The choirs of Westminster Abbey and the Chapel Royal of St James’s Palace, organists, state trumpeter and the Queen’s Piper performed during the service. The CBC News Network will broadcast the Queen’s funeral at 7 p.m. ET. The palace has yet to say which songs were chosen by the Queen herself, but did provide details about the special meaning behind some of them. Before the service officially began, organists played as more than 2,000 dignitaries gathered inside Westminster Abbey. Members of the royal family sing as Queen Elizabeth’s coffin is placed at the altar during her state funeral at Westminster Abbey in London on Monday. Two choirs, organists, a trumpeter and the Queen also played during the service. (Ben Stansall/Reuters) After the pallbearers who carried the Queen’s coffin reached the entrance to the abbey, the choir of Westminster Abbey began to sing the Sentences – five verses of scripture set to music by two deceased abbey organists from the 1600s and 1700s. The two choirs sang the last two movements together as the coffin was carried to the front of the abbey, with the royal family following behind. The Penances have been used at every British state funeral since the early 18th century, Buckingham Palace said. After the Dean of Westminster gave The Bidding, including thanks for the Queen’s “lifelong sense of duty and devotion”, all those gathered inside the abbey sang the first hymn, The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended.
Tracks with a special composition
This was followed by a reading by Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland. The choir sang Like as the Hart, a setting of Psalm 42 set to music specially commissioned for the funeral. The music was written by British composer Judith Weir, who holds the title of Master of the King’s Music — a role within the royal household where she composes music at the monarch’s request. The song was inspired by Queen Elizabeth’s “unwavering Christian faith”, Buckingham Palace said. Members of the royal family, front right, and church leaders sing during the funeral. Those present sang three hymns. (Ben Stansall/Reuters) British Prime Minister Liz Truss then read, after which those present sang The Lord’s My Shepherd, a hymn that had special meaning for the Queen: It was sung at her wedding to Prince Philip in 1947. After a sermon by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the choir sang My Soul, There Is a Country, directed by Hubert Parry, which the palace described as “A Hymn of Great Hope”. After a series of prayers from other church leaders, the choir sang O Taste and See How Gracious the Lord Is, which was composed for Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953. This was followed by another hymn, Blaenwern, which was sung by those present. The Archbishop of Canterbury then gave a eulogy, which was followed by another song specially commissioned for the funeral service. The song, Who Shall Separate Us?, set words from Romans 8 to new music written by Scottish composer James MacMillan. On Twitter, MacMillan said he was “deeply honored” to be asked to write the song. I was very honored to be invited to write a new hymn “Who Shall Divide Us?” for the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. He has been a constant presence in my life and an inspiration to countless millions around the world. https://t.co/opjUnumI6f —@jamesmacm Just before the end of the funeral, four buglers from the British Army Cavalry played The Last Post, which is often heard at military funerals or commemorations. Two minutes of silence followed, before trumpeters sounded The Reveille, which marks a service member rising above his mortal duties. (You can read more about The Last Post and Reveille and their use in Canada here.) Attendees then sang the British national anthem, God Save the King, before the Sovereign’s Piper of the Royal Regiment of Scotland played a traditional bagpipe lament, Sleep, Dearie, Sleep. The piper usually has the unique role of playing outside the sovereign’s window for 15 minutes each morning to wake them up. The Queen’s Piper played Sleep, Dearie, Sleep at the end of the funeral. (Phil Noble/The Associated Press) As an organist played, the coffin was carried from the abbey to begin its procession to the Queen’s final resting place at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
