History of Hymns—The Evolution of LDS Hymns

020: “Our Savior's Love”

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 12:00:00 MST

Episode 20: The history behind “Our Savior’s Love”: Edward LeRoy Hart was a professor of English at Brigham Young University for thirty years and held a Fulbright Fellowship for study in Pakistan. Edward stated that the hymn “Our Savior’s Love” grew out of a figure of speech. “The simile,” he said, “goes back to seeing people in a fabric or clothing store take material outside and into the sunlight to test its color in the only true or ‘perfect’ source of light. In the same way, the only true test of love is the source, our Savior’s love.” In 1977 the Church Music Committee asked composer Crawford Gates to create a setting for Brother Hart’s text. Crawford says of the experience, “Though I am aware that all creativity comes from God, perhaps three times in my career I have been very aware of melodic ideas coming as a direct gift from Him. This was one of those times.” This program includes renditions of the hymn by the following artists: Brigham Young University’s Young Ambassadors, Todd McCabe and April Moriarty, Michael Dowdle, The Gibbons Family, Kay Hicks Ward and Meredith Campbell, Clayne Robison, Doug Bush, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.

019: “More Holiness Give Me”

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 12:00:00 MST

Episode 19: The history behind “More Holiness Give Me”: Philip Paul Bliss was born in 1838 and grew up in rural Pennsylvania and Ohio. When he was 10 years old and selling vegetables to help support the family, Philip first heard a piano and was unable to resist the temptation that lured him through an open door and into the parlor. Barefoot and ragged, he stood spellbound until the music ceased. Philip, in ecstacy, cried out, “O lady, play some more.” The young lady, surprised at the unexpected intrusion by the ragged stranger, rudely ordered him out of the house, but he left with sweet memories of the music. By the 1870s Bliss began to devote a great deal of energy to the composition of sacred music. In 1873 he wrote “More Holiness Give Me,” the hymn rendered by the following artists in this episode: The Brigham Young Unversity Singers, Ron Staheli, Lex de Azevedo, Kenneth Cope, Michael Dowdle, and the Brigham Young University Men’s Chorus.

018: “Where Can I Turn for Peace?”

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 12:00:00 MST

Episode 18: The history behind “Where Can I Turn for Peace?”: In 1971 Joleen G. Meredith and Emma Lou Thayne were asked to write a musical number for the Laurel workshop at June Conference. Emma Lou telephoned Joleen to discuss the assignment. Joleen recalls: “I happened to be in the music room of our home at the time. Sister Thayne says she had been thinking of a message of hope and peace as the hymn’s theme. As she began to relate some of the beginning lyrics, I stepped to the piano and said, ‘Sounds good—the music should go something like this…’ She said ’good’, and gave me another line. I responded with additional measures of music. Before the conversation ended, we had mostly ‘roughed in’ the basic hymn. We have lovingly spoken of this number as the ‘telephone hymn’ throughout the years.” This program includes contemporary renditions of the hymn by the following artists: Greg Hansen, Michael Dowdle, Brigham Young University Women’s Chorus, Mark Small, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Gibbons Family, Voice Male, and the Utah Chamber Artists.

017: “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee”

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 11:00:00 MST

Episode 17: The history behind “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee”: Born in A.D. 1090, Bernard of Fontaine, who originally wrote the words of this hymn in Latin, had all the advantages of high birth and became a boy of graceful manners and elegance of expression. His mother taught him to believe in Christ, and he lived as an ascetic, with great zeal for Christ. Bernard later became known as Bernard of Clairvaux, a name taken from the first monastery he founded. Martin Luther, 400 years later, called him “the best monk that ever lived, whom I admire beyond all the rest put together.” “Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee” was translated from Latin to English by Edward Caswall. John Bacchus Dykes composed the tune. This program includes contemporary renditions of the hymn by the following artists: Greg Hansen, Michael Dowdle, Lex de Azevedo, Meredith Campbell, Kay Hicks Ward, Kenneth Cope, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.

016: “Come, Come, Ye Saints”

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 12:00:00 MST

Episode 16: The history behind "Come, Come, Ye Saints”: William Clayton—an American pioneer, journalist, scribe, inventor, lyricist, and musician—was born in 1814 in Penwortham, in northwestern England. At age 22 he joined the Church, as did his wife. In early April 1846, Brother Clayton was a member of the first company of Mormon pioneers to face the westward trek to Utah. During the journey he composed new text to the music of a recently-popularized song, “All Is Well.” The new hymn, known today as “Come, Come, Ye Saints,” quickly became a favorite among the Saints crossing the plains. This program includes contemporary renditions of “Come, Come, Ye Saints” by the following artists: Lex de Azevedo, Merrill Jensen, Michael Dowdle, Jenny Richards, Jenny Oaks Baker, Octapella, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.

