Thanks for being a Hymnary.org user. You are one of more than 10 million people from 200-plus countries around the world who have benefitted from the Hymnary website in 2024! If you feel moved to support our work today with a gift of any amount and a word of encouragement, we would be grateful.

You can donate online at our secure giving site.

Or, if you'd like to make a gift by check, please make it out to CCEL and mail it to:
Christian Classics Ethereal Library, 3201 Burton Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546
And may the promise of Advent be yours this day and always.

Click here to donate to Hymnary.org I have already donated. Please don't show this to me again

SALVE FESTA DIES (Vaughan Williams)

Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams

Through his composing, conducting, collecting, editing, and teaching, Ralph Vaughan Williams (b. Down Ampney, Gloucestershire, England, October 12, 1872; d. Westminster, London, England, August 26, 1958) became the chief figure in the realm of English music and church music in the first half of the twentieth century. His education included instruction at the Royal College of Music in London and Trinity College, Cambridge, as well as additional studies in Berlin and Paris. During World War I he served in the army medical corps in France. Vaughan Williams taught music at the Royal College of Music (1920-1940), conducted the Bach Choir in London (1920-1927), and directed the Leith Hill Music Festival in Dorking (1905-1953). A major influence i… Go to person page >

^ top

Tune Information

Title: SALVE FESTA DIES (Vaughan Williams)
Composer: Ralph Vaughan Williams (1906)
Meter: Irregular
Incipit: 15432 13217 12765
Key: F Major
Copyright: From the English Hymnal, 1906. Used by permission of Oxford University Press.
^ top

Notes

Ralph Vaughan Williams (PHH 316) composed SALVE FESTA DIES as a setting for Venantius H. Fortunatus's (PHH 400) famous text "Hail Thee, Festival Day." The tune, whose title comes from the opening words of that text, was published in The English Hymnal of 1906.

Like SINE NOMINE (505), this tune is vigorous and jubilant with a rhythmic energy characteristic of Vaughan Williams's hymn tunes. Its broad dimensions and use of triplets may appear formidable, but it is a glorious tune that can be sung in unison by congregations who have good choral and organ leadership. Try singing antiphonally with a choir of children or adults singing the stanzas and the entire congregation singing the refrain. Note how Vaughan Williams has neatly steered the stanzas right back into the refrain without a pause. Accompany with a sense of majesty and strength.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook, 1988

^ top

Timeline

^ top

Arrangements

Harmonizations, Introductions, Descants, Intonations

  • Thirty-Three Hymn Descants and Melodies for All Seasons
    Composer/Editor Patricia D. Backhaus
    Published By: Concordia Publishing House (2015) pp. 37
  • Hymn Miniatures: 28 Practical Settings for the Church's Year
    Composer/Editor Rebecca Groom Te Velde
    Published By: Oxford University Press (2008) pp. 34
  • Introductions and Alternate Accompaniments for Organ Volume 3: Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Hymns 361-441
    Composer/Editors Norma Aamodt-Nelson; Marissa Bauck; James Biery
    Published By: Augsburg Fortress (2008) pp. 394
  • Introductions and Alternate Accompaniments for Piano Volume 3: Evangelical Lutheran Worship, Hymns 361 - 441
    Composer/Editors Norma Aamodt-Nelson; Marissa Bauck; Aaron David Miller
    Published By: Augsburg Fortress (2008) pp. 394
  • Introductions, Harmonizations, Accompaniments, Interpretations Volume 5: Settings by Jeffrey Blersch
    Composer/Editor Jeffrey N. Blersch
    Published By: Concordia Publishing House (2008) pp. 18
  • The St. Francis Collection of Free Accompaniments to Hymn Tunes: 80 Settings by Various Composers
    Composer/Editors Dirk van Dissel; Christopher Dearnley
    Published By: G. I. A. Publications, Inc. (2005) pp. 94
  • The Creative Use of the Organ in Worship
    Composer/Editor Hal H. Hopson
    Published By: Hope Publishing Company (2000) pp. 147
  • The Creative Use of Descants in Worship: The Creative Church Musician Series / Volume 3
    Composer/Editor Hal H. Hopson
    Published By: Hope Publishing Company (1999) pp. 97
  • Saint Mark's Organ Book: Introductions, Reharmonizations and Organ Descants for Ten Hymns
    Composer/Editor Joel Martinson
    Published By: The H. W. Gray Company, Inc. (1993) pp. 12
  • 22 Hymn Settings
    Composer/Editor Richard Heschke
    Published By: Concordia Publishing House (1990) pp. 22
  • Basic Hymn Accompaniments Volume II: Lent - Easter - Pentecost
    Composer/Editor Thomas R. Pearce
    Published By: Concordia Publishing House (1988) pp. 20
  • The Concordia Hymn Prelude Series Volume 11: Easter: M - Z
    Composer/Editors Herbert Gotsch; Kenneth T. Kosche
    Published By: Concordia Publishing House (1982) pp. 24, 27
  • 48 Hymn Decants for Festive and General Use: By Various Composers
    Composer/Editor Scott S. Withrow
    Published By: G. I. A. Publications, Inc. (1980) pp. 21

