Hymns for Children
403. A gladsome hymn of praise we sing _Ambrose N. Blatchford_,
1842-1924
Written by the pastor of the Lewin’s Mead Unitarian Church, Bristol,
England, for use in a Sunday school anniversary, 1876, in his church.
The hymn is suitable for adults as well as for children.
Ambrose N. Blatchford, born in Devonshire, England, was educated at
Tavistock Grammar School and Manchester New College, London. After
serving as assistant minister at Lewin’s Mead Unitarian Church for ten
years, he took full charge in 1876 and continued until his retirement in
1915, an unusual record of nearly 50 years of service in one church. He
was a man of sympathy with all classes of people, possessed unusual
vitality, and was a trusted friend and pastor. Blatchford was interested
in the life and progress of the community and became one of the most
influential and most-loved men in the city.
_MUSIC._ CANAAN. The tune was taken from the _Hymnary_ of the United
Church of Canada. The composer is unknown. It is a good, fluent melody
constructed on a straightforward melodic line which is repeated three
times.
404. Children of Jerusalem _John Henley_, 1800-42
A children’s hymn of praise, based on Matthew 21:15-16:
And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that
he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to
the son of David; they were sore displeased, and said unto him,
Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye
not read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected
praise?
The hymn was written by Rev. John Henley, an English Methodist minister,
known widely for his deep spirituality and entire consecration to
Christ. Henley gave much of his time and energy in behalf of the
suffering and poor in his parishes.
_MUSIC._ INFANT PRAISE, also known as “Children of Jerusalem,” first
appeared in John Curwen’s _Tune Book to the Hymns and Chants for Sunday
Schools_, published in 1842. The hymn and tune appeared a year later in
_The Juvenile Harmonist: A Selection of Tunes and Pieces for Children_,
by Thomas Clark of Canterbury.
John Curwen, 1816-80, was a minister in the Independent Church in
England, and an ardent advocate of congregational singing. He developed
and promoted the Tonic Sol-Fa method of teaching to sing, using it in
his own church and schools, and lecturing upon it in various parts of
the country. Resigning his ministry on account of ill health, in 1867,
he established a printing and publishing business and assisted in the
founding of a Tonic Sol-Fa Association for the promotion of that method
of singing. Curwen compiled and edited popular collections of songs for
use in Sunday schools.
405. Around the throne of God in heaven _Anne Shepherd_, 1809-57
The author of this hymn was born on the Isle of Wight, the daughter of
Rev. Edward H. Houlditch, a minister in the Church of England. In 1843
she married S. Saville Shepherd. The hymn, originally in five stanzas,
is one of 64 hymns written by Mrs. Shepherd and published in 1836 under
the title, _Hymns Adapted to the Comprehension of Young Minds_.
_MUSIC._ GLORY was published in England in Curwen’s _Tune Book to the
Hymns and Chants for Sunday Schools_, 1842, with these words. The
combination of hymn and tune has continued to the present.
NATURE
406. A little seed lay fast asleep _Clara Writer_, 1859-1915
A song of growth under God’s daily care.
The lyric is a poetic description of the development of a seed from its
first awakening to life under the touch of God’s sunshine, to the tall,
fair plant with its golden ear of corn.
No biographical information is at hand concerning the author, Clara
Writer.
_MUSIC._ KING’S LANGLEY. For comments on this tune see Hymn 385.
407. See the shining dewdrops _Anonymous_
No information is at hand concerning the origin of this children’s poem
on the theme, “God is good.”
_MUSIC._ The melody appeared anonymously in _Kleiner Liederschatz_, a
small but useful book of songs for use in German schools and homes. The
book was compiled and edited by several Kansas teachers and school
friends who preferred to withhold their names. It was first published in
1901, Newton, Kansas.
The arrangement was made especially for the _Hymnary_, by E. Shippen
Barnes, in 1939.
For comments on Barnes see Hymn 48.
408. God sees the little sparrow fall _Maria Straub_, 1838-98
A hymn of God’s love, based on Jesus’ teaching that God notes the fall
of the sparrow and arrays the flowers in beauty and loveliness.
