What a beautiful fall day! Thank you for joining us in our first Hymn Sing of November. We continue to feature hymn stories, each week having a different hymn story about the song’s composition and the author. We hope you enjoy learning more about these songs of our faith!
Psalm 16:8 – “I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I shall not be shall not be shaken.”
For “littles” and “young at heart”
Prayer of Thanksgiving:
(Feel free to say each line and have your child repeat what you say or say it as you pray together.)
Thank you God for the sun that shines every day.
Thank you God for the stars that shine every night.
Even though sometimes it’s cloudy and I can’t see them.
Thank you God that You are always there.
Every day and every night.
Amen
This Train
LYRICS
This train is a bound for glory, this train.
This train is a bound for glory, this train.
This train is a bound for glory,
All aboard for the gospel story.
This train is a bound for glory, this train.
(Repeat 3 times)
This train is a bound for glory, this train.
Abide with Me
Lyrics: Sabine Baring-Gould
Hymn Background:
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”
John 15:7
Henry Francis Lyre, vicar in the fishing village of Lower Brixham, Devonshire, England, ministered faithfully for 23 years to his seafaring people. Even though he and his wife Anne were a humble couple, they lived in an elegant state called Berry Head. It is thought that their home was provided by King William IV who had been impressed with Henry’s ministry. It’s coastal views were among the most beautiful in the British Isles. To enjoy God’s beauty Henry created many walking trails through the estate’s 41 acres and loved the tranquility of the house and grounds. There he wrote most of his sermons, poems, and hymns.
But Henry’s lung condition hung over his life like a dark black cloud. His community suffered damp winters which made his tuberculosis worse. On September 4, 1847, age 54, he approached his pulpit with difficulty and preached what was to be his last sermon. He had planned to leave for a therapeutic holiday in Italy later that fall. “I must put everything in order before I leave. I have no idea if I will return” he said.
That afternoon he walked along the coast in pensive prayer, then retired to his room, emerging an hour later with the hymn “Abide with Me”. Shortly afterward, Henry embraced his family and departed for Italy. Arriving on the French Riviera, he checked into his hotel in Nice, and there on November 20, 1847, his weakened lungs finally gave out. Another English clergyman, a Rev. Manning from Chichester, who happened to be staying in the same hotel, attended him during his final hours. Henry’s last words were, “Peace! Joy!”
When news of his death reached Brixham, the fisherman of the village asked Henry’s son-in-law who was also a minister to hold a memorial service. It was on this occasion that “Abide with Me” was sung for the first time.
LYRICS
1. Abide with me; fast falls the eventide.
The darkness deepens, God, with me abide;
When other helpers fail, and comforts flee;
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
3. I need thy presence every passing hour;
What but thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who like thyself my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, O abide with me.
4. I fear no foe, with thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where grave thy victory?
I triumph still if thou abide with me.
Come, Ye Thankful People, Come
Hymn Background:
This English harvest hymn was composed in 1844 by Henry Alford. It is paired with the tune St. George’s-Windsor by George Job Elvey. Henry Alford was the rector of Aston Sandford Church in Buckinghamshire, England.
The first verse is written as a celebration of the harvest, calling for people to give thanks to God for his bounty. The last two verses are based on the ‘Parable of the Tares’ (the ‘Parable of the Weeds’- Matthew 13:24-43), and discusses the last harvest at the Second Coming of Christ.
LYRICS
1. Come, ye thankful people come. Raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker does provide for our wants to be supplied.
Come to God’s own temple come. Raise the song of harvest home.
2. All the blessings of the field, all the stores the gardens yield,
All the fruits in full supply ripened ‘neath the summer sky.
All the spring with bounteous hand scatters o’er the smiling land.
All that liberal autumn pours from its rich o’er flowing stores.
3. These to thee our God we owe, source whence all our blessings flow.
And for these our souls shall raise grateful vows and solemn praise.
Come then thankful people come. Raise the song of harvest home.
Come to God’s own temple come. Raise the song of harvest home.
One Comment
Beautiful as always. Thanks Kim.
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