Funeral Anthem for Queen Caroline

[5] Handel received the commission for her funeral and composed the anthem within a week to a text chosen by the sub-dean of Westminster Abbey, Edward Willes, mostly from the Biblical books of Lamentations and Job.

"[5] The Duke of Chandos, Handel's former patron, wrote of the anthem "the composition was exceedingly fine, and adapted very properly to the melancholy occasion.

"[2] The anthem is written for four vocal soloists, soprano, alto, tenor and bass, a mixed choir and orchestra of strings, two oboes, and continuo instruments.

(Lamentations 1:1) Soli & Chorus: The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance (Psalms 112:6) and the wise will shine as the brightness of the firmament (Daniel 12:3).

The anthem begins with a chorus that recalls the chorales used in the Lutheran church services Handel attended and composed music for as a young man.

Tender choruses "When the ear heard her" and "She delivered the poor", expressing the Queen's gentle character, alternate with repeated and powerful choral interjections of "How are the mighty fall'n."

[5][4] The chorus "Their bodies are buried in peace" quotes the music of Jacob Handl's setting of Ecce quomodo moritur justus.