Videos And Stories Behind Hymns

There are so many uplifting songs that will put a smile on your face and "You May Have the Joy Bells" is one of them. J Edward Ruark is the author of the words of this hymn which was published in 1899. The music was provided by William J Kirkpatrick. Unfortunately little is known about the author, J Edward Ruark. He may have been one of the many people who sought the assistance of William J Kirkpatrick in adding music to their poems. It is, however, a powerful song that promises joy-bells if we live for Jesus every day.  There may be trials but He will keep the joy-bells ringing in our hearts. You May Have The Joy Bells Hymn Lyrics You may have the joy-bells ringing in your heart, And a peace that from you never will depart; Walk the straight and narrow way, Live for Jesus every day, He will keep the joy-bells ringing in your heart. Refrain: Joy-bells ringing in your heart, Joy-bells ringing in your heart; Take the Savior here below With you everywhere, yo

Win Them One By One Hymn Story The author of this beautiful hymn is the well known author of children's hymns, Lizzie DeArmond . She wrote this hymn in 1915. Lizzie was born on Ju­ly 23, 1847, in Phil­a­del­phia, Penn­syl­van­ia. She died on Oc­to­ber 26, 1936, at her home in Swarth­more, Penn­syl­van­ia. She started writing poems when she was only twelve years old. However, her most prolific period came after she became a widow with eight children to support. It was during this period that Lizzie started to write in earnest. She wrote articles, stories as well as hymns. As is the case with most hymns that came from the pen of Lizzie DeArmond this song was also originally meant for Sunday School children. Lizzie DeArmond Win Them One By One Hymn Lyrics 1 We must win them one by one as the master did of old, When He said to His disciples "Follow Me;" From the highways broad and wide, to the byways turn aside, In the footsteps of the Man of Galilee.

It is almost impossible to believe that "I Sing the Mighty Power of God" was originally written for children. But that is exactly what this hymn was intended for.  It was first published in 1715 in a hymnal called "Divine and Moral Songs for Children". It was the goal of the author, Isaac Watts to write songs to the level of a child's understanding. However, this song is now more associated with adults than with children. Its simple message continues to bless millions of Christians worldwide. To appreciate this hymn more one has to be reminded of the state of Christian music during that period. Most of the songs then were songs directly from the book of psalms. It was more of chanting the scriptures than actual singing. Church music had become dull that a 19 year old Isaac Watts complained to his father about this. It was his father who challenged him to write something better. From that moment on Isaac Watts began writing hymns. He was

God Leads Us Along Hymn History This song is a reminder that God's providence is still with us even in our difficult moments. There are moments when we feel like God has abandoned us we still need to know that God is still with us as we go through these difficult times. The author of this song, George A Young was a rural preacher and carpenter who humbly served the Lord on a meager salary. However, instead of complaining about his situation George Young and his family served the Lord as a loyal servant. This preacher through their meager salary and resources eventually managed to construct a house on their own. They were happy to have their own house just like all of us would. Unfortunately while Young was away holding meetings in another area some bad people decided to make life difficult for this humble servant of God. They burnt the house down to ashes. Instead of complaining and blaming God for not preventing this misfortune, George Young never lost his fai

The Old Rugged Cross Hymn History The Old Rugged Cross is one of the most popular Christian hymns in the English world. It is a hymn that leads us to focus on what Christ did on the cross and make his sacrifice our own.  Being a Christian is not easy but we all need to cling to that old cross and bear the shame and ridicule we might face. This hymn composed in 1912 by evangelist and song leader George Bennard . He was born in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1873.  He was converted at the age of 24 after attending a Salvation Army meeting. He later left the salvation and joined the Methodist church in 1910.  After joining the Methodist church he became an itinerant preacher for the Methodist church. He held revival meetings in the Midwest of the United States. It was during one of these revival meetings that he came up with this hymn. This was his response to the heckling and ridicule he received from several youths at a revival meeting in Michigan.  Bernard was troubl

Sabine Baring-Gould and Arthur Sullivan composed this hymn. The words were written by Sabine Baring-Gould in 1865 while the music to the song was added in 1871 by Arthur Sullivan.  Arthur Sullivan added the tune of the song at his friend Ernest Clay Ker Seymer’s house. This later made him name his tune “St. Gertrude” after his friend’s wife. This hymn is one of the commonly known gospel hymns, derived from the New Testament, where Christians are sometimes referred to as soldiers of Jesus Christ. This can be seen in verses such as II Timothy 2:3 (KJV): "Thou, therefore, endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." The hymn was originally meant for the procession with the cross by children who walked from Horbury Bridge to Horbury St Peter's Church near Wakefield, Yorkshire, at Whitsuntide in 1865.  This hymn was originally titled, "Hymn for Procession with Cross and Banners" and Baring-Gould composed it in five minutes. He was later repo

