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 22, 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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.