John Bacchus Dykes

John Bacchus Dykes was an English clergyman and musician, born in 1823 and died in 1876. He wrote hymn tunes, short melodies meant to be sung by a congregation, and several have lasted well beyond his own century. Among them are the tunes for Holy, Holy, Holy and for Eternal Father, Strong to Save, the hymn known in the United States as the Navy Hymn.

A Dykes tune is built for people to sing together, so it is simple and steady. The melody moves mostly by small steps, the rhythm is regular and the harmony is rich and warm in the manner of Victorian church music. Phrases rise slowly and settle, giving the sense of solemn calm. His tune for the Navy Hymn has a gentle sway like waves, with a verse that builds toward a strong, hopeful last line. Each tune lasts about a minute per verse, and a hymn usually has several verses. In concert, orchestras play arrangements with strings and brass carrying the melody, often to honor service members or close a program.

John Bacchus Dykes was born in Hull, in northern England, in 1823. He studied at Cambridge University and was ordained in the Church of England. He also kept up his music, and as a young man he played the organ and violin.

In 1849 he moved to Durham, where he served as a minister in the cathedral and later as precentor, the person in charge of the church's music. He later became vicar of a parish church in Durham. During these years he wrote many hymn tunes, and he gave them names that were then printed in the popular hymn book Hymns Ancient and Modern.

Dykes died in 1876 at the age of 52. His tunes remain in hymn books in Britain and the United States.