Words: Henry Vaughan, Silex Scintillans, or Sacred Poems, 1650. Music: Vulpius, Melchior Vulpius, Ein Schön Geistlich Gesangbuch (Jena, Germany: 1609). My soul, there is a country, Afar beyond the stars, Where stands a wingèd sentry, All skillful in the wars. There, above noise and danger, Sweet Peace sits crowned with smiles, And One born in a manger Commands the beauteous files. […]
Words: John Newton, Olney Hymns (London: W. Oliver, 1779). Music: St. Peter (Reinagle), Alexander R. Reinagle, Psalm Tunes for the Voice and Pianoforte (Oxford, England: 1836). Alternate tunes: Heber, George Kingsley, 1838 Ortonville, Thomas Hastings, 1837 How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds In a believer’s ear! It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, And drives away his fear. It makes the wounded spirit […]
Words: William Cowper, in Twenty-six Letters on Religious Subjects, by John Newton, 1774. It is reportedly the last hymn Cowper ever wrote, with a fascinating (though unsubstantiated) story behind it. Cowper often struggled with depression and doubt. One night he decided to commit suicide by drowning himself. He called a cab and told the driver to take […]
Words: James Montgomery, Poet’s Portfolio, 1835. Music: Terra Beata, traditional English melody, arranged by Franklin L. Sheppard in his Alleluia, 1915. Alternate tune: Nearer Home, Isaac B. Woodbury, 1852; harmony by Arthur S. Sullivan, 1874 “Forever with the Lord!” Amen, so let it be! Life from His death is in that word ’Tis immortality. Here in the body pent, Absent from Him I […]
Words: Katharina A. von Schlegel, in Neue Sammlung Geistlicher Lieder, 1752 (Stille, meine Wille, dein Jesus hilft siegen); translated from German to English by Jane L. Borthwick in Hymns from the Land of Luther, 1855. Music: Finlandia, Jean Sibelius, 1899. Alternate tune: Unde et Memores, William H. Monk, 1875 This hymn was reportedly the favorite of Eric Liddell, the athlete who became […]
Words: William C. Dix, Altar Songs, Verses on the Holy Eucharist, 1867. Music: Hyfrydol, Rowland H. Prichard, 1830. Alternate tunes: Adoration (Luard-Selby), Bertram Luard-Selby, in Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1904 Alleluia (Wesley), Samuel S.Wesley, in the European Psalmist, 1872 Alleluia! sing to Jesus! His the scepter, His the throne. Alleluia! His the triumph, His the victory alone. Hark! the songs of peaceful Zion […]
Words: John Ellerton, A Liturgy for Missionary Meetings, 1870. Queen Victoria chose this hymn to be sung at the 60th anniversary of her reign in 1897; it was also sung at the ceremony when Britain returned control of Hong Kong to China in 1997. Music: St. Clement, Clement C. Scholefield, written for this text, and appearing in Church Hymns with […]
Words: Scottish Psalter, 1650. Music: Crimond, Jessie S. Irvine, 1872. Alternate tunes: Belmont, William Gardiner, 1812 Evan, William H. Havergal, 1847; arranged by Lowell Mason, 1850 Martyrdom, Hugh Wilson, 1800; arranged by Ralph E. Hudson, circa 1885 Orlington, John Campbell (1807-1860) (repeats third line of each verse) Wiltshire, George T. Smart, 1795 The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want. He makes me down to lie In pastures green; He […]
Words: Henry F. Lyte, Spirit of the Psalms, 1834. This hymn was sung at the wedding of the future Queen Elizabeth II of Britain, in Westminster Abbey, London, 1947. Music: Lauda Anima, John Goss, in Supplemental Hymn and Tune Book, third edition with new Appendix, by Robert Brown-Borthwick, 1869. Alternate tunes: Benediction (Haydn), Franz J. Haydn (1732-1809) Regent Square, Henry T. Smart, 1867 […]
Words: John Q. Adams (1767-1848). Music: Hamburg, Lowell Mason, 1824; first appeared in The Boston Handel and Haydn Society Collection of Church Music, third edition, 1825. O Lord my God! how great art Thou! With honor and with glory crowned; Light’s dazzling splendors veil Thy brow, And gird the universe around. Spirits and angels Thou hast made; Thy ministers a […]
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