Christmas Hymn Story: In Dulci Jubilo

“In dulci jubilo” means in sweet rejoicing in Latin. The original text is believed to have been written around 1328 by Heinrich Seuse, a German mystic. According to folklore, “Seuse heard angels sing these words and joined them in a dance of worship.” The tune first appears in a manuscript dating around 1400. Many historians believe the melody may have […]

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Christmas Hymn Story: In the Bleak Mid-Winter

English poet Christina Rosetti published a poem under the title “A Christmas Carol” in January 1872 issue of Scribner’s Monthly. Composer Gustav Holst composed a setting to her words in 1906. The new hymn appeared in The English Hymnal under the title “In the Bleak Midwinter”. In 1909, Harold Darke composed an anthem for the piece, which is widely performed […]

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Hymn Story: Now We Thank We All Our God

At the beginning of the Thirty Years’ War, the walled city of Eilenburg, Saxony struggled with overcrowding, deadly pestilence, and famine.  This area is part of Germany today. Lutheran minister Martin Rinkart, and his family, opened their home to refuges. By 1637, Rinkart was the only surviving pastor, conducting as many as fifty funeral a day throughout a severe plague. […]

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Hymn Story: Christ is made the sure foundation

Christ is Made the Sure Foundation was a Latin hymn written sometime in the late 6th or 7th Century under the title Urbs beata Jerusalem. The original hymn was sung as an unaccompanied plainsong melody. In 1851, John Mason Neale translated the hymn from Latin into English.  Many modern versions of the texts vary greatly from his original translations. The […]

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Hymn Story: I Vow to Thee My Country

“I Vow to Thee, My Country” is a British patriotic hymn.  Sir Cecil Spring Rice wrote the poem “The City of God” or “The Two Fatherlands” in either 1908 or 1912. The poem described how a Christian owes his loyalties to both his homeland and the heavenly kingdom. In 1908, he was posted at the British Embassy in Stockholm. In […]

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Hymn Story: The Lords My Shepherd

The Lord’s My Shepherd is a hymn based on Psalm 23. It first appeared in the Scots Metrical Psalter in 1650 and is usually attributed to the English Puritan Francis Rous. The tune Crimond is generally credited to Jessie Seymour Irvine, daughter of a parish minister of the Church of Scotland during Queen Victoria’s reign. The hymn was a favorite […]

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Hymn Story: The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, is Ended

This hymn was recently sung at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Rev. John Ellerton wrote the hymn in 1870 to be included in A Liturgy for Missionary Meetings.  Two different translations of the text are included in German official hymnals. The theme focusses on the worldwide fellowship of the church. It goes on to offer a continual prayer and […]

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Hymn Story: He Will Hold Me Fast

He will Hold Me Fast was written by Ada Ruth Habershon best known for the song “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?”. She was born in 1861 in Marylebone, England. She first began writing hymns in 1899 in German. In 1901, she wrote in English. In 1905, Ruben A. Torrey and Charles Alexander asked Habershon to write hymns for their evangelistic […]

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Hymn Story: Come to Me, Come to Me    

Come to Me, Come to Me was written by Elisha Hoffman. Hoffman was of German descent and learned about music from his parents. During his family’s daily worship time, music was an important part of the service. During this time he developed a love for sacred music and a belief that music was “as natural a function of the soul […]

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Hymn Story: Come As Ye Are Ye Who Are Troubled     

Come As Ye Are Ye Who Are Troubled was written by Haldor Lillenas. Lillenas was born in Stord Island, Norway in November 1885. He immigrated to the United States where he studied music. He pastored churches in Califronia and Indiana. He married Ber­tha Mae Wil­son, a song­writ­er like him­self, and they became elders in the Church of the Nazarene. He […]

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Hymn Story: Shall I Come Just As I Am

Shall I Come Just As I Am is a hymn written by Elisha A. Hoffman. Hoffman was born in 1839 and ordained into the ministry in 1868. He served numerous churches and wrote over 2,000 hymns. Some of his best known hymns are “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”, “Are You Washed in the Blood?” and “I Must Tell Jesus”. He […]

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