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This song was composed by James Leach who was born in Wardle, near Rochdale in 1762. A weaver by trade, he was a staunch Methodist, and as
a very young man, composed tunes which became very popular in local worship, many of them finding their way into the manuscript books of
the Larks Of Dean. Following appreciative comments about his compositions from John Wesley in 1788, he became a professor of music in Rochdale and published
his "New Sett Of Hymns and Psalm-Tunes" the following year. Five years later, he moved to Salford, and then to Manchester, publishing a "Second Sett of Hymns and Psalm-Tunes" in 1797,
where this tune appears. He continued teaching in Rochdale and on one of his journeys to the town, the coach in which he was travelling overturned and he was killed instantly, aged only 36. He was buried at
Union Street Methodist Chapel Cemetery in Rochdale, where this tune was carved on his gravestone.
This recording was made at Canon Lewis Hall, Holcombe Brook in 1999. Egypt is a very moving funeral hymn. Our treatment is intended to reflect the custom of carrying the coffin all the way from the deceased person's house to the graveyard. The
singing is heard distant at first, and gradually builds as the funeral party comes nearer, ending on a final loud note of triumph as the mourners reflect on the glories of the after-life.
Transcribed/edited by Jean Seymour, August 1996.
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