Go to person page >
Lightwood composed this tune while organist at the Drive Methodist Church, St. Annes, England. He said the tune came to him while on a bicycle tour in the Lake District. It was first brought into use at the Drive Wesleyan Church in 1900.
Tune Title: LYTHAM (Lightwood)First Line: Lord, when we have not any lightComposer: James Thomas Lightwood, 1850-1944Meter: CMIncipit: 32151 17765 67123Key: A♭ Major