Froxfield Choir

Henry Purcell: Thou know’st Lord (1687)

An anthem possibly written as early as 1687 but now best known because it was sung in 1695 at the funeral of Queen Mary II. There are two known arrangements, one a verse anthem, one for full choir. The text comes from the burial service in the Book of Common Prayer.

Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts;
shut not, shut not thy merciful ears unto our prayer;
but spare us, Lord, spare us, Lord most holy,
O God, O God most mighty,
O holy and most merciful Saviour,
thou most worthy Judge eternal,
suffer us not, suffer us not at our last hour,
for any pains of death, for any pains of death,
to fall, to fall from thee. Amen.