Introduction
George Frederic Handel’s anthem ‘Zadok the Priest’, shamelessly plagiariased for UEFA’s ‘Champions League Anthem’, has been part of every coronation in England since 1727, and the words were chosen by a saint over a thousand years ago.
KING George II was crowned King of Great Britain in Westminster Abbey on October 11th, 1727. At the moment of his anointing,* an anthem was sung which had been used at this point in the ceremony ever since the coronation of King Edgar and Queen Ælfthryth in 973, at the hands of St Dunstan (who also compiled the service).
Zadok the Priest, and Nathan the Prophet, anointed
Solomon King;
And all the people rejoiced and said,
God save
the King!
This recalls the day in about 970 BC, when, at the urging of his wife Bathsheba, the aging King David resigned the throne of Israel to his son Solomon.**
It was court composer George Frederic Handel, however, who picked out this anthem for special treatment at the coronation of King George. His grand setting for choir and orchestra has been sung at every coronation since then, including that of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
Actually, the choir got confused and sang it in the wrong place.
** See 1 Kings 1:29-39.
Related Video
Media not showing? Let me know!
Zadok the Priest, and Nathan the prophet, anointed Solomon
King;
And all the people rejoiced and said,
God save the King! Long live the King!
May the King live for ever,
Amen, Allelujah.
Précis
‘Zadok the Priest’ is an anthem composed by George Frederic Handel for the coronation of King George II in 1727. It sets to music words used at the anointing of the King since the time of Edgar in 973, and Handel’s grand setting has been sung at every coronation from King George to Queen Elizabeth II. (56 / 60 words)
‘Zadok the Priest’ is an anthem composed by George Frederic Handel for the coronation of King George II in 1727. It sets to music words used at the anointing of the King since the time of Edgar in 973, and Handel’s grand setting has been sung at every coronation from King George to Queen Elizabeth II.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: although, besides, despite, may, not, otherwise, ought, whereas.
Archive
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Ever. Grand. Rejoice.
2 Crown. Sing. Wife.
3 Composer. Great. However.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
Add Vowels Find in Think and Speak
Make words by adding vowels to each group of consonants below. You may add as many vowels as you like before, between or after the consonants, but you may not add any consonants or change the order of those you have been given. See if you can beat our target of common words.
mp (5+1)
amp. imp. map. mop. mope.
ump.
You are welcome to share your creativity with me, or ask for help with any of the exercises on Clay Lane. Write to me at this address:
See more at Email Support.
If you like what I’m doing here on Clay Lane, from time to time you could buy me a coffee.
Buy Me a Coffee is a crowdfunding website, used by over a million people. It is designed to help content creators like me make a living from their work. ‘Buy Me a Coffee’ prides itself on its security, and there is no need to register.
