Hymn Blog - November 22, 2009

November 22, 2009 – Reign of Christ

VU 268 – Bring Many Names. In this hymn, author Brian Wren explores many aspects of the divine with sharp, arresting, personal images. Wren, born in England and ordained in the Congregational Church, now lives in the United States with partner Rev. Susan Heafield, a United Methodist Pastor and composer. He has written several books related to hymnology, including “What Language Shall I Borrow”, which explores the range of imagery that can be brought to hymnody. The tune, WESTCHASE, is by Carleton Young, a distinguished Methodist hymnologist, author of “Companion to the United Methodist Hymnal”, a reference I use frequently in composing this blog.

VU 583 – Jesus Came, a Child like Me. Author Walter Farquerson, former moderator of the United Church (1990-92), lives in Saltcoats, Saskatchewan where he was settled in 1961 and served in pastoral ministry until his retirement. He is the author of hundreds of hymns, of which 13 appear in Voices United and 2 in More Voices. The tune, JESUS CAME, was written for this text by Richard D. Hall of Oshawa. The text, probably not coincidentally, also fits the tune JESUS LOVES ME.

MV 176 – Three Things I Promise. Another hymn by Brian Wren, this text is strongly trinitarian in theme and structure. The tune,  BLANN, is by Dan Damon, an internationally published writer of hymn texts and tunes. He is pastor of First United Methodist Church, Richmond, California. (see last week’s blog)

VU 212 – Eternal Christ, You Rule. This text, and the tune THROCKMORTON, are also by Dan Damon. The text contrasts dramatically with other texts in the reign of Christ section of Voices United, which are largely triumphalistic, presenting the power of the risen Christ. Damon credits a sermon by United Church of Christ minister Ansley Coe Throckmorton at the Pacific School of Religion, as the inspiration for this text.