No information has been traced concerning the author, Maria Straub, or
her contemporary, S. W. Straub, 1842-99, who composed the music.
409. Birds are singing, woods are ringing _L. F. Cole_
A joyous song of praise. No information has been found concerning L. F.
Cole, author of the words.
_MUSIC._ The tune, BIRDS ARE SINGING, is anonymous.
410. All things bright and beautiful _Cecil Frances Alexander_,
1823-1895
A nature song. It was written, as were Hymns 104, “There is a green hill
far away,” and 412, “Once in royal David’s city,” to illustrate the
Apostle’s Creed, the present being a comment on the phrase, “Maker of
heaven and earth.” It is based on Gen. 1:31: “And God saw everything
that He had made, and, behold, it was very good.”
One of her stanzas,
The rich man in his castle
The poor man at his gate;
God made them high and lowly
And ordered their estate
is omitted in most hymn books because it is obviously not in keeping
with Christian teachings concerning wealth and poverty. (_Cf._ the
Parable of Dives and Lazarus). The author grew up in the wealthy
atmosphere of an Irish estate where her father was a land agent.
For further comments on Mrs. Alexander see Hymn 104.
_MUSIC._ GREYSTONE. The first stanza, which serves as a “refrain,” is to
be sung after each verse. The hymn is an interesting study in metre. In
the refrain, the first line is trochaic (— -), but the second changes to
the more common iambic (- —). The tune is written to take care of this.
It owes its unique effect to this refrain, which keeps coming in with
this change of metre accompanied by a change of key from C to G.
No information is at hand concerning the composer.
CHRISTMAS
411. The happy Christmas comes once more _Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig_,
1783-1872
A charmingly fresh Christmas hymn written by the greatest of Danish hymn
writers. An omitted stanza reads:
O let us go with quiet mind,
The gentle Babe with shepherds find,
To gaze on him who gladdens them,
The loveliest flower of Jesse’s stem.
Nikolai F. S. Grundtvig was born in Udby, Denmark, 1783, the son of a
Lutheran pastor. He lived in a day when rationalistic “new theology” had
dried up the stream of spirituality in the church. The church worship
had lost its evangelical glow, and the sermons had deteriorated into
lectures on science and domestic economy. Young Grundtvig, in the course
of his studies for the ministry, had come under the influence of this
rationalism and for a time lost all interest in religion. Various
influences opened his eyes to the spiritual poverty existing in the
church, and he became an indefatigable worker for the dawn of a new day
in the life of the people. His zeal sometimes led him into extravagances
which put him at odds with his fellow ministers, but his preaching and
writings, nevertheless, became a powerful influence in Denmark and
resulted in fresh stirring of the Spirit in the church. His poems and
hymns, entitled _Hymns and Spiritual Songs_, were published in five
volumes.
_MUSIC._ The melody is found in a book, _Children’s Voices_, published
by the Augsburg Press (Lutheran). No information is at hand regarding
the composer, C. Belle. The arrangement was made by E. Shippen Barnes
for the _Hymnary_.
For comments on Barnes see Hymn 48.
412. Once in royal David’s city _Cecil Frances Alexander_, 1823-95
One of a series of children’s songs written by Mrs. Alexander to
illustrate the Apostles’ Creed, this being a comment on the second
clause, “And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived
by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary.” Others in the series are
“There is a green hill far away” (No. 104) and “All things bright and
beautiful” (No. 410).
_MUSIC._ IRBY was written for this hymn to be sung by voices in unison,
with harmonized accompaniment. It has become one of the best-known hymn
tunes for children, and is always associated with these words.
Henry John Gauntlett, 1805-76, the composer, was an English musician who
gave up law in 1844 to devote himself to music. He became a noted
organist and prolific composer, his tunes running into thousands. He was
much in demand for editing the music of hymn books and made a notable
contribution to the promotion of hymnody of the church. Mendelssohn said
of him: “His literary attainments, his knowledge of the history of
music, his acquaintance with acoustical laws, his marvelous memory, his
philosophical turn of mind, as well as his practical experience,
rendered him one of the most remarkable professors of the age.”
