Videos And Stories Behind Hymns

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

Jesus The Very Thought Of Thee Hymn Story This hymn was originally written by one of the most influential Christians of Europe in his day, Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153).  He had the ear of kings and influential people of his day. His sermons and writings were well regarded for centuries. He helped in the establishment of monasteries. This hymn was first translated into English by Edward Caswall (1818-1878). The music is added by John Bacchus Dykes (1823-1876). Edward Caswall Jesus the Very Thought of Thee Hymn Lyrics Jesus, the very thought of Thee With sweetness fills my breast; But sweeter far Thy face to see, And in Thy presence rest. Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame, Nor can the memory find A sweeter sound than Thy blest Name, O Savior of mankind! O Hope of every contrite heart, O Joy of all the meek, To those who fall, how kind Thou art! How good to those who seek! But what to those who find? Ah, this Nor tong

I Heard The Voice of Jesus Say Hymn Story Horatius Bonar was born in 1808 in Edinburgh, Scotland. He was the son of an elder in the Church of Scotland. Bonar himself later entered the ministry and became the pastor of the North Parish in the town of Kelso. Soon after Bonar became a minister there was a schism in the Established Church of Scotland. Over four hundred ministers including Bonar broke away and formed the Free Church of Scotland. In those days music in the church was made up of singing the Psalms and it was falling out of fashion especially with the youth. To make the music more palatable for the youth, Bonar started composing songs for the youth. Eventually, he also composed songs for the elders. In composing the songs Bonar used simpler lyrics and used popular tunes of his day. It was while he was still at Kelso that he composed, " I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say". This is perhaps his most popular hymn that continues to be sung in most of

O For A Closer Walk With God Hymn History William Cowper is the author of this hymn, "O for a Closer Walk With God" which he composed in 1769. The inspiration for this hymn was Genesis 5:24, "And Enock walked with God: and he was not; for God took him." Another was Amos 3:3, "Godliness is walking with God: which shows reconciliation to God, for can two walk together except they be agreed?" This hymn was written during the serious illness of his beloved aunt, Mrs. Unwin. In a letter written following day after composing this song William Cowper says the following: "She is the chief of blessings I have met within my journey since the Lord was pleased to call me... Her illness has been a sharp trial for me. Oh, that it may have been a sanctified effect, that I may rejoice to surrender up to the Lord my dearest comforts, the moment He may require them... I began to compose the verses yesterday morning before daybreak but fell asleep at th

All Things Bright And Beautiful Hymn Story All Things Bright and Beautiful is hymn meant for children. It was first published in "Hymns for Little Children". The words of this hymn are from the pen of Cecil Frances Alexander . This was her attempt to simplify the Apostle Creed for children. It tries to explain, "I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth" and other parts. Cecil Francis Alexander was born in 1823. She composed hundreds of Christian hymns in her lifetime. Proceeds from her publications were used to support the Irish school of mutes. She helped many people in need in her lifetime and when she died in 1895 she was greatly missed especially the poor and needy. Cecil Frances Alexander All Things Bright And Beautiful Hymn Lyrics Refrain: All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful: The Lord God made them all. Each little flow’r that opens, Ea

Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending Story The text for this hymn is from John Cennick (1718 - 1755) and Charles Wesley (1707 - 1788). The tune used for this hymn is from the song Helmsley. It was first composed by John Cennick in his hymn titled, "Lo! He Cometh, countless Trumpet" which was first published in 1752. This song was later substantially revised by Charles Wesly in 1758. It is based on the Second coming of Jesus Christ as presented in Revelation 1:7, "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen." John Cennick Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending Lyrics 1. Lo, he comes with clouds descending, once for favored sinners slain; thousand thousand saints attending swell the triumph of his train: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia! God appears on earth to reign. 2. Every eye shall now behold him robed in drea

Tell Me the Old, Old Story Hymn Story I first heard this song, "Tell me the old, old story" through a friend's cassette tape some twenty years ago and I fell in love with it immediately. It became one of my favorite hymns ever. It is a simple yet very beautiful song about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We all need to hear this old old story that has brought a smile on dying patients and brought peace to millions. The words of this hymn, "Tell me the old, old story were written by Katherine Hankey.  Katherine Hankey was born in 1834 at Clapham, Surrey, England. She was the daughter of a banker. During her lifetime she was a member of the Clapham Sect. This group fought slavery and funded Christian missionaries.  She wrote the words of this hymn while recovering from a serious illness in London.  As luck would have it, the famous musician George Washington Doane heard the poem being recited by Major General Russell in 1867. It was him w