Anglican Hymnfest

[Polycarp1]

An awful lot of our theology and piety, I've found, is shown best in the music we use. This is a thread to identify favorite hymns, and, if you desire, say a little bit about why they're especially meaningful to you.

I encourage one hymn per post, and if you can do so, include words and music (link to a midi or mp3 file -- for Episcopalians, The Hymnal 1982 is here (http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/82.html), and I think that site has links to other hymnals.)

[Polycarp1]

I come with joy to meet my Lord,
forgiven, loved, and free,
in awe and wonder to recall
his life laid down for me.

I come with Christians far and near
to find, as all are fed,
the new community of love
in Christ's communion bread.

As Christ breaks bread and bids us share,
each proud division ends.
That love that made us makes us one,
and strangers now are friends.

And thus with joy we meet our Lord.
His presence, always near,
is in such friendship better known:
we see and praise him here.

Together met, together bound,
we'll go our different ways,
and as his people in the world,
we'll live and speak his praise.

http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/i/i033.html

This one for me speaks of the focus on Eucharist and the sense of community and reconciliation that characterizes Anglican belief and practice.

[Polycarp1]

'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down
where we ought to be,
and when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gained
to bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed,
to turn, turn, will be our delight
till by turning, turning we come round right.

http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/t/t717.html

No need to comment -- this old Shaker hymn has spoken to the hearts of people for centuries now, and has been incorporated in "classical" pieces by composers from Aaron Copland to Augusta Cecconi-Bates.

[pmcleanj]

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England’s mountains green?
And was the Holy Lamb of God
On England’s pleasant pastures seen?
And did the countenance divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!
I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England’s green and pleasant land.

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/n/anddidtf.htm

For all the theology we may spout and the doctrine we may memorize, each of us also has a deep spiritual connection to the land in which we live (or for those of us who are in any way refugees, the land that we yearn for). Regardless of the historicity (or lack of historicity) of the Joseph of Arimethea myth, or its parallels in other lands, this hymn reminds us that we meet God through Christ right here in our own lands. We do not need to look to foreign cultures or traditions to find a way to worship God. God has made every land and calls every people, and for every one of us "Jerusalem" can be in our own back garden.

[benedictine]

well, my favorite hymn is copyright, so I'll use my second favorite. . .

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, thou Wisdom from on high,
who orderest all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go. Refrain

O come, thou Rod of Jesse, free
thine own from Satan's tyranny;
from depths of hell thy people save,
and give them victory over the grave. Refrain

O come, thou Dayspring, come and cheer
our spirits by thine advent here;
disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
and death's dark shadows put to flight. Refrain

O come, thou Key of David, come,
and open wide our heavenly home;
make safe the way that leads on high,
and close the path to misery. Refrain

O come, O come, great Lord of might,
who to thy tribes on Sinai's height
in ancient times once gave the law
in cloud and majesty and awe. Refrain

O come, thou Root of Jesse's tree,
an ensign of thy people be;
before thee rulers silent fall;
all peoples on thy mercy call. Refrain

O come, Desire of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind;
bid thou our sad divisions cease,
and be thyself our King of Peace. Refrain

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear. Refrain



---Pax Deo

[TomUK]

Perhaps not my all time favourite hymn as it changes what seems like every week (my current favourite is sweet sacrement divine, but i've posted it at least twice over the past couple of weeks so thought i'd select a different one)

The tune (finlandia) is gorgeous, and more commonly associated with be still my soul. These words however, while equally beautiful i find less frequently sung, and considering it is the 60th anniversary of the d-day landings at Normandy, i find the words are quite appropriate. Every time you sing these, or even read them, i don't think it is possible not to be totally humbled.

We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender!
We go not forth alone against the foe;
Strong in Thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender,
We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.
Strong in Thy strength, safe in Thy keeping tender,
We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.