413. Come hither, ye children _Christian Schmidt_, 1768-1854
A popular Christmas song which all children love to sing.
Christian Schmidt was born in Dinkelsbühl, the oldest son of the city
clerk. In 1791, he was ordained to the ministry and given the headship
of the school and made school inspector in Thannhausen at Mindel. His
was a singularly fruitful ministry in which he devoted most of his
talent to the benefit of the young people. He was in the habit of using
the hours from four until eight in the morning in writing for young
people, this being the only time of the day that he considered his own.
As a child of ten years, he was greatly impressed with the nativity
scenes which had been built in the corridors of the state church in
Dinkelsbühl and which he saw daily during the Advent season. The vivid
recollection of this childhood experience resulted in the composition of
this beloved Christmas song for children:
Ihr Kinderlein, kommet, o kommet doch all’!
Zur Krippe her kommet, in Bethlehems Stall,
Und seht, was in dieser hoch-heiligen Nacht
Der Vater im Himmel für Freude uns macht.
O seht in der Krippe, im nächtlichen Stall,
Seht hier bei des Lichtleins hellglänzendem Strahl,
In reinlichen Windeln das himmlische Kind,
Viel schöner und holder als Engel es sind.
O betet: du liebes, du göttliches Kind,
Was leidest du Alles für unsere Sünd’!
Ach, hier in der Krippe schon Armut und Not,
Am Kreuze dort endlich den bitteren Tod!
Was geben wir Kinder, was schenken wir dir,
Du bestes und liebstes der Kinder, dafür?
Nichts willst du von Schätzen und Reichtum der Welt;
Ein Herz nur voll Demut allein dir gefällt.
Our translation, appearing anonymously, employs the first stanza and two
others from the original not given here.
The poem first appeared in the second edition of _Christliche Gesänge
zur öffentlichen Gottesverehrung_, Augsburg, 1811.
_MUSIC._ IHR KINDERLEIN KOMMET should be sung with lively tempo. No
information is at hand concerning the composer of the tune.
414. Away in a manger _Anonymous_
A beautiful Christmas carol which has long been ascribed to Martin
Luther. However, many of our best hymnologists—among them Percy Dearmer,
James Moffatt, and Robert McCutchan—hold that it has never been traced
to any of Luther’s works, and that it does not resemble anything that
Luther ever wrote. The words must, therefore, be classed “anonymous”
until more information is forthcoming.
_MUSIC._ The music, too, is of unknown origin. The name of the composer,
Carl Mueller, to whom it is attributed, is German and the tune is in the
style of a German folk song. Other than this there seems to be no
information regarding the composer or the tune.
EASTER
415. Joy dawned again on Easter Day _Latin_
_Tr. John Mason Neale_, 1818-66
The Latin original of this hymn comprises stanzas 9, 10, and 11 of
_Aurora lucis rutilat_, one of the most ancient Easter hymns in
existence. It is found in the earliest monastic hymnaries of the sixth
to the ninth centuries with a wide diffusion in continental as well as
Anglo-Saxon and Celtic sources. Its authorship is unknown.
The Latin text may be found in _Analecta Hymnica Medii Aevi_, v. 51, p.
89; A. S. Walpole, _Early Latin Hymns_, Cambridge University Press,
1922, p. 356; or _Hymns Ancient and Modern, Historical Edition_, London:
Clowes, 1909, p. 199.
_Aurora lucis rutilat_
Stanza 9.
Claro paschali gaudio
Sol mundo nitet radio,
Cum Christum iam apostoli
Visu cernunt corporeo.
10.
Ostensa sibi vulnera
In Christi carne fulgida
Resurexisse Dominum
Voce fatentur publica.
11.
Rex Christe clementissime,
Tu corda nostra posside,
Ut tibi laudes debitas
Reddamus omni tempore.
Doxology
Quaesumus, auctor omnium,
In hoc paschali gaudio
Ab omni mortis impetu
Tuum defendas populum.
Gloria tibi, Domine,
Qui surrexisti a mortuis,
Cum Patre et sancto Spiritu
In sempiterna saecula.