Amazing Grace Hymn Story Amazing Grace is a gospel hymn that was written by John Newton who was a former slave trader. This gospel hymn is commonly associated with the African-American community.  The gospel hymn talks about Newton’s life story from his early days when he was forced into joining the Royal navy until the time when he decided to settle in religion.  John Newton had joined the navy in 1743 after he was captured and forced to join while visiting his friends. In 1745, while in the navy en route to India he rebelled against the discipline of the Royal navy and deserted. He was captured and was flogged and put in leg irons. Following this incident and humiliation John Newton actually considered murdering the sea captain and committing suicide by throwing himself overboard at sea. He later convinced the sea captain to discharge him to a slave ship. He was transferred to Pegasus a slave-trading ship bound for West Africa. As in the navy, the freeth

Most of the old gospel hymns are still being sung today in the twenty-first century. There are many awesome old southern gospel hymns, which were composed in the 70s and before.  It is difficult to rate the songs from the best to the worst because all of them were a hit in their day. The southern gospel hymns someone of the most beautiful and powerful songs, which have ever been written. Most of them were derived from the Bible whereas some were written according to one’s personal experience.  Mostly, the experiences were ones, which tested the faith of individuals. They found comfort in singing to Christ Jesus and this is how hymn songs came about. Some of the examples of the commonly known hymn songs are as follows; 1. Because He lives Bill and Gloria Gaither This is one of the southern hymn songs that are well known. It was written by Bill and Gloria Gaither, who are some of the most influential southern gospel musicians in the world.  Gaither is receive

Come Unto Me, Ye Weary Hymn Story This hymn was written by William Chatterton Dix in 1867. William Chatterton Dix was born on June 14, 1837, in Bristol England. He was the son of John Dix, a surgeon, who wrote The Life of Chatterton the poet. He was educated at Bristol Grammar School. He wrote hymns and carols during his lifetime on earth. It is based on Matthew 11:28, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest". In talking of this hymn, Dix says, "I was ill and depressed at the time, and it was almost to idle away the hours that I wrote the hymn. I had been ill for many weeks and felt weary and faint, and the hymn really expresses the languidness of the body from which I was suffering at the time. Soon after its composition, I recovered, and I always look back to that hymn as the turning point in my illness." William Chatterton Dix Come Unto Me Ye Weary Hymn Lyrics 1 "Come unto me, ye

Behold the Glories of the Lamb Hymn Story This is Isaac Watts ' first-ever hymn. Isaac Watts was born in 1674. He wrote this around 1688. He was therefore only a teenager when he wrote this hymn. When Isaac Watts was born congregation singing involved chanting the psalms direct from the bible. Most people believed that any composition would not be inspired. Before this hymn was written Isaac Watts argued with his father that singing only Psalms made him miss important New Testament truth. He, therefore, began composing his own hymns. He is said to have composed hymns on a weekly basis for his congregation. Considering that he was only a teenager, it is amazing to note that he appeared to have in-depth knowledge of the scripture. He appears to have studied the bible quite a lot judging by the scriptures employed in this song. Isaac Watts Behold the Glories of the Lamb Hymn Lyrics Behold the glories of the Lamb Amidst His Father’s throne. Prep

Be Present At Our Table Lord Hymn Story. This hymn was written by John Cennick, 1741. The tune is attributed to Louis Bourgeois. It is based on Matthew 6:11, "Give us this day our daily bread." John Cennick was born at Reading, Berkshire, the United Kingdom in 1717. He was a friend of John Wesley and George Whitefield and assisted them in their work.  He split from John Wesley on doctrinal grounds and sided with George Whitefield. He later joined the Moravians and went to work in German and the North of Ireland.  He died in London on July 4, 1755 He wrote other hymns besides this post's hymn. The other hymns he wrote include, "Lo He Cometh, countless trumpets"; Children of the heavenly King; and "Ere I sleep, for every favor". John Cennick Be Present At Our Table Lord Hymn Lyrics Be present at our table, Lord; Be here and everywhere adored; Thy creatures bless, and grant that we May feast in paradise with The

My Faith Look Up To Thee Hymn Story This famous hymn is the product of Ray Palmer a pastor. It is one of the most loved hymns produced by an American Christian. Ray Palmer was born in Little Compton in 1808 and grew up in Boston Massachusetts. He attended Yale University. He spent most of his life on earth as a minister of the word of God. This hymn was written when Ray Palmer was only 22. Ray is quoted as saying "The words of the hymn were born of my own soul". This song was written when he was so overwhelmed by all that he owed to the Lord. It was this expression of this debt that led to the words of this hymn. It was an expression of his convictions about faith. He wrote this as a poem not intending that it will be turned into a song.  It is said that was so absorbed mentally in writing this song that he cried when he finished the final line. He copied the words into a book and used them frequently for meditation. The music of this hymn was add