Yes, in Thy Name, O Captain of salvation!
In Thy dear Name, all other names above;
Jesus our Righteousness, our sure Foundation,
Our Prince of glory and our King of love.
Jesus our Righteousness, our sure Foundation,
Our Prince of glory and our King of love.

We go in faith, our own great weakness feeling,
And needing more each day Thy grace to know:
Yet from our hearts a song of triumph pealing,
“We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.”
Yet from our hearts a song of triumph pealing,
“We rest on Thee, and in Thy Name we go.”

We rest on Thee, our Shield and our Defender!
Thine is the battle, Thine shall be the praise;
When passing through the gates of pearly splendor,
Victors, we rest with Thee, through endless days.
When passing through the gates of pearly splendor,
Victors, we rest with Thee, through endless days.


Words: Edith G. Cherry, circa 1895.

Music: “Finlandia,” Jean Sibelius,

This hymn has a sad story associated with it. In January 1956, five missionaries sang it before entering the Ecuadorian jungle to bring the Gospel to the Auca Indians. Their names were Nate Saint, Ed McCully, Jim Elliott, Roger Yoderian, and Peter Fleming. After the men reached the Aucas, the Indians murdered them on the Curaray River. However, the story has a happy ending. Years later, contact with the Aucas was re-established, and many came to Christ, including the killers, which is how first hand details of the missionaries’ deaths came to light.

One of the best known of the five martyrs was Jim Elliot. A number of his sayings are still quoted (e.g., “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose”). Elliot’s wife Elisabeth went on to considerable fame as an author and radio broadcaster. Her book Through the Gates of Splendor describes the encounter with the Aucas; its title comes from a line in this .

[Yahweh Nissi]

Good call for O come O come Emmanuel, I love that one too.


My favorite could well be For all the Saints

For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For the apostles' glorious company,
who bearing forth the cross o'er land and sea,
shook all the mighty world, we sing to Thee:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For the Evangelists, by whose blest word,
like fourfold streams, the garden of the Lord,
is fair and fruitful, be thy Name adored.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

For Martyrs, who with rapture kindled eye,
saw the bright crown descending from the sky,
and seeing, grasped it, thee we glorify.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
and win, with them the victor's crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
we feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
and hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;
soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
the saints triumphant rise in bright array;
the King of glory passes on his way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,
through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
and singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Wonderful :) It is just such an inspiring vision of the Church Millitant.

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
and hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

This verse, especially, has brought a tear to my eye on occasion.

[jhollas]

I vow to thee, my country—all earthly things above—
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;
The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.

And there’s another country, I’ve heard of long ago—
Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;
We may not count her armies, we may not see her King;
Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;
And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,
And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace.

[LizC]

I Feel the Winds of God Today

I feel the winds of God today; today my sail I lift,
Though heavy, oft with drenching spray, and torn with many a rift;
If hope but light the water’s crest, and Christ my bark will use,
I’ll seek the seas at His behest, and brave another cruise.

It is the wind of God that dries my vain regretful tears,
Until with braver thoughts shall rise the purer, brighter years;
If cast on shores of selfish ease or pleasure I should be;
Lord, let me feel Thy freshening breeze, and I’ll put back to sea.

If ever I forget Thy love and how that love was shown,
Lift high the blood red flag above; it bears Thy Name alone.
Great Pilot of my onward way, Thou wilt not let me drift;
I feel the winds of God today, today my sail I lift.

This hymn, with the tune 'Kingsfold' is absolutely beautiful. One treasure of the Anglican Church is the English/Irish folksong backgrounds a lot of the hymntunes have. Ralph Vaughan Williams has arranged them really nicely (I think he also did an arrangement for "For All the Saints", posted above).:)

[pmcleanj]

And following up on Liz' theme:

Saint Patrick's Breastplate

I bind unto myself today
the strong Name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One, and One in Three.


