James George Walton
1821 - 1905
Biography
James George Walton was an English-born musician and arranger associated most securely with the later form of the tune ST. CATHERINE. He was born at Clitheroe, Lancashire, in 1821 and died in Bradford, New York, in 1905. Reliable biographical information about his life is limited, and sources do not establish his denominational affiliation clearly enough to state it with confidence.
Walton’s documented musical work includes editing Plain Song Music for the Holy Communion Office in 1874. His principal hymnological significance comes from his treatment of Hemy’s 1864 melody. Hymnals variously describe Walton as adapter, arranger, or composer of the refrain; published dates for his contribution differ, commonly falling between 1870 and 1874. The important distinction is that Hemy supplied the earlier melody, while Walton shaped the later form widely known as ST. CATHERINE and associated with Faith of Our Fathers.
This layered attribution explains why some hymnals name both Hemy and Walton as composers, while others credit Hemy as composer and Walton as adapter or as composer of the refrain.
Walton’s documented musical work includes editing Plain Song Music for the Holy Communion Office in 1874. His principal hymnological significance comes from his treatment of Hemy’s 1864 melody. Hymnals variously describe Walton as adapter, arranger, or composer of the refrain; published dates for his contribution differ, commonly falling between 1870 and 1874. The important distinction is that Hemy supplied the earlier melody, while Walton shaped the later form widely known as ST. CATHERINE and associated with Faith of Our Fathers.
This layered attribution explains why some hymnals name both Hemy and Walton as composers, while others credit Hemy as composer and Walton as adapter or as composer of the refrain.
Hymns by James George Walton
Faith of Our Fathers
Role: Composer