The full hymn was used at first as a morning hymn throughout the Easter
season. Later it was broken up into parts for various services during
the day, as follows: _Aurora lucis rutilat_, stanzas 1-4; _Tristes erant
apostoli_, stanzas 5-8; _Claro paschali gaudio_, stanzas 9-11. A
traditional double doxology of two stanzas which varies in form but
which is always present, completes the third hymn. The subject matter
follows the Biblical narrative of the events of Easter morning.
The entire hymn was translated by John Mason Neale, _Collected Poems of
John Mason Neale_, London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1914, pp. 121-122, and
published in _The Hymnal Noted_, in 1852. The full translation which has
been greatly altered may also be found in _Hymns Ancient and Modern_,
pp. 198-199, in a traditional form.
Those who sing this hymn at Eastertide may be assured that it has been
in unbroken use for fourteen centuries, a universal expression of the
season’s unchanging faith and joy.
_MUSIC._ PUER NOBIS. For comments on this tune see Hymn 87.
LOYALTY AND CONSECRATION
416. Hushed was the evening hymn _James D. Burns_, 1823-64
Based on the incident of the call of Samuel in I Samuel 3. The verses
were published in _The Evening Hymn_, 1857, a small volume consisting of
an original hymn and an original prayer for every evening of the month,
by Burns when he was minister of the Hampstead Presbyterian Church,
London. The hymn lends itself well to dramatization.
James Drummond Burns received his training for the ministry at the
University of Edinburgh. When the Disruption took place in the Scottish
Church, he followed his teacher, Dr. Chalmers, into the Free Church in
1843. For reasons of health he went to France and some years later, his
health improved, he returned to London and built up a strong
congregation at Hampstead where a church had been newly organized. His
winsome character and broadmindedness, together with an especially
beautiful voice, made his work unusually effective. He published several
books and is the author of an article on “Hymns” in the eighth edition
of the _Encyclopaedia Brittanica_.
_MUSIC._ SAMUEL was composed for this hymn, the original arrangement,
made in 1874, being for treble voices in unison, with organ
accompaniment. The composer later made the present four-part arrangement
in which form it has come into many church hymnals.
For comments on Arthur Sullivan see Hymn 113.
417. In our work and our play _Whitefield Glanville Wills_, 1841-91
A beautiful prayer of consecration.
The author, Whitefield Glanville Wills, an Englishman, was born in
Bristol. He published a small collection, _Hymns for Occasional Use_ in
1881. The present hymn, entitled “Children of God,” was contributed by
him to _School Hymns_, England, 1891.
_MUSIC._ ROSSLYN is an English melody taken from the Supplement to the
_Primitive Methodist Hymnal_, 1912. The composer is not known.
418. The wise may bring their learning _Anonymous_
A hymn setting forth the important lesson that children, however poor,
may bring useful gifts to the King. It appeared anonymously in _The Book
of Praise for Children_, published in England, 1881.
_MUSIC._ ELLON is a perfectly adapted tune for these words, though it
was written originally for another hymn. The tune is popular with
children and is sung with interest also by adults.
The composer, George F. Root, 1820-95, an American musician, studied
music in Boston and then became a teacher and organist. In 1841, he
became associated with Lowell Mason in teaching music in the public
schools of Boston. Three years later he moved to New York, where he
taught in various institutions, including Union Theological Seminary and
the New York Institution for the Blind. In the latter place, the blind
hymn writer, Fanny Crosby, was one of his pupils. Root organized and
conducted many music institutes and joined his brother, E. T. Root, and
C. M. Cady in the publishing of music in Chicago under the firm name,
Root and Cady. He composed many tunes for religious and secular use, and
during the Civil War wrote numerous “war songs” which became popular. He
also wrote cantatas—_Under the Palms, David, the Shepherd Boy_, and
others—which have been used by singing organizations all over America.