I bind this day to me for ever,
by power of faith, Christ's Incarnation;
his baptism in the Jordan river;
his death on the cross for my salvation;
his bursting from the spiced tomb;
his riding up the heavenly way;
his coming at the day of doom;
I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power
of the great love of cherubim;
the sweet "Well done" in judgement hour;
the service of the seraphim;
confessors' faith, apostles' word,
the patriarchs' prayers, the prophets' scrolls;
all good deeds done unto the Lord,
and purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today
the virtues of the starlit heaven
the glorious sun's life giving ray,
the whiteness of the moon at even,
the flashing ofthe lightning free,
the whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,
the stable eath, the deep salt sea,
around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today
the power of God to hold and lead,
his eye to watch, his might to stay,
his ear to hearken, to my need;
the wisdom of my God to teach,
his hand to guide, his shield to ward;
the word of God to give me speech,
his heavenly host to be my guard.



Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name,
the strong Name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One, and One in Three.
Of whom all nature hath creation,
eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
praise to the Lord of my salvation,
salvation is of Christ the Lord.

Many modern Anglicans see Celtic Spirituality as an ancient and apostolic alternative to the Latin norms that entered England with the council of Whitby and that were later enforced by the Papally-sponsored Norman invaders. We see the relics of that ancient faith style in hymns like this one, or like Be Thou My Vision (which vied in my mind for Saint Patrick's Breastplate's place in this thread). Celtic Christians see little conflict between ancient symbols and celebrations that centered on creation, and the Creator who is now made accessible to us through Christ Jesus, so syncretism doesn't raise the horror it does to some other understandings of spirituality. So we have Christmas, Candlemas, Lady Day, Roodmas, St John's Mass, Lammas, Michaelmas, and All Saints -- seasonal benchmarks of the revolving seasons that have been consectrated to the God who made the seasons. From the Celtic perspective, God is displayed in all creation: in the weather, the land, the seasons, the planting and the harvest. To deny the sacredness of nature seems odd, even vaguely gnostic.

[September]

Oh, wonderful hymns you guys have posted... some of my favorites.

One that I have come to love recently is this:

Will You Come and Follow Me

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known,
Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?

Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,
And admit to what I mean in you and you in me?

Will you love the "you" you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around,
Through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?

Lord, your summons echoes true when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.


by John L. Bell, Common Praise copyright © 1998 General Synod Anglican Church of Canada

midi file (http://www.bankhead.net/newburghcentreville/willyou.html)

[garydench]

Tell Out, My Soul

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
Unnumbered blessings, give my spirit voise.
Tender to me the promise of His word;
In God my saviour shall my heart rejoice.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of His name!
Make known His might, the deeds His arm has done:
His mercy sure, from age to age the same;
His holy name-the Lord, the mighty One.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of His might!
Powers and dominions lay their glory by.
Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put flight,
The hungry fed, the humble lifted high.

Tell out, my soul, the glories of His word!
Firm is His promise, and His mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
To children's children and for evermore!

midi (http://junior.apk.net/~bmames/ht0244_.htm)

[garydench]

Let All Mortal Keep Silence

Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.

King of kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heavenly food.

Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth
From the realms of endless day,
That the powers of hell may vanish
As the darkness clears away.

At His feet the six wingèd seraph,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry:
Alleluia, Alleluia
Alleluia, Lord Most High

Midi can be found here (http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/l/e/letallmf.htm)

[garydench]

Jesu, Lover of My Soul

Jesu, lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high.
Hide me, O my Savior, hide, till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last.

Other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, ah! leave me not alone, still support and comfort me.
All my trust on Thee is stayed, all my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenseless head with the shadow of Thy wing.

Wilt Thou not regard my call? Wilt Thou not accept my prayer?
Lo! I sink, I faint, I fall—Lo! on Thee I cast my care;
Reach me out Thy gracious hand! While I of Thy strength receive,
Hoping against hope I stand, dying, and behold, I live.

Thou, O Christ, art all I want, more than all in Thee I find;
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is Thy Name, I am all unrighteousness;
False and full of sin I am; Thou art full of truth and grace.

