Behind the Hymn: Oh that I had a Thousand Voices
Oh that I had a Thousand Voices was written by Johann Mentzer. The song was first written in German and translated into English by Henry Mills. Mentzer was born born July 27, 1658, at Jahmen,…
Behind the Hymn: Keeps Me Singin as I go {Sweetest Name I Know}
He Keep Me Singing is sometimes also referred to as Sweetest Name I know. The song was written by Luther B. Bridgers. Bridgers was born on February 14, 1884 in Margarettsville, North Carolina. He grew…
Christmas Song Story: Christmas Canon
Christmas Canon is set to Johann Pachelbel’s Canon in D Major. Paul O’Neill provided lyrics to Pachelbel’s music. The song is performed by Trans-Siberian Orchestra and a departure from their normal rock arrangements. The group…
Hymn Story: This is the Day
This is the Day is an upbeat song that reminds us that this is the day the Lord has made, we should be happy and rejoice. The hymn is based on Psalm 118:24, “This is…
Behind the Hymn: A Great and Mighty Wonder
A great and mighty wonder is a little-known Christmas Carol. The hymn is German in origin. The hymn was written by St. Germanus I. He was born in Constantinople of a patrician family in 634…
Behind the Christmas Song: As with Gladness Men of Old
As with Gladness Men of Old is considered an Epiphany hymn more than a Christmas hymn. William Chatterton Dix wrote the hymn on January 6, 1859 while recovering from an extended illness. He was bed…
Behind the Christmas Carol: There’s A Star in the East
There’s A Star in the East is a Christmas Carol. Reginald Heber is credited with writing the song. He was in 1783 England and named after his father. He professed his admiration of the hymns…
Behind the Christmas Song: Bethlehem Morning
Bethlehem Morning was written by Morris Chapman. The song was made popular by Sandi Patty. Chapman was born in Mississippi in 1940. He served as pastor to several churches in Texas before becoming CEO of…
Behind the Christmas Song: Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child
The song is a traditional spiritual of African American origin. The origin of the song is unknown. One source claims sister Margaret Allison of the Angelic Gospel Singers, a 1950s performing group, wrote the song.…
Behind the Christmas Song: The Gift Goes On
The Gift Goes On was written by Claire Cloninger and Ron Harris. Brenton-Benson Music and Lillenas Publishing published the song in 1974. The song was made popular by Sandi Patty. We are reminded through the…
Behind the Christmas Carol: Lo, How a Rose E’re Blooming
Lo, How a Rose E’re Blooming is a Christmas carol of German origin. The carol was originally known as “Es ist ein Ros entsprungen” which means a rose has sprung up. The rose in the…
Behind the Christmas Carol: While by My Sheep I Watched at Night
While by My Sheep was a traditional German carol by Nach Friedrich von Spee. The hymn was written in 1623 and known as Als ich bei meinen Schafen wacht. Hugo Jüngst arranged the text to…
Behind the Christmas Song: A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol was written and composed by Charles Ives in 1897. The song appeared in his collection 114 songs which was published in 1922. He self-published these never before seen songs. By the early…
Song Story: This Ole House
I’m familiar with the song This Ole House, but knew nothing of it’s origin. Only when researching the story behind another song, did I discover the story behind this song. The song was written by…
Song Story: It Is No Secret What God Can Do
It Is No Secret, was written by Craig Stuart Hamblen, who also wrote Until Then. Hamblen was the son of a Methodist minister and is considered one of radio’s first “singing cowboys”. He lived a…
Song Story: Through It All
The song Through It All was written by Andráe Crouch and is his biography and testimony wrapped up into one. Andráe Crouch was born on July 1, 1942 in Los Angeles, California. He experienced devesating…
Hymn Story: Sweet, Sweet Spirit
There’s a sweet, sweet Spirit was written by gospel songwriter Doris Mae Akers. She was born in Brookfield, Missouri on May 21, 1923. She was one of ten children and developed an interest in music…
Song Story: I Will Rise
Pastor Louis Giglio and singer Chris Tomlin discussed writing a song which would help people who were walking through the valley of grief and loss. In a 2011 interview Chris Tomlin shared, “”We were sitting…
Behind the Song: You Are My King {Amazing Love}
You Are My King {Amazing Love} is a contemporary song that has become very popular. The song talks about God’s amazing love for us, how we are forgiven, and how Jesus is our King and…
Behind the Song: Holy Ground
Holy Ground is a song that once again shows the power of God. Geron Davis was nineteen years old when his minister father ask him to write a song for the new building their church…