Harmonizations, Introductions, Descants, Intonations: Trombone Counter-melody

  • 61 Trombone Hymns & Counter-Melodies Volume 2
    Composer/Editor Douglas Smith
    Published By: Hope Publishing Company (1981) pp. 20

Harmonizations, Introductions, Descants, Intonations: Trumpet Descant

  • 61 Trumpet Hymns & Descants Volume 2
    Composer/Editor Douglas Smith
    Published By: Hope Publishing Company (1980) pp. 20

Organ Solo

  • Songs of Alleluia: 18 Short Hymn Settings for Eastaer
    Composer/Editor Edwin T. Childs
    Published By: MorningStar Music Publishers, Inc. (2021) pp. 18
  • Lift Your Hearts: Organ Settings on the Hymnody of Vaughan Williams
    Composer/Editor Douglas E. Wagner
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2019) pp. 14
  • The Organ Portfolio Volume 82 Number 5 May June 2019: The Service Music Anthology for the Church Organist
    Composer/Editors Carson Cooman; Douglas E. Wagner
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2019) pp. 24
  • The Organist's Library Volume 67
    Composer/Editor Douglas E. Wagner
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2019) pp. 58
  • Hymn Prelude Library Volume Ten Tunes S: Lutheran Service Book
    Composer/Editors Kevin J. Hildebrand; Robert J. Powell
    Published By: Concordia Publishing House (2016) pp. 76
  • Let All that Hath Breath: An Organ Album for the 50th Anniversary of the Association of Anglican Musicians
    Composer/Editor Dorothy J. Papadakos
    Published By: Selah Publishing Company, Inc. (2016) pp. 20
  • Glory of the Easter Feast: Organ Settings for the Season
    Composer/Editor Franklin D. Ashdown
    Published By: Augsburg Fortress (2014) pp. 32
  • Hymn Miniatures: 28 Practical Settings for the Church's Year
    Composer/Editor Rebecca Groom Te Velde
    Published By: Oxford University Press (2008) pp. 34
  • I Sing the Almighty Power of God Vol I: Organ Voluntaries on the Hymn Tunes of Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Composer/Editors Robert Lind; Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Published By: Paraclete Press (2008) pp. 30
  • Composer/Editor Robert J. Powell
    Published By: MorningStar Music Publishers, Inc. (2006) pp. 6
  • Thine the Glory: Accessible Organ Music for Lent and Easter
    Composer/Editor Michael A. Burkhardt
    Published By: MorningStar Music Publishers, Inc. (2005) pp. 32
  • The Sacred Organ Journal Volume 37 Number 4 March April 2003: A Bi-Monthly Anthology for Church Organists
    Composer/Editors Mark Barnard; Richard Blake
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (2003) pp. 8
  • The Philadelphia Organ Book: Six Short Pieces for the Church Year
    Composer/Editor Dorothy J. Papadakos
    Published By: Theodore Presser Company (2002) pp. 23
  • Worship the King: Six Short Pieces for the Church Year
    Composer/Editor Dorothy J. Papadakos
    Published By: Theodore Presser Company (2002) pp. 23
  • Five for Christmas
    Composer/Editor Raymond H. Haan
    Published By: MorningStar Music Publishers, Inc. (1999) pp. 3
  • Partita on Salve fest dies "Hail Thee, Festival Day": For Organ
    Composer/Editor Charles Callahan
    Published By: Concordia Publishing House (1999) pp. 2
  • Partita on Salve feste dies Hall Thee, Festival Day
    Composer/Editor Charles Callahan
    Published By: Concordia Publishing House (1999) pp. 2
  • 3 Hymns of Praise Set 5
    Composer/Editor Robert A. Hobby
    Published By: MorningStar Music Publishers, Inc. (1998) pp. 10
  • Laudate! Volume 4: Organ Music Based on the 100 Most Popular Hymns in Worship III and Gather
    Composer/Editors James W. Kosnik; Mary Beth Bennett
    Published By: Concordia Publishing House (1997) pp. 65
  • Interpretations Based on Hymn-Tunes Book XI: For Organ
    Composer/Editor David M. Cherwien
    Published By: Summa Productions (1994) pp. 8
  • The Concordia Hymn Prelude Series Volume 11: Easter: M - Z
    Composer/Editors Herbert Gotsch; Kenneth T. Kosche
    Published By: Concordia Publishing House (1982) pp. 22, 25

Piano Solo

  • The Church Pianist Volume 8 Number 4 March April 1992: The Pianist's Companion for the Church Year
    Composer/Editors Hugh S. Livingston, Jr.; Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Published By: Lorenz Publishing Company (1992) pp. 14
More arrangements^ top

Media

You have access to this FlexScore.
Download:
Are parts of this score outside of your desired range? Try transposing this FlexScore.
General Settings
Stanza Selection
Voice Selection
Text size:
Music size:
Transpose (Half Steps):
Capo:
Contacting server...
Contacting server...
Questions? Check out the FAQ

A separate copy of this score must be purchased for each choir member. If this score will be projected or included in a bulletin, usage must be reported to a licensing agent (e.g. CCLI, OneLicense, etc).

