Hymn Blog for April 26, 2009

Hymns for Sunday, April 26, 2009.

 

VU 373 – As Comes the Breath of Spring

           

The text of this hymn was written by David Lackie Richie, the Dean of United Theological College in Montreal, in 1929. It was written for The Hymnary, the first United Church of Canada hymnbook. Its editor, Dr. Alexander MacMillan, states “In this stimulating hymn, composed with the outlook of youth in view, and striking the modern note, emphasis is laid upon aspects of the manifold work of the divine spirit in the transforming of human life.” (Alexander MacMillan, Hymns of the Church, 1935) The text has stood up very well over the years. The version in VU changes the original text only to refer to God in the second person, rather than the third.

 

The tune, DENBY, by Charles J. Dale, first appeared in the Methodist Hymn Book (1904) in England.

 

MV 191 – What Can I Do

           

Singer songwriter Paul Rumbolt was born in Newfoundland, but has been a resident of the foothill country of Alberta for the past 15 years. 

 

VU 183 – We Meet You, O Christ

           

Prolific hymn poet Fred Kaan wrote this text for a television program in the BBC series Seeing and Believing in1966. The program idea came from a photograph of an apple tree growing in the ruins of a bombed-out Plymouth church. The text stresses the humanity of Christ, the suffering servant, with a strong message of resurrection in the final verse.

 

            The tune, LIFE, is by Peter D. Smith, first appearing in his 1969 collection Faith, Folk and Festivity.

 

VU 166 – Joy Comes with the Dawn

            Gordon Light, retired bishop of the Anglican Parishes of the Central Interior (of British Columbia), is a well-known Canadian musician who composes, plays guitar and sings as a member of a 25-year-old quartet called the Common Cup Company.

 

MV 169 – When Hands Reach Out Beyond Divides

 

            Keri Wehlander is an author, hymn lyricist, liturgical dancer and leader of retreats and workshops. Spirituality and the arts provide a primary focus for her work in various settings in both her native Canada and the U.S. A passion for making biblical stories and imagery come alive is at the heart of her work.

 

            The tune, SALEM, is from the 1854 edition of Southern Harmony. The first verse of original text in Southern Harmony for this tune was:

 

He dies! the Friend of sinners dies!

 Lo! Salem's daughters weep around;

 A solemn darkness veils the skies,

 A sudden trembling shakes the ground.