Musician and entertainer Sigurd Barrett has written a new hymn for Viborg Cathedral’s 150th anniversary. The hymn premiered Sunday at a jubilee service in the cathedral.
The hymn is titled “Min kirke hviler på granit”, and Barrett wrote both the text and the music. DR reports that it had its official debut earlier in the day, before the anniversary celebration culminated in a jubilee service.
Barrett has close personal ties to the church in Viborg. Per DR, he was baptized and confirmed there, married there, and buried both of his parents there. He calls the cathedral his own church.
According to his comments to DR, Barrett has an endless series of good stories from his own life connected to the building. He described the invitation to write a hymn for the anniversary as a great honor and joy.
Henrik Stubkjær, bishop of Viborg Diocese, told DR that it matters that Barrett in particular wrote the hymn. As stated by the bishop, the text speaks of Barrett’s love for the cathedral. He expects it to be sung widely, not only in Viborg but across the country.
A jubilee marking 150 years
According to Viborg Cathedral’s own program for the anniversary, the celebration marks 150 years since the current building was completed. The present cathedral stood finished in 1876. The cathedral has marked the milestone with a dedicated jubilee week of events.
The new hymn was created in cooperation with both the parish council and staff from Viborg Cathedral. DR reports that the sense of community in the church means a great deal to Barrett. He describes the cathedral as a gathering point enjoyed by many thousands of people every year.
The jubilee service included a flyover of the cathedral by the Danish air force, according to DR’s report. The service brought the anniversary week to its close on Sunday, September 13.
Barrett said he hopes the hymn will remain in use for many years to come. He added that he is glad and proud that it was presented in Viborg.
Barrett is one of Denmark’s best known children’s entertainers and musicians, and has previously worked with religious and historical material for a broad audience. The hymn is his contribution to the cathedral’s official anniversary program, alongside the other events held during the jubilee week.
Viborg Cathedral is the seat of Viborg Diocese, one of the dioceses of the Danish national church. Stubkjær, who has served as bishop there, led the jubilee service marking the 150 years.
Neither DR nor the cathedral’s program states when the hymn will next be sung publicly. The cathedral’s anniversary material lists the jubilee service as the concluding event of the week.
