The genius of a gospel song is usually found in the refrain and this one is no exception. The refrain extends the invitation to “come home” four times in the melody, and an additional two times in the accompanying lower voices.
Read More...History of Hymns: ‘Softly and Tenderly’ famed as invitation song
May 1, 2013 Posted by Leave a Comment
History of Hymns: ‘Alleluia! Give Thanks’ celebrates resurrection
April 3, 2013 Posted by Leave a Comment
Among the songs of this genre that has stood the test of time is “Alleluia, Alleluia! Give Thanks” by Donald Emry Fishel (b. 1950). Following good folk song practice, the refrain of his tune ALLELUIA NO. 1 is easily learned and memorized after one hearing. The accompaniment and even the key in which the song is written (E Major) are perfect for the folk guitar, though most hymnals also make use of a piano version as well.
Read More...History of Hymns: Discipleship hymn comes from Filipino folk song
February 6, 2013 Posted by Leave a Comment
Developing Christian hymns in non-Western cultures requires a variety of techniques. One of those techniques is to take an existing melody, often a folk song, and pair it with a Christian text. Such is the case with “Dear Lord, lead me day by day.”
Read More...History of Hymns: Gospel song urges Christ to ‘Stand By Me’ during trials
January 30, 2013 Posted by Leave a Comment
One of the most famous of his many gospel songs is “Stand By Me,” for which he composed both the words and the music. It was included in a collection of hymns that he published in 1905, New Songs of Paradise, No. 6.
Read More...History of Hymns: Hymn celebrates both physical, mental healing
January 23, 2013 Posted by Leave a Comment
“O Christ, the Healer” Fred Pratt Green UM Hymnal, No. 265 O Christ, the healer, we have come to pray for health, to plead for friends. How can we fail [...]
Read More...History of Hymns: American hymn first finds popularity in England
January 15, 2013 Posted by Leave a Comment
“To God Be the Glory” Fanny J. Crosby UM Hymnal, No. 98 To God be the glory, great things he hath done! So loved he the world that he gave us his Son, who yielded his life an atonement for sin, and opened the life-gate that all may go in. Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear his voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice! O come to the Father through Jesus the Son, and give him the glory, great things he hath [...]
Read More...History of Hymns: French carol highlights animals in nativity story
January 9, 2013 Posted by Leave a Comment
“The Friendly Beasts” French Carol UM Hymnal, No. 227 Jesus, our brother, strong and good, was humbly born in a stable rude, and the friendly beasts around him stood, Jesus, our brother, strong and good. “The Friendly Beasts” probably originated in 12th-century France. Sometimes known as “The Song of the Ass,” “The Donkey Carol” or “The Gift of the Animals,” this song is distinctive in that each of the animals sings to the newborn Christ child in the first person, offering a gift to comfort him. Stanza one sets the [...]
Read More...History of Hymns: ‘There’s a Song in the Air’ dates from late romantic era
December 31, 2012 Posted by Leave a Comment
“There’s a Song in the Air” Josiah G. Holland UM Hymnal, No. 249 There’s a song in the air! There’s a star in the sky! There’s a mother’s deep prayer and a baby’s low cry! And the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing, for the manger of Bethlehem cradles a King! There is something captivating about this simple Christmas hymn with its almost childlike wonder. The first stanza is a series of declarative statements that invite the singer to marvel at Christ’s birth as if we were physically [...]
Read More...History of Hymns: ‘O Come, All Ye Faithful’ brings us all to the manger
December 25, 2012 Posted by Leave a Comment
This favorite Christmas hymn appears to be the result of a collaboration of several people. What we sing is a 19th-century version of a hymn written in the 18th century.
Read More...History of Hymns: ‘like a child’ conveys baby Jesus’ vulnerability
December 18, 2012 Posted by Leave a Comment
Traditionally many Christmas hymns have explored the birth of Jesus as the coming of a monarch.
For example, Charles Wesley wrote, “Hark! the herald angels sing, / ‘Glory to the new-born King!’” The refrain of another traditional English carol echoes this: “Noel, born is the King of Israel.” Isaac Watts wrote, “Let earth receive her King.”
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