Judy Davies

Born at Leicester on 5 June 1935.

Judy Davies gained a Classics degree from Cambridge University and has taught classics. She is involved with the choir and preparation of music in the services at St Mary's Church, West Horsley, Surrey. She lives in East Horsley, the next village.

As an author and composer, she belongs to the 'Jubilate' network of writers. Her best-known text is a version of the Benedicite, 'Bless the Lord, created things', which was published in 'Come, Rejoice' (1989) and 'Psalms for Today' (1990) to a traditional tune, and in 'Hymns for the People' (1993) to a new one, 'Created Things', composed by Christopher Norton.

She also contributed two of her own carols (words and music) to 'Carol Praise' in 1987. 'Clap your hands, you people; shout to God' comes from Psalm 47, while 'Play your pipe, bang your drum' (to her tune 'Shepherds' Dance', with plenty of scope for children's percussion) is a shorter and slightly varied version of her text in 'Praise God Together' (1984), which also includes 'Put your hand in your neighbour's hand'. Other texts appeared in the 'Hymns and Congregational Songs' project in 1988-91.