419. Tell me the stories of Jesus _W. H. Parker_, 1845-1929
A hymn for children on the life of Christ. It first appeared in _The
Sunday School Hymnary_, published in England, 1885. It was written by
William Henry Parker, a member of the General Baptist Church in England,
a layman, interested especially in Sunday school work. He was a
machinist by trade, working nearly all his life in a large lace-making
plant in Nottingham. For many years he composed hymns for anniversary
festivals in the Sunday school. These were published in 1882 in a volume
entitled, _The Princess Alice and Other Poems_.
_MUSIC._ STORIES OF JESUS was written for these words and included in a
volume published by the National Sunday School Union, London.
The composer, Frederic Arthur Challinor, was born in Staffordshire,
England, 1866, the son of a miner. Poverty compelled him in childhood to
seek employment to supplement the family income. At the age of ten he
began working in a brick yard. Two years later he found employment in a
coal mine and then in a china manufacturing plant. All the while he was
interested in music and spent his spare time studying harmony. By hard
work and perseverance, he finally won his Mus. Bac. degree in 1903.
Challinor has composed several popular cantatas and published more than
four hundred compositions for voices.
420. Jesus bids us shine _Susan Warner_, 1819-85
A hymn for small children, which first appeared, anonymously, in _The
Little Corporal_, Chicago.
The author, Susan Warner, sister of Anna B. Warner (see Hymn 201), was
the daughter of a reputable attorney in New York State. Her father fell
into undeserved misfortune which left the daughters as the breadwinners
of the household. This burden they fulfilled by writing stories and
books. Susan’s first book, _The Wide, Wide World_, published in 1865
under the pseudonym of “Elizabeth Wetherall,” became one of the most
widely read of American novels, second in popularity only to _Uncle
Tom’s Cabin_. It was translated into French and German and became a
best-seller on both sides of the Atlantic. She also wrote a number of
definitely religious books for children. Like her sister, Anna, she was
buried at West Point, where the two had conducted a Bible class for many
years for the cadets of the U. S. Military Academy.
_MUSIC._ The tune is by Edwin O. Excell, 1851-1921, an American composer
of Gospel song tunes. In England, the hymn is sung to “Lumetto,” a tune
by Edward Arthur, composed in 1927.
421. Here we come with gladness _Julia H. Johnston_, 1852—
Intended to be sung as a collection march.
The author, Julia Harriette Johnston, born at Salineville, Ohio, was
educated at Gettysburg and Peoria, Illinois, High School. She was much
interested in missions and Sunday-school work and frequently contributed
articles to magazines, on those subjects. Among her publications were
_The School of the Master_, _Bright Threads_, and the _Life of Adoniram
Judson_.
_MUSIC._ AUS DEM HIMMEL FERNE is a traditional German melody of unknown
authorship. It appeared in the _Gesangbuch mit Noten_ and in _Kleiner
Liederschatz_, and is a well known children’s tune.
PRAYER
422. We thank Thee, O our Father _Catherine Mary McSorley_
A prayer of thanksgiving, especially for the flowers which, growing in
the most unlikely places, make the world so bright and fair and reveal
the power and love of God.
Julian attributes the hymn to Catherine Mary McSorley but gives no
information concerning her. The hymn appeared in the Appendix of the
Irish _Church Hymnal_, 1891, and was published in _Church Hymns_,
England, 1903.
_MUSIC._ ENDSLEIGH. For comments on this tune see Hymn 283.
423. Father, we thank Thee for the night _Rebecca J. Weston_, _c._
1890
A morning prayer. The words were written by Rebecca J. Weston, about
1890, but no information concerning her has been traced. This seems to
be her only hymn. It appeared in a music-book, _The Tonic Sol-fa
Course_, published by the Oliver Ditson Company. The editor of that book
was the Rev. D. Batchellor, who composed the tune. The hymn was included
in _Songs of Praise_, London, 1933.
424. Savior, teach me, day by day _Jane Eliza Leeson_, 1807-82
“Love’s sweet lesson” has never been presented more beautifully to the
young than in this lyric from Miss Leeson’s _Hymns and Scenes of
Childhood_, 1842, where it is entitled “Obedience.” The Scriptural basis
is I John 4:19: “We love him because he first loved us.”
For comments on the author, Jane Eliza Leeson, see Hymn 298.
