John Darwall
John Darwall was an English clergyman and hymnodist.
Born in the village of Haughton in Staffordshire, Darwall was educated at Manchester Grammar School and at Brasenose College, Oxford, graduating in 1756. He then became curate and later vicar of St Matthew's Parish in Walsall. In 1766 he married to Mary Whateley, his second wife, a published poet who ran a printing press and also wrote hymns. He died on 18 December 1789 at Walsall in the West Midlands. He was buried at the Bath Street Burial Grounds.
He is probably best known for his setting of Psalm 148, known as DARWALL'S 148th, which is most often sung to the words "Rejoice the Lord is King" and to "Ye holy angels bright". It was first sung at the inauguration of a new organ in 1773.
Darwall also wrote many tunes for the New Version of Nahum Tate and Nicholas Brady, as well as poetry published in The Gentleman's Magazine.Son
Darwall's son, also John, was vicar in 1796 and Lecturer of St John's Chapel, Deritend, Birmingham.
