Strength and Tenderness: Volume 2(2 Strength and Tenderness)

Strength and Tenderness, Doug Constable's first collection consisting of a hundred hymns and some poems, was warmly received. This further collection ranges more widely and contains four sections: recent poems (a sequence of twenty-seven sonnets responding to George Herbert's Prayer, plus other pieces inserted throughout the book), thirty-two hymns, eight songs for voice and keyboard, seven choral works, and two short pieces for piano. All the music - for hymns, songs and choral settings - range in style from simple and easily-learned to pieces for which some musical background would be helpful. Doug is an Anglican priest living in south-west Wales. While still at school, he was a church organist and choir director, and and played piano in dance bands. As a minister, he served in housing estates, university chaplaincy, holiday conference-retreat chaplaincy, and inner-city parishes in Bristol, North Devon, Derby and Southampton. Married with three children and three adult grandchildren, he is a progressive traditionalist and radical ecumenist, resolutely opposed to all forms of violence.

Review :
Douglas Constable's work reveals a rare - indeed, a fearless - inventiveness and a quite remarkable variety of expression. A number of the hymn texts deserve to find a place in more than one thoughtful, modern collection where contemporary emphases on Christian theological understanding and practical living are welcomed. In particular, the twenty-seven sonnets based on one of George Herbert's own are a masterpiece of inventiveness. Here, as in a number of the hymns, Constable has a flair for the creation of a striking phrase which lodges in the memory, to be recalled at will, like a welcome guest.John Crothers, ARSCM, author, musician, member of the Executive Committee of the Hymn Society of Great Britain and IrelandHaving greatly appreciated his earlier Strength and Tenderness, it gives me the greatest of pleasure to welcome and commend this second collection by the Reverend Douglas Constable. I have been associated with Doug over a number of years, and I can testify that his ability to convey the Christian message through words and music is not only inspirational, but enables us to connect with the divine in a deeply spiritual way.Dorrien Davies, Bishop of St Davids, PembrokeshireDoug Constable's hymn texts are refreshing. His exploration of less-travelled pathways in church history is enlightening; his original insights stir the imagination and understanding; and his choice of language is frequently arresting and invigorating. A high point of this collection is the sequence of sonnets responding to 'Prayer I', in which Doug unpacks George Herbert's compressed phraseology, image by image, to give a set of poems which are delightful in themselves as well as providing a fine commentary on the original. Here, as elsewhere, Doug takes a tradition, shapes it as his own, and passes it on to enrich hisreaders. Martin Leckebusch. Hymn poet, Executive President of The Hymn Society of Great Britain & IrelandDoug takes us on a joyful and surprising journey. Words and music in myriad forms reveal private joys, moving insights and a great humanity. We are drawn into a kaleidoscope of Christian witness. Here is simplicity and devotion in hymn settings; anarchic boldness in more experimental works, sublime chords and singability as the words of St Francis are re imagined, together with the delightful use of familiar tunes, witnessed 'In the Church of the Unlikely'. From crafted sonnets to moving blank verse, these pages reflect Doug's generosity of spirit, and in submitting all to God, the result is an abundant supply of good things.Parch Rhian MorganThis new collection of 'Strength and Tenderness' introduces us to