_MUSIC._ POSEN is a short, vigorous tune which children, as well as
adults, love to sing. The bass is no less interesting than the melody.
The composer, George C. Strattner, 1650-1705, was an able German
musician whose most important work consisted in editing the fifth
edition of Joachim Neander’s _Collected Hymns_, with music, published
1691, in which POSEN first appeared.
425. Jesus, tender Shepherd, hear me _Mary L. Duncan_, 1814-40
A beautiful evening prayer, written by the author for her own children.
Mrs. Mary Duncan was the daughter of Rev. Robert Lundie, minister at
Kelso, England. In 1836, she married the Rev. William Wallace Duncan,
minister of the Scottish parish of Cleish. Between July and December of
1839, the year before her death, she wrote a number of hymns for her
small children. These were published in a _Memoir_ by her mother and
later issued separately—twenty-three in all—as _Rhymes for My Children_,
1842. Mrs. Duncan, whose life ended so prematurely, was a woman of fine
intellect and lovable character, the memory of whom has been described
as one of the “aids to the devout life” of Scotland in the last
generation. Her sister married Dr. Horatius Bonar (Hymn 129), minister
and hymn writer.
_MUSIC._ EVENING PRAYER. For comments on the composer, John Stainer, see
Hymn 111. The tune was composed for this hymn in the first edition of
_The Church Hymnary_, London.
426. Praise Him! Praise Him! _Anonymous_
A simple song, of unknown origin, which tiny tots love to sing. The
truth the song enforces—“God is love”—is one the child will carry into
adulthood and into eternity.
The tune is an arrangement by Hubert P. Main, 1839-1925, American
composer of popular Sunday school and evangelistic music, and editor of
many hymn books. For sixty years, Main was connected with the Bigelow
and Main publishing house in Chicago, now out of business. His private
library of song and hymn books, consisting of over 7,000 volumes, is one
of the largest of its kind to be found anywhere. Nearly one-half of it
is in the Chicago Public Library where it is known as the “Main
Collection.” Among his most popular tunes are: “We shall Meet Beyond the
River,” “The Bright Forever,” and “In the Fadeless Springtime.”
427. I think when I read that sweet story _Jemima Luke_, 1813-1906
A hymn that has gone all over the world and has been learned by a
countless number of children of many nations and races. Concerning its
origin, Mrs. Luke has written:
I went one day on some missionary business to the little town of
Wellington, five miles from Taunton, in a stage coach. It was a
beautiful spring morning, it was an hour’s ride, and there was no
other inside passenger. On the back of an old envelope I wrote in
pencil the first two of the verses now so well known, in order to
teach the tune to the village school supported by my stepmother, and
which it was my province to visit. The third verse was added
afterwards to make it a missionary hymn.
Jemima Luke was the daughter of Thomas Thompson, one of the founders of
the British and Foreign Sailors’ Society and a “friend of every good
cause.” She volunteered to do missionary work in India, but ill health
made that impossible. All her life, however, she maintained an active
interest in foreign missions. In 1843, she married the Rev. Samuel Luke,
a Congregational minister in Clifton, England.
_MUSIC._ SWEET STORY is an arrangement by Wm. B. Bradbury (see Hymn 103)
of a Greek tune known as “Salamis” or “Athens.” Mrs. Luke heard the
melody (in its original form) used as a marching song by a group of
children in a school near her home where she had gone to learn something
of the teaching methods used. She was intrigued by the tune and wrote
the words to fit it. The words and music are inseparably associated, the
original form of the melody being used in England, and Bradbury’s
adaptation (easier but less interesting) in America.
428. Jesus loves me! this I know _Anna B. Warner_, 1820-1915
A hymn beloved by all the children. It was composed about 1860.
For comments on the author, Anna Bartlett Warner, see Hymn 201.
_MUSIC._ JESUS LOVES ME. Bradbury’s tune was composed for this hymn in
_The Golden Choir_, 1861.
For comments on William B. Bradbury, see Hymn 103.
429. Loving Shepherd of Thy sheep _Jane Eliza Leeson_, 1807-82
From Miss Leeson’s _Hymns and Scenes of Childhood_, 1842. Based on John
10:27: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me.”