This is a preview of your FlexScore.
The Cyber Hymnal #2109
Text: Hail Thee, Festival Day
  • Adobe Acrobat image (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer score (NWC)
  • XML score (XML)
The United Methodist Hymnal #324
Text: Hail Thee, Festival Day
  • Bulletin Score (melody only) (PDF)
  • Bulletin Score (PDF)
  • Full Score (PDF)
^ top

Instances

Instances (1 - 63 of 63)

Ancient and Modern #237

Ancient and Modern #237

Anglican Hymns Old and New (Rev. and Enl.) #108

Anglican Hymns Old and New (Rev. and Enl.) #108

Catholic Book of Worship III #388

Catholic Book of Worship III #388

Catholic Book of Worship III #585

Catholic Book of Worship III #585

Christian Worship (1993) #179

Christian Worship (1993) #179
Text

Christian Worship #463

Christian Worship #463
TextPage Scan

Church Hymnary (4th ed.) #581

Church Hymnary (4th ed.) #581

Common Praise #399

Common Praise #399

Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New #95

Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New #95

Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New #256

Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New #256

Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New #257

Complete Anglican Hymns Old and New #257

CPWI Hymnal #267

CPWI Hymnal #267

El Himnario #149

El Himnario #149

El Himnario #173

El Himnario #173

El Himnario #181

El Himnario #181

El Himnario Presbiteriano #149

El Himnario Presbiteriano #149

El Himnario Presbiteriano #173

El Himnario Presbiteriano #173

El Himnario Presbiteriano #181

El Himnario Presbiteriano #181

Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary #398

Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary #398

Evangelical Lutheran Worship #394

Evangelical Lutheran Worship #394

Gather Comprehensive #450

Gather Comprehensive #450
Text InfoAudio

Glory to God #277

Glory to God #277

Hymns and Psalms #302

Hymns and Psalms #302

Hymns for Today's Church (2nd ed.) #229

Hymns for Today's Church (2nd ed.) #229

Hymns for Today's Church (2nd ed.) #383

Hymns for Today's Church (2nd ed.) #383
Text

Hymns of Glory, Songs of Praise #581

Hymns of Glory, Songs of Praise #581

Hymns of Truth & Light #43

Hymns of Truth & Light #43
TextPage Scan

Journeysongs (2nd ed.) #450

Journeysongs (2nd ed.) #450
TextPage Scan

Journeysongs (3rd ed.) #428

Journeysongs (3rd ed.) #428

Lutheran Service Book #489

Lutheran Service Book #489

Lutheran Worship #125

Lutheran Worship #125

Lutheran Worship #148

Lutheran Worship #148

Lutheran Worship #159

Lutheran Worship #159
TextPage Scan

One in Faith #470

One in Faith #470
Text InfoTune InfoAudio

Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #515

Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #515

Rejoice in the Lord #371

Rejoice in the Lord #371

Rejoice in the Lord #498

Rejoice in the Lord #498
Text

Renew! Songs and Hymns for Blended Worship #61

Renew! Songs and Hymns for Blended Worship #61
TextPage Scan

RitualSong (2nd ed.) #637

RitualSong (2nd ed.) #637

RitualSong (2nd ed.) #722

RitualSong (2nd ed.) #722
TextPage Scan

RitualSong #588

RitualSong #588

RitualSong #674

RitualSong #674
Audio

Small Church Music #1138

Small Church Music #1138
TextPage Scan

The A.M.E. Zion Hymnal #188

The A.M.E. Zion Hymnal #188

The Book of Praise #244

The Book of Praise #244

The Christian Life Hymnal #187

The Christian Life Hymnal #187
TextScoreAudio

The Cyber Hymnal #2109

The Cyber Hymnal #2109
Text

The Hymnal 1982 #175

The Hymnal 1982 #175

The Hymnal 1982 #216

The Hymnal 1982 #216
Text

The Hymnal 1982 #225

The Hymnal 1982 #225

The New Century Hymnal #262

The New Century Hymnal #262

The New English Hymnal #109b

The New English Hymnal #109b

The Presbyterian Hymnal #120

The Presbyterian Hymnal #120
Text InfoTextFlexScoreAudioPage Scan

The United Methodist Hymnal #324

The United Methodist Hymnal #324

The United Methodist Hymnal Music Supplement #313

The United Methodist Hymnal Music Supplement #313
Page Scan

The United Methodist Hymnal Music Supplement II #164

The United Methodist Hymnal Music Supplement II #164

Together in Song #423

Together in Song #423

Together in Song #424

Together in Song #424
Text

Voices United #163

Voices United #163

Worship (3rd ed.) #444

Worship (3rd ed.) #444

Worship (3rd ed.) #538

Worship (3rd ed.) #538
TextPage Scan

Worship (4th ed.) #524

Worship (4th ed.) #524

生命聖詩 - Hymns of Life, 1986 #151

生命聖詩 - Hymns of Life, 1986 #151
Include 10 pre-1979 instances
All instances^ top
Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.