015: “Be Still, My Soul”

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:00:00 MST

Episode 15: The history behind "Be Still, My Soul": In this hymn, Katharina Amalia Dorothea von Schlegel wove together a series of scriptural themes in a creative and remarkable way. She was born in Cöthen, Germany, on October 22nd, 1697, only 12 years after Johann Sebastian Bach—who may have been an acquaintance of hers. Jane L. Borthwick translated Katharina’s words into English about a century after their publication in German. Finnish composer Jean Sibelius originally wrote the music for a piece that would become a national favorite in his native land. This program includes contemporary renditions of “Be Still, My Soul” by the following artists: Michael Dowdle, Scott and Jenny Frogley, Jenny Oaks Baker, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square, the Brigham Young University Concert Choir, and Christina England.

014: “The Lord Is My Shepherd”

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:00:00 MST

Episode 14: The history behind "The Lord Is My Shepherd": Many hymn writers have attempted the task of turning one of the most beloved of all scriptural passages--the 23rd Psalm--into verse. James Montgomery succeeded, retaining the beauty and solace of this psalm while giving it the rhyme and meter of a traditional hymn pattern. His psalm paraphrase was first printed in 1822. The original melody was composed or arranged by Thomas Koschat. This program includes contemporary renditions of the hymn by the following artists: The Brigham Young University Combined Choirs and Philharmonic Orchestra, Reid Nibley, the Gibbons Family, Lysa Rytting, Beverly Hansen, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Jenny Oaks Baker, and the Utah Chamber Artists.

013: “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:00:00 MST

Episode 13: The history behind "I Know That My Redeemer Lives": Samuel Medley, who wrote the text of “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” in 1775, was born in Cheshunt, England, just north of London, in 1738. He practiced sinful and profane ways until his leg was wounded in a naval battle in 1759. The possibility of amputation led Samuel to pray, asking that he might keep his leg. The prayer was answered, and Samuel Medley repented and lived for the Lord. Latter-day Saint Lewis D. Edwards wrote the melody we now associate with this hymn. This program includes contemporary renditions of the hymn by the following artists: The Gibbons Family, Michael Dowdle, Jenny Frogley and David Betros, Beverly Hansen, Greg Hansen, and the Brigham Young University Singers.

012: “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:00:00 MST

Episode 12: The history behind “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty”: In 1517 Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the door of the Cathedral of Wittenberg, thus beginning a religious transformation that would influence much of the world in subsequent years. Joachim Neander studied theology in Germany more than a century later. He wrote the words for this hymn, which was translated to the English language by Catherine Winkworth. Her translations, with alterations, are still the most widely used of any from German. This program includes contemporary renditions of the hymn by the following artists: The Brigham Young University Combined Choirs and Philharmonic Orchestra, Mack Wilberg, Clayne Robson, Daniel Carter, Octapella, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.

011: “I Need Thee Every Hour”

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 09:00:00 MST

Episode 11: The history behind “I Need Thee Every Hour”: From an early age, Annie Sherwood Hawks read avidly and wrote poetry. After she married, her pastor--Dr. Robert S. Lowry--offered to write music if she would write words for songs. They coauthored "I Need Thee Every Hour," and it was published in 1873. This program also features contemporary renditions of this hymn by the following artists: Kenneth Cope, Michael Dowdle, Kurt Bestor, Octapella, the Small-Torres Guitar Duo, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.

010: “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief”

