O Perfect Love: Wedding Song by H. T. Burleigh and Dorothy F. Blomfield

(9 User reviews)   5626
English
Have you ever wondered about the story behind a song you've heard at weddings for years? 'O Perfect Love' is more than just sheet music – it's a quiet mystery wrapped in two names. The book centers on the strange fact that this beautiful wedding standard is credited to 'Unknown,' even though we know the composer H. T. Burleigh and poet Dorothy F. Blomfield. Why did their names fade from the piece they created? This isn't a thriller, but a gentle, fascinating search for recognition. It explores how art can become so familiar we forget the people who made it. If you love music, history, or just a good real-life puzzle, you'll be pulled into this quest to give credit where it's long overdue.
Share

Read "O Perfect Love: Wedding Song by H. T. Burleigh and Dorothy F. Blomfield" Online

This book is available in the public domain. Start reading the digital edition below.

START READING FULL BOOK
Instant Access    Mobile Friendly

Book Preview

A short preview of the book’s content is shown below to give you an idea of its style and themes.

Including a Vindication of the Traditional Reading of 1 Timothy III. 16. By John William Burgon, B.D. Dean of Chichester. “Little children,—Keep yourselves from idols.”—1 John v. 21. Dover Publications, Inc. New York 1971 CONTENTS Dedication. Preface. Article I. The New Greek Text. Article II. The New English Version. Article III. Westcott And Hort’s New Textual Theory. Letter To Bishop Ellicott, In Reply To His Pamphlet. Appendix Of Sacred Codices. Index I, of Texts of Scripture,—quoted, discussed, or only referred to in this volume. Index II, of Fathers. Index III, Persons, Places, and Subjects. Footnotes [Transcriber’s Note: This book contains much Greek text, which will not be well-rendered in plain text versions of this E-book. Also, there is much use of Greek characters with a vertical bar across the tops of the letters to indicate abbreviations; because the coding system used in this e-book does not have such an “overline”, they are rendered here with underlines. It also contains some text in Syriac, which is written right-to-left; for the sake of different transcription methods, it is transcribed here in both right-to-left and left-to-rights, so that regardless of the medium of this E-book, one or the other should be readable.] The following is PREBENDARY SCRIVENER’S recently published estimate of the System on which DRS. WESTCOTT AND HORT have constructed their “_Revised Greek Text of the New Testament_” (1881).—That System, the Chairman of the Revising Body (BISHOP ELLICOTT) has entirely adopted (see below, pp. 391 to 397), and made the basis of his Defence of THE REVISERS and their “_New Greek Text._” (1.) “There is little hope for the stability of their imposing structure, if _its foundations have been laid on the sandy ground of ingenious conjecture_. And, since barely the smallest vestige of historical evidence has ever been alleged in support of the views of these accomplished Editors, their teaching must either be received as intuitively true, or _dismissed from our consideration as precarious and even visionary_.” (2.) “DR. HORT’S System _is entirely destitute of historical foundation_.” (3.) “We are compelled to repeat as emphatically as ever our strong conviction that the Hypothesis to whose proof he has devoted so many laborious years, _is destitute not only of historical foundation, but of all probability, resulting from the internal goodness of the Text which its adoption would force upon us_.” (4.) “ ‘We cannot doubt’ (says DR. HORT) ‘that S. Luke xxiii. 34 comes from an extraneous source.’ [_Notes_, p. 68.]—_Nor can we, on our part, doubt_,” (rejoins DR. SCRIVENER,) “_that the System which entails such consequences is hopelessly self-condemned_.” SCRIVENER’S “Plain Introduction,” &c. [ed. 1883]: pp. 531, 537, 542, 604. DEDICATION. To The Right Hon. Viscount Cranbrook, G.C.S.I., &c., &c., &c. MY DEAR LORD CRANBROOK, _Allow me the gratification of dedicating the present Volume to yourself; but for whom—(I reserve the explanation for another day)—it would never have been written._ _This is not, (as you will perceive at a glance,) the Treatise which a few years ago I told you I had in hand; and which, but for the present hindrance, might by this time have been completed. It has however_ grown out _of that other work in the manner explained at the beginning of my Preface. Moreover it contains not a few specimens of the argumentation of which the work in question, when at last it sees the light, will be discovered to be full._ _My one object has been to defeat the mischievous attempt which was made in 1881 to thrust upon this Church and Realm a Revision of the Sacred Text, which—recommended though it be by eminent names—I...

This is a limited preview. Download the book to read the full content.

This book isn't a novel, but the story it tells is compelling. It starts with a song almost everyone knows, the classic wedding hymn 'O Perfect Love.' The melody is by Harry T. Burleigh, a groundbreaking Black composer, and the words are by Dorothy F. Blomfield. Yet, for decades, countless publications simply listed the arranger as 'Unknown.' The book follows the journey of researchers and music lovers as they piece together how this happened, tracing the song's path through hymnals and history to understand why the true creators were erased.

Why You Should Read It

This story hits you in a personal way. It makes you think about all the art we enjoy without knowing who made it. Learning about Burleigh's immense talent and struggles adds a powerful layer. It's about more than fixing a credit line; it's about restoring a legacy. The book asks us to look closer at the beautiful things we take for granted and remember the human hands and hearts behind them.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who loves music history, unsung stories, or a quiet detective story. It's a quick, thoughtful read that will change how you hear a familiar song. You'll walk away not just informed, but with a real sense of having helped, in a small way, to set the record straight.



⚖️ No Rights Reserved

This publication is available for unrestricted use. Distribute this work to help spread literacy.

Melissa Walker
1 year ago

Good quality content.

Kenneth Wilson
8 months ago

I came across this while browsing and the clarity of the writing makes this accessible. One of the best books I've read this year.

Margaret Anderson
3 months ago

Compatible with my e-reader, thanks.

Kimberly Williams
10 months ago

I started reading out of curiosity and it challenges the reader's perspective in an intellectual way. This story will stay with me.

William Garcia
1 year ago

Honestly, the author's voice is distinct and makes complex topics easy to digest. A valuable addition to my collection.

4.5
4.5 out of 5 (9 User reviews )

Add a Review

Your Rating *
There are no comments for this eBook.
You must log in to post a comment.
Log in


Related eBooks