For comments on the author, Jane Eliza Leeson, see Hymn 298.
_MUSIC._ INNOCENTS. For comments on this tune, see Hymn 64.
430. I am Jesus’ little lamb _Henriette Luise von Hayn_, 1724-82
A song of the Good Shepherd’s care of His lambs, based on Isa. 40:11:
“He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with
his arm, and carry them in his bosom.”
Henriette Luise von Hayn, born in Idstein, Nassau, early in life gave
her heart to Christ and often rose at night to spend hours on her knees
in prayer. Influenced by the writings of Zinzendorf, she became
interested in joining the “Brotherhood,” against the wishes of her
parents. One morning, after reading Matthew 10:37, “He that loveth
father or mother more than me is not worthy of me,” she decided to leave
home and did so, mailing a letter in the neighboring village to her
parents explaining her intention to go to Herrnhag to join the Moravian
colony at that place. However, she was detained at Frankfurt and
returned to her home. Her parents now granted her wish to join the
Moravians and the rest of her life was spent as a useful and influential
member of the Brotherhood, first at Herrnhag and later at Herrnhut,
where she received spiritual instruction from Zinzendorf himself. On
August 8, 1776, she wrote “Weil ich Jesu Schäflein bin,” a poem of seven
stanzas, in honor of Sister Christine Petersen’s thirty-sixth birthday.
Our hymn is a selection of three stanzas from this poem.
The German version of the poem is as follows:
Weil ich Jesu Schäflein bin
Freu ich mich nur immerhin
Ueber meinen guten Hirten
Der mich wohl weiss zu bewirten,
Der mich liebet, der mich kennt
Und bei meinem Namen nennt.
Unter seinem sanften Stab
Geh’ ich aus und ein, und hab’
Unaussprechlich süsse Weide
Dass ich keinen Mangel leide;
Und so oft ich durstig bin,
Führt Er mich zum Brunnquell hin.
Sollt’ ich denn nicht fröhlich sein,
Ich beglücktes Schäfelein?
Denn nach diesen schönen Tagen
Werd’ ich endlich heimgetragen
In des Hirten Arm und Schoss:
Amen, ja mein Glück ist gross!
No information concerning the translator, William F. Stevenson, has been
traced.
_MUSIC._ WEIL ICH JESU SCHÄFLEIN BIN is a popular melody, from the
_Gesangbuch mit Noten_ where it appears anonymously. It also appears
with the same words and translation in the United Lutheran _Common
Service Book_, 1918, where the tune is credited to Dölker’s _Geistliche
Lieder_, 1876.
431. Sleep, baby, sleep _Ferdinand F. Buermeyer_
The author of this lullaby, Ferdinand F. Buermeyer, has not been traced.
The words were written in 1876.
_MUSIC._ SCHLAF’, KINDLEIN, SCHLAF’ is a German melody composed by
Louise Reichardt, 1788-1826, a German musician, born in Berlin. Her
father, Johann Friedrich Reichardt, was a composer of operas and other
music, and editor of a number of musical periodicals. Louise was a
singing teacher in Hamburg from 1814 until her death. She composed many
songs, a collection of which was published by G. Rheinhardt, Munich,
1922.
432. When He cometh, when He cometh _Wm. O. Cushing_, 1823-1903
Based on Malachi 3:17: “They shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in
that day when I make up my jewels.”
The author, William Orcutt Cushing, was a minister of the Christian
Church and served congregations of that denomination in various cities
in New York State. Towards the close of his life, however, he joined the
Methodist church. He is the author of more than 300 hymns of the gospel
song type.
_MUSIC._ JEWELS. For comments on the composer of this tune, George F.
Root, see Hymn 418.
433. From yon distant heaven _W. Hey_, 1789-1854
_Tr. J. R. Thierstein_, 1867-1941
Aus dem Himmel ferne,
Wo die Englein sind,
Schaut doch Gott so gerne
Her auf jedes Kind.
Höret seine Bitte
Treu bei Tag und Nacht,
Nimmt’s bei jedem Schritte
Väterlich in Acht.