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:00:00 MST

Episode 10: The history behind “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief”: Originally a poem entitled “The Stranger” by James Montgomery, this hymn answers the question posed in Matthew 25:37-39: “Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? Or thirsty, and gave thee drink?” At the age of 7, James Montgomery was sent to Fulneck Seminary in Yorkshire, England. A few years later his parents left him in the care of the seminary and set off as missionaries to the West Indies. Not long after they had left, his parents met with tragedy and died. We can only imagine how his parents’ death affected James. Unfortunately, his scholastic record at Fulneck suffered and in 1787 he began various apprenticeships outside the seminary, before becoming an assistant to a Mr. Gales, a printer of the Sheffield Register. Montgomery took over the Sheffield Register, changing its name to the Sheffield Iris, and continued to edit it for 32 years. He wrote 400 hymns, but his best-known hymn is “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief,” which has also become a poem. James never married and died quietly in his sleep at age 83. In 1792, a devout Methodist, George Coles wrote the melody of “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief,” or “Duane Street,” as the hymn is also known. Coles came across a copy of James Montgomery’s poem and set it to music. “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief” is especially loved among Latter-day Saints because of the role it played in the last hours before the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. This program features contemporary renditions of this hymn from such artists as the following: David Tolk’s arrangement of “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief” from his album “In Reverence”

009: “The Morning Breaks"

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 11:00:00 MST

Episode 09: The history behind “The Morning Breaks": Charles Wesley was born in December of 1701 and was a leader of the Methodist movement, an Anglican minister, and a hymn writer. In the course of his career, Wesley wrote the words for two thousand hymns, and his poem “Wrestling Jacob” caught the eye of Parley P. Pratt with the line, “The morning breaks, the shadows flee.” To Parley this line had new meaning—the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Parley went to England in 1840 and commenced the publication of a periodical entitled The Millennial Star. It was in this publication that Parley’s hymn, “The Morning Breaks,” was first published. Born in 1839, George Edward Percy Careless began his musical career being a self-taught violinist. At the age of 11, he came in contact with missionaries from The Church of Jesus of Christ of Latter-day Saints and accepted the gospel in 1850. By 1859 George began formal studies at the Royal Academy of Music in London. After three years he began playing professionally under many famous conductors then working in London. One Sunday evening early in 1864, Elder William Staines counseled George to sail for Utah on the next ship, saying, “You are wanted in Zion and I want you to go. What do you say?” George agreed with Elder Staines’ counsel and set sail from England on the ship Hudson on June 3, 1864. The familiar George Careless tune with which we now associate “The Morning Breaks” was created in this way. Twelve years later, in 1876, Brother Careless’ hymn tune was finally published.

008: “Redeemer of Israel"

Thu, 06 Aug 2009 10:00:00 MST

Episode 08: The history behind “Redeemer of Israel": In October 1831, W. W. Phelps was instructed to purchase a printing press and begin printing a monthly paper in Independence, Missouri. In the first issue of The Evening and Morning Star, William published his adaptation of a poem entitled, “O Thou in Whose Presence My Soul Takes Delight,” and which he called, “Redeemer of Israel.” The author, Joseph Swain, was a dedicated pastor of a church in Walworth, England. Joseph’s delicate health often frustrated his desires to work without ceasing for the benefit of his congregation. His health eventually failed, and he passed away at age thirty-five, leaving a wife and four small children, who were supported partially by the posthumous publication of many of his poems and hymns. The tune to which we sing “Redeemer of Israel” is known by several names—Dulcimer, Beloved, and Meditation. Freeman Lewis, who wrote the tune, lived in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, between 1780 and 1859. No other hymn tunes are known to have been composed by him. If this is, indeed, his only hymn tune, what a great legacy he has nonetheless left us.

007: “Nearer, My God, to Thee”

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:00:00 MST

Episode 07: The history behind “Nearer, My God, to Thee”: Sarah Flower Adams wanted to become an actress, but ill health cut her acting career short, so she turned to writing. As a member of the congregation of the Rev. William Johnson Fox, a Unitarian minister in London, she contributed 13 hymns to the Hymns and Anthems, published in 1841. "Nearer, My God, to Thee" was written by request to accompany a sermon by Reverend Fox on the account of Jacob's dream in Genesis chapter 28. Originally, it was sung to a tune composed by Sarah's sister, Eliza. But the hymn did not gain wide appeal until paired with the Lowell Mason tune with which it is commonly sung today. Lowell Mason was largely responsible for introducing music into American public schools. He arranged and adapted music for "Joy to the World," "How Gentle God's Commands," and many others. This program features contemporary renditions of this hymn from such artists as the following: Lex De Azevedo, "London Philharmonic Orchestra" series, instrumental version (Album: A Child of God); Kurt Bestor (Album: Images); The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square (Album: Then Sings My Soul); Octapella (Album: Worship); Geslison and Groberg (Album: Abide with Me); Michael Dowdle (Beloved Hymns of Prayer and Faith); Vocal Point (Album: Non-Stop); Lex De Azevedo (Album: Variations on a Sacred Theme II); and the Utah Chamber Artists (Album: We'll Sing and Shout).

