Hymn Story: Simple Gifts
Simple Gifts is attributed to Joseph Brackett, a member of the Alfred Shaker Village. It was composed in 1848, and relatively unknown until Aaron Copeland used the melody in the score of Martha Graham’s ballet…
Hymn Story: No Tramp of Soldiers’ Marching Feet
No Tramp of Soldiers’ Marching Feet was written by Timothy Dudley-Smith. The hymn was copyrighted in 1984 by Hope Publishing Company. It is set to the tune Kingsfold which is an English folk tune dating…
Hymn Story: We Praise You and Acknowledge You, O God
We Praise You and Acknowledge You, O God was written by Stephen P. Starke. He was born in 1955 and described as “a prolific hymn writer”. In the notes below the song it says “This…
Behind the Hymn: Christ, Be My Leader
Christ, Be My Leader was written by Timothy Dudley-Smith. He was born in 1926 and served in the Church of England. He also edited the Billy Graham Crusade magazine. In the 1960s, he began writing…
Behind the Hymn: Built on the Rock
Built on the Rock was written by Nicolai Frederik Severin Grundtvig. He was born at Udby, in Seeland, in 1783. Upon leaving university, he took to teaching. During this time, he devoted his attention to…
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: My Song is Love Unknown
My Song is Love Unknown is a hymn by Samuel Crossman. Crossman was a Puritan minister who opposed the Act of Uniformity 1662 and was exiled from the Church of England. He wrote the poem…
Behind the Hymn: The Day Thou Gavest
The Day Thou Gavest was written by John Ellerton. The hymn was first published in 1870. Ellerton was born in London, England in 1826. He was ordained to the Church of England in 1851 and…
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…
Hymn Story: All People That on Earth Do Dwell
All People That on Earth Do Dwell was written by William Kethe. Kethe was born in Scotland and fled to the continent during Queen Mary’s persecution in the late 1550s. While living in Geneva he…
Hymn Story: Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!
“Lying bedridden with a near fatal illness in 1866, William C. Dix found the hope to pen the words to the joyful hymn of victory, “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!” Inspired by the words of Revelation…
Hymn Story: The Day of Resurrection
The Day of Resurrection was written by St. John of Damascus, an eighth-century Greek poet. He is known for his writing of six canons for the major festivals of the church year. He lived a…
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…
Hymn Story: An Evening Hymn
Thomas Ken was born in 1637 Hertfordshire, England. He studied a Winchester College and became ordained in the Church of England in 1662. He is said to be “a man of conscience and independent mind…
Hymn Story: Come down, O Love divine
Come down, O Love divine was written by Bianco da Siena an Italian poet and wool worker who was born at Anciolina, in the Val d’Arno around 1350. In 1367 he entered the Order of…
Hymn Story: As We Gather at Your Table
As We Gather at Your Table is a communion song. The hymn was written by Carl P. Daw. Daw was born in 1944 to a Baptist Minister. He became an Episcopal Priest and served congregations…
Thanksgiving Hymn: Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven
Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven was written by Rev. Henry Francis Lyte. The text is based on Psalm 103 which begins with “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within…
Hymn Story: O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing
O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing was one of the more than six thousand hymns that was written by Charles Wesley. In May 1738, Charles Wesley was suffering from pleurisy, while studying with his…
Hymn Story: Day is Dying in the West
Day is Dying in the West was written by Mary Artemesia Lathbury. She was born on August 10, 1841 in Ontario County, New York. Day is dying in the West was written at the request…
Hymn Story: God Leads Us Along
God Leads Us Along is a beautiful hymn that is not as well known as many of other hymns.The hymn was written by George A. Young, an obscure preacher and carpenter. He often struggled to…