Gibt mit Vaterhänden
Ihm sein Täglich Brot
Hilft an allen Enden
Ihm aus Angst und Not.
Sagt’s den Kindern allen
Dass ein Vater ist,
Dem sie wohlgefallen,
Der sie nie vergisst.
A popular song for children which appeared originally in the author’s
_Noch 50 Fabeln für Kinder, nebst einem ernsthaften Anhang_, 1857.
Wilhelm Hey was born in Laucha, near Gotha, where he later became
minister of the local parish. He received his education at Jena and
Göttingen Universities and became a well-known writer, minister, and
teacher. His stories for children and young people were widely read. As
a minister he was especially helpful to the poor and sick in the
parishes he served, and took much interest in the distribution of Bibles
where needed.
The translation was made by John R. Thierstein, Ph.D., Professor of
German and French, Bethel College, North Newton, Kansas. Dr. Thierstein
was born in Bowil, Bern, Switzerland. In addition to his work as college
professor, he served the church for a time as editor of _The Mennonite_,
and at the time of his death he was chairman of the Board of
Publications of the General Conference of Mennonites, a position he held
for some years. In the latter capacity it became his duty to see the
_Mennonite Hymnary_, 1940, through the press, a responsibility he
discharged with efficiency and enthusiasm.
_MUSIC._ AUS DEM HIMMEL FERNE. For comments on this tune see Hymn 421.
434. Lo! the heavens are breaking _Anonymous_
A spring song, setting forth the love and goodness of God.
Both words and melody are anonymous.
435. Can a little child like me _Ascribed to Mary Mapes Dodge_,
1831-1905
A children’s hymn of thanksgiving.
Mary Mapes Dodge, to whom the poem is ascribed, wrote stories and poetry
for children. _Hans Brinker of the Silver Skates_ is her best-known
work. She was also first editor of _St. Nicholas_ magazine.
No information has been traced concerning the composer of the tune, W.
K. Basswood. Words and music were taken from _The Hymnary_, Toronto,
1930, published by the United Church of Canada.
MISSIONS
436. Remember all God’s children _Percy Dearmer_, 1867-1936
A missionary hymn for children, but suitable also for adults. It was
written at the request of the Church Missionary Society (London) for
their children’s magazine, _The Round World_. A few months later,
January 1, 1930, it was reprinted in _Songs of Praise for Boys and
Girls_. The original is in three stanzas of eight lines each. The first
stanza and the first half of the second, omitted in the _Hymnary_, are
as follows:
Remember all the people
Who live in far-off lands
In strange and lovely cities,
Or roam the desert sands,
Or farm the mountain pastures,
Or till the endless plains
Where children wade through rice-fields
And watch the camel-trains:
Some work in sultry forests
Where apes swing to and fro,
Some fish in mighty rivers,
Some hunt across the snow.
Percy Dearmer, prominent figure in the Church of England, was educated
at Oxford, served important posts as minister, and in 1919 became
Professor of Ecclesiastical Art in King’s College, London. He was editor
of two epoch-making hymn books in England—_The English Hymnal_ and
_Songs of Praise_—and wrote an unexcelled handbook to the latter,
entitled _Songs of Praise Discussed_. He is the author of a number of
religious books.
_MUSIC._ EINTRACHT is a melody from the _Gesangbuch mit Noten_, arranged
for unison or two-part singing by Prof. W. H. Hohmann, head of the Music
Department of Bethel College.
Walter H. Hohmann, born at Halstead, Kansas, received his education at
Bethel College and Bush Conservatory of Music, Chicago, the latter
granting him the degree of Bachelor of Music in 1922, and Master of
Music in 1928. After teaching several years at Freeman Junior College,
and one year at Nebraska State Teachers College, he joined the Bethel
College faculty in 1923. In recognition of his long years of service,
Bethel College gave him the honorary degree of Doctor of Music, in 1947.
He has composed a number of songs and served as co-editor of the
_Mennonite Hymnary_, 1940. He is the author of a booklet, _Outlines in
Hymnology with Emphasis on Mennonite Hymnology_, 1941.