“O Taste and See,” by the legendary English composer, Ralph Vaughan Williams, is a standard in the repertoire. The composer’s first name is not pronounced like you might think, but rather, “Rafe.” This is how he pronounced it, perhaps as a nod to the Old English pronunciation. This anthem was written for the late Queen’s coronation in 1953, which took place in Westminster Abbey, where Vaughan Williams himself was laid to rest five years later. His grave marker is on the south side, by the rood screen.

I had originally planned on using another version of this anthem, but when we sang through it in rehearsal, I got strange looks. There is no comparison. Vaughan Williams’s version is the definitive champ. There are several hymns like that, too. Can you imagine how strange it would seem to sing the words, “Praise God from whom all blessings flow” to any other tune than the one that you’re imagining right now? Of course not, but how does an artist get the honor of receiving the reigning, crown-jewel idea?

It’s easy, consider the source. Vaughan Williams was inspired, seemingly by the occasion of the Queen’s coronation. But the real source of inspiration came not from Her Majesty, but from HIS majesty, from the great I AM. After the coronation, this piece went viral before anybody even knew what viral was. If I didn’t know any better, I’d be jealous of Vaughan Williams. But, since all good ideas originate from God in the first place, how could you be jealous of any individual who does something extraordinary? Perhaps it’s better to marvel and to be grateful that God uses specific artists to express beauty in the world. You just might be the next one! Remain receptive.  

In 1000 B.C., a simple shepherd boy named David was inspired to write a poem about the goodness and graciousness of our creator. In 1953, those same words were reignited when a gentle-spirited, Englishman named “Rafe,” set them to music. What an amazing bestowal, a whispered idea, direct from the heart of God and into the hearts of creative people, spanning 3,000 years of history. Oh, that I would be so fortunate to receive such a message from the source of the universe, and produce a one-of-a-kind something that goes viral – not to be famous, but because it inspires, helps others, and makes a difference!

I cannot imagine a new, more effective version of DaVinci’s Mona Lisa, Michelangelo’s David, or Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. I cannot even imagine a “better” version of Ryan Hebert for that matter. I’m not without my mistakes, but we are all the definitive version of ourselves, and the Vaughan Williams “O Taste and See ” is the definitive version of this anthem. When the choir sang that other version, I could tell they sensed it was a “forgery.” I guess that teaches us something. You can only be who you were meant to be. If you try to be somebody you’re not, or do something you’re not meant to do, others will sniff you out as a fake. That’s what being “a natural” is all about – owning up to the definitive version of yourself.  

Our handiwork is ultimately touched by God. Of course, we are a product of God’s own handiwork. If your ideas go viral, great, if not – also great. You are already a product of God’s greatness. The point is to follow through on good ideas because we know where they come from. If “your” handiwork produces something definitive, and it touches the world, congratulations; but don’t forget to give credit where credit is due.  Soli deo Gloria!