Song Story: God Save the King (Queen)

Yesterday, a new British monarch was crowned in Westminster Abbey. A historic event for anymore under the age of seventy, who had never known another ruler before the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. So, in memory of the late queen and honor of the new king, let’s take a look at the British National Anthem “God Save […]

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Hymn Story: Glory to His Name

Glory to His Name is often known by its first line “Down at the Cross Where My Savior died.” The hymn was written by Elisha A. Hoffman and first published in 1878.  It is believed Hoffman had been reading about Jesus’ crucifixion and was inspired to write the poem. Hoffman (1839-1929) wrote over 2,000 songs including “Leaning on the Everlasting […]

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Book Review: What Happens Next by Christina Susanna Nelson

Podcaster Faith Byrne tells stories of greatness after tragedy—but her real life is very different. Then she’s sked to spotlight her childhood best friend’s missing person case on her podcast. Dora Crane never accepted her younger daughter could be dead and continues to look into her disappearance. She agrees to counseling and packing up her missing daughter’s belongings as long […]

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Hymn Story: O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

“O Sacred Head, Now Wounded” is considered a Christian Passion hymn.  It is based on a long Latin poem “Salve mundi salutare” from the Middle Ages. Each of the seven stanzas addresses various part’s of Christ’s body on the cross.  The part this hymn is taken from involved Christ’s head. It is believed Arnulf of Leuven wrote the poem, although […]

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Easter Hymn: He Arose

He Arose is often known by its first line “Low in the grave He lay” or the last line “Hallelujah! Christ arose!” The verse is known for its dirge or slowness while the chorus is upbeat and full of celebration. This popular Easter hymn was written in 1874 by Robert Lowry, a 19th Century preacher and hymn writer. The belief […]

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Hymn Story: In the Cross of Christ I Glory

“In the Cross of Christ I Glory” was written by Sir John Bowring. He was born in 1792 in Exeter, England and a gifted linguist mastering thirteen languages. In 1854, he was knighted by Queen Victoria. He helped Great Britain develop relationships with a number of countries and served in Parliament for two terms. Even in retirement he remained highly […]

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Hymn Story: Jesus, Lover of My Soul

“Jesus, Lover of My Soul” was written by the prolific hymn writer Charles Wesley. He wrote the hymn within months of his 1738 conversion and titled the piece “In Temptation”.  It was first published as a poem in 1740. Not until nine years after Wesley’s death was a tune added to the poem. Yet, it has become one of his […]

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Hymn Story: Jesus Saves

“Jesus Saves” is often known with its opening line “we have heard the joyful sound”. The hymn was written by Priscilla J. Owens. She was born on July 21, 1829 and lived in Baltimore, where she worked in the public-school sector. Most of her hymns were written for children’s services with many of her works appearing in the Methodist Protestant […]

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Hymn Story: There is a Balm in Gilead

“There Is A Balm in Gilead” is a traditional spiritual. While the date of composition is unknown, the song dates back to at least the 19th Century. A version of the refrain can be found in Washington Glass’s 1854 hymn “The Sinner’s Cure”. A “balm in Gilead” is a reference from the Old Testament taken from Jeremiah 8:22.

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Hymn Story: All My Hope On God is Founded

“All My Hope on God is Founded” began as the German hymn. The original words “Meine Hoffnung stehet feste”. Joachim Neander wrote the hymn around 1680. Neander was born in 1650 in Bremen (modern day Germany). He served as a German theologian and hymnwriter. He wrote over sixty hymns and is best known for the hymn Praise to the Lord, […]

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Hymn Story: In Heavenly Love Abiding

“In heavenly love abiding” is based on the fifteenth chapter of John’s gospel. Anna Laetitia Waring wrote the hymn, which explores heavenly love. Anna Waring was born in Wales in 1823, to a Quaker family. She would later join the Church of England.  Many of her poems and hymns were published and very popular. Her love of writing seems to […]

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Hymn Story: Jerusalem

William Blake was an English poet, painter, and printmaker.  In his epic collection Milton: A Poem in Two Books is a poem titled “And did those feet in ancienty time”. Various lines of the poem are drawn from either historical events or passages of scripture. Sir Hubert Parry composed the music to the poem in 1916.  Today this is the […]

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Hymn Story: Who Shall Separate us?

“Who Shall Separate Us?” is an eight-part a cappella choir composition. It was written by James MacMillian and commissioned for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II sometime around 2011-2012 when the song was written. The commission is said to come as a surprise, but MacMillian is known as a “masterly composer of small-scale religious choral pieces”. MacMillian said he […]

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