Hymn Story: Go to dark Gethsemane

Go to dark Gethsemane was written by James Montgomery. He was born in 1771 Ayrshire, Scotland. His parents died on the mission field while he was at boarding school.

He is said to have a passion for missions, be independent minded and express radical ideas and causes. Montgomery was imprisoned briefly when he printed a song that celebrated the fall of the Bastille and again when he described a riot in Sheffield that reflected unfavorably on a military commander. He also protested against slavery, the lot of boy chimney sweeps, and lotteries. He published eleven volumes of poetry, mainly his own, and at least four hundred hymns.

His hymns are judged to be of equal quality to Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley. is best hymns were written in his earlier years. His finest lyrics are “Angels from the realms of glory,” “Go to dark Gethsemane,” “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed,” and “Songs of praise the angels sang.”

He died in 1854 Yorkshire, England.

The tune is referred to as Redhead after it’s composer Richard Redhead.