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The Hymn Tune "Saffron Walden"

This tune, usually sung to the hymn "Just as I am," was written by Arthur Henry Brown (1830-1926.) The author was, in the words of the Essex Review, "A man of whom the county should be proud, for his contributions to church music."  He was appointed organist at Brentwood Parish Church at the age of 10, and served for forty years; he was also organist of Brentwood School Chapel, and, as such, was keenly interested in sacred music for the young.  He wrote many hymn-tunes and carols, often scribbled on an odd scrap of paper.  One of his best, Purleigh, (for the hymn "Love divine, how sweet thou art,")  was written in Romford Church one Sunday morning before the bells were rung!

Apparently he was a keen cyclist, and used to tour Essex and the locality, and he would allocate the names of some of his favourite haunts to his hymn-tunes.   Whether there was ever any specific reason for calling a tune after a particular spot is not known; certainly there is no recorded reason for this particular tune to be called "Saffron Walden."