006: “Lead, Kindly Light”

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 12:00:00 MST

Episode 06: The History behind “Lead, Kindly Light”—The words were written by John Henry Newman, who was raised in an ordinary Church of England home but later converted and became an Anglican minister. John Bacchus Dykes wrote the tune to which we sing “Lead, Kindly Light” specifically for John Henry Newman’s words. The tune name, LUX BENIGNA, is Latin for “kindly light.” Dykes was a distinguished Cambridge student and was cofounder of the Cambridge University Musical Society. He published sermons and articles on religion but is best known as a composer of over 300 hymn tunes. This program features contemporary renditions of this hymn from such artists as the following: Lex De Azevedo, "London Philharmonic Orchestra” series and the Variations on a Sacred Theme Volume 1 album The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square (Album: Then Sings My Soul) Brigham Young University Young Ambassadors (Album: The Lord Is My Light) Michael Dowdle (Album: Fifty Favorite Hymns) Kurt Bestor (Album: Music for a Sunday Afternoon) Reid Nibley (Album: Twelve Hymn Preludes)

005: “How Great Thou Art”

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 12:00:00 MST

Episode 05: The History behind “How Great Thou Art”—Stuart K. Hine lived a life dedicated to God during a time when opposition was strong against those who proclaimed Christ. His wife and he first heard this Swedish folk melody while ministering to the people of Ukraine. However, the inspiration to write original English lyrics did not come to them until they were in the beautiful Carpathian Mountains of Russia. This program highlights the history behind each verse of this beloved hymn and also features contemporary renditions of this hymn from such artists as the following: Lex De Azevedo, London Philharmonic Recording Series, Instrumental Version (Album: A Mighty Fortress) Michael Dowdle (Album: Beloved Hymns of Christ; Hymns of Praise, Songs of Joy) Larry Green (Album: Kingsfold) The BYU Singers (Album: We Sing of Christ) Jenny Oaks Baker (Album: On Wings of Song) The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square (Album: Then Sings My Soul)

004: "Praise to the Man"

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 12:00:00 MST

Episode 04: The History behind “Praise to the Man”—William W. Phelps wrote the text to 15 hymns that we still sing today. His story is much like the prodigal son—one of straying from and returning to the fold of God. This program highlights this history and also features contemporary renditions of this hymn from such artists as the following: The Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square, under the direction of Mack Wilberg, “Praise to the Man” (Album: Praise to the Man) FiddleSticks, “Praise to the Man” (Album: Return to Nauvoo) Merrill Jenson, “Praise to the Man” (Album: High on the Mountain Top) Lex De Azevedo, “Fantasy on a Scottish Tune” (Album: Variations on a Sacred Theme II) BYU Vocal Ensemble: Vocal Point, “Praise to the Man” (Arrangement Ricky Parkinson, Album: Nonstop) Enoch Train, “Scotland the Brave” Michael Dowdle, “Praise to the Man” (Beloved Hymns of the Restoration)

003: “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer”

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 12:00:00 MST

Episode 03: The History behind “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer”—George Manwaring, the author of “Joseph Smith’s First Prayer,” was a music teacher and poet of rare ability; he never had a music lesson in his life, yet he was able to play piano and organ and teach–all of which he did by ear. Inspired by a painting of the First Vision, George put the story of the First Vision to song. The musical arrangement for the hymn was done by the trained musician A. C. Smyth, who adapted it from Sylvanus Billings Pond’s melody. This program also features contemporary renditions of this hymn.

002: “All Creatures of Our God and King”

Fri, 29 May 2009 12:00:00 MST

Episode 02: The history behind “All Creatures of Our God and King”—St. Francis of Assisi, the gentle preacher who loved the birds and animals of the forest and every manifestation of the natural world, could have left no more fitting legacy than this great hymn to nature. It is a joyous inventory of the blessings heaped upon us by a loving Creator, as each of His creations is urged to join in a chorus of praise. This remarkable hymn was put to the musical arrangement done by Ralph Vaughan Williams. This program also features contemporary renditions of this hymn.

001: “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet”

Fri, 29 May 2009 11:59:00 MST

Episode 01: The history behind “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet”—In this first episode we feature the history behind “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet.” As a convert to the Church, William Fowler wrote the words to this well-known hymn. The music was composed by Caroline Sheridan Norton. This program also features contemporary renditions of this hymn.