Category: The Midweek Hymn

IAM beginning to suspect that the more popular a hymn is, the more it is disliked by the self-appointed ‘hymn police’. A case in point is The Old Rugged Cross, one … Continue readingThe Old Rugged Cross

THE editors of hymn books often seem to think they can do a better job of the words than the original writers. Most of the time they make a complete … Continue readingLead Us, Heavenly Father, Lead Us

THE day thou gavest, Lord, is endedThe darkness falls at thy behest;To thee our morning hymns ascendedThy praise shall sanctify our rest. We thank thee that thy Church unsleeping,While earth … Continue readingThe Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended

THE words of this popular hymn were written by an Anglican clergyman, Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847). He is best known for Abide With Me, which I will cover in a later … Continue readingPraise, My Soul, the King of Heaven

AT the request of regular reader ‘Starshiptrooper’, this week’s hymn is All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name, often referred to as the National Anthem of Christendom. It was written by … Continue readingAll Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name

THIS week’s choice links Britain and the United States because for both countries it is known as the Navy Hymn. The words vary slightly but the melody is the same, … Continue readingEternal Father Strong to Save

BACK to the indefatigable Charles Wesley for today’s choice, Soldiers of Christ Arise. It’s a rousing battle hymn which may be appropriate for this day and age when Christians all over … Continue readingSoldiers of Christ Arise

I WANTED to write about the songs we used to sing at Sunday School but all the versions I could find on YouTube sounded like pop songs with modern accompaniments … Continue readingSunday School Favourites (1)

IT CAN be dispiriting to be a small c conservative (though not half as much as being a big C Conservative – thank goodness I am not one of those), … Continue readingIn praise of hymns

CHARLES Wesley has already appeared a couple of times in these columns as the writer of Hark the Herald Angels Sing and O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing. It is hardly surprising … Continue readingAnd Can It Be