Can someone tell me the name of this hymn tune? It shows up in a couple of pieces by Virgil Thomson. Any help identifying it is greatly appreciated.
I listened, but I didn’t recognize it. Sorry. (I only replied because I didn’t want you to think everyone was ignoring you.)
You got me. Doesn’t sound familiar.
Thanks, Thudlow.
I cut my teeth on a capella hymn singing, but you’ve stumped me as well.
Sorry, no help. The only hymn tune I can identify by name is Hyfrodol, and it ain’t that.
Know a lot of hymns, don’t know this one, doing my part to keep your thread bumped up.
Know lots of hymns, may know this one, can’t listen to it here.
Got it!
The tune is “Resignation” (Southern Harmony) with the text “My Shepherd shall supply my need.” It’s also called “Irwinton” (Sacred Harp, 1991 ed), with the text, “What poor despised company / Of travelers are these.”
“My Shepherd Will Supply My Need.” If you watch enough Ken Burns documentaries, you’ll hear it. 
It’s beautiful and sounds Shaker to me.
Here’s a performance by full boy’s choir.
EDITED and beaten, damn it.
Thanks for that link.
It is a paraphrase of Psalm 23. Here it is in an 1839 hymn book called The Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs of the Rev. Isaac Watts. I don’t think it’s an Isaac Watts hymn though. It seems to have been a paraphrase by C. M. Barby, of whom I know nothing.
I have a very nice recording of it, FM-quality and monaural but digitized, from an out-of-print vinyl LP. I would be happy to send it along.
Speaking of hymns in the movie "Atonement "it shows British troops on Dunkirk beach awaiting evacuation by sea when it shows some Brit troops singing a hymn.
I recognise the hymn ,I went to a British Grammar school where we were all supposed to go on to join the middle classes or become junior officers and make the sacrifice .
The hymn was one that was drummed into our heads ,bit like brainwashing really,does anyone know it and why were we exposed to it so often?
And its totally bugging me
Virgil Thompson not only used the tune in other pieces, he did a choral setting of “My Shepherd Shall Supply My Need” that has to be one of the most beautiful pieces of vocal music ever.
If I’m thinking of the right tune (and I believe I am), I first became aware of Resignation when it was used during the 9/11 memorial service at the Nathional Cathedral in Washington. A hauntingly captivating tune; I scribbled it out and kept an eye out for the original. I once worked on an organ setting of the tune, but never finished it for some reason. Mebbe I’ll dig it out and have another go at it.
[I can’t resist another observation on the memorial service mentioned above. It was, by far, the most effective use of the hymn “A Mighty Fortress” that I have ever heard. (“And tho’ this world with devils filled / Should threaten to undo us . . .”)]
Cheers for that.