Plenteous grace with Thee is found, grace to cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound; make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art, freely let me take of Thee;
Spring Thou up within my heart; rise to all eternity.

midi (http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/j/l/jlmysoul.htm)

[The Lord is my banner]

When I survey the wondrous cross

Isaac Watts

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

[Added by the compilers of Hymns An*cient and Mo*dern]

To Christ, Who won for sinners grace
By bitter grief and anguish sore,
Be praise from all the ransomed race
Forever and forevermore.

I love the best-known verses (1,2,3,5) and didn't realise there were others! (See above.)

I have sung it to at least 3 different tunes.
A new melody can sometimes re-awaken the words of a familiar hymn.

God bless, Susana

[ReverendRoadlaw]

Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face;
here would I touch and handle things unseen;
here grasp with firmer hand eternal grace,
and all my weariness upon thee lean.

Here would I feed upon the Bread of God,
here drink with thee the royal Wine of heaven;
here would I lay aside each earthly load,
here taste afresh the calm of sin forgiven.

I have no help but thine; nor do I need
another arm save thine to lean upon;
it is enough, my Lord, enough indeed;
my strength is in thy might, thy might alone.

Mine is the sin, but thine the righteousness:
mine is the guilt, but thine the cleansing
here is my robe, my refuge, and my peace;
thy Blood, thy righteousness, O Lord my God!

I believe the tune name is Nyack, but that is not the tune which plays to hymn number 318 on the listed link...

[Polycarp1]

Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face;
here would I touch and handle things unseen;
here grasp with firmer hand eternal grace,
and all my weariness upon thee lean.

Here would I feed upon the Bread of God,
here drink with thee the royal Wine of heaven;
here would I lay aside each earthly load,
here taste afresh the calm of sin forgiven.

I have no help but thine; nor do I need
another arm save thine to lean upon;
it is enough, my Lord, enough indeed;
my strength is in thy might, thy might alone.

Mine is the sin, but thine the righteousness:
mine is the guilt, but thine the cleansing
here is my robe, my refuge, and my peace;
thy Blood, thy righteousness, O Lord my God!

I believe the tune name is Nyack, but that is not the tune which plays to hymn number 318 on the listed link...
There are a half dozen tunes to which the words to this (and 316/317, which are other verses from the same long poem/hymn by Horatius Bonar) can be sung. Canticum Refectionis is one, Morestead another, Nyack as you noted a third, and if I remember correctly, Morecambe is yet another.

[September]

When I survey the wondrous cross

Isaac Watts

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.

See from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down!
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown?

His dying crimson, like a robe,
Spreads o’er His body on the tree;
Then I am dead to all the globe,
And all the globe is dead to me.

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.

[Added by the compilers of Hymns An*cient and Mo*dern]

To Christ, Who won for sinners grace
By bitter grief and anguish sore,
Be praise from all the ransomed race
Forever and forevermore.

I love the best-known verses (1,2,3,5) and didn't realise there were others! (See above.)

I have sung it to at least 3 different tunes.
A new melody can sometimes re-awaken the words of a familiar hymn.

God bless, SusanaThis hymn never used to have much meaning for me until I heard Chris Tomlin's song "The Wonderful Cross" -- which is this hymn put to new music. Suddenly it had a whole new meaning for me, touching me very deeply. I love that. It's now one of my favorites. :)

[garydench]

For O come, O come, Emmanuel, just remember to really belt out the refrain.

Here's one that English school-kids should remember...

At the Name of Jesus, every knee shall bow,
Every tongue confess Him King of glory now;
’Tis the Father’s pleasure we should call Him Lord,
Who from the beginning was the mighty Word.

Mighty and mysterious in the highest height,
God from everlasting, very light of light:
In the Father’s bosom with the spirit blest,
Love, in love eternal, rest, in perfect rest.

At His voice creation sprang at once to sight,
All the angel faces, all the hosts of light,
Thrones and dominations, stars upon their way,
All the heavenly orders, in their great array.

Humbled for a season, to receive a name
From the lips of sinners unto whom He came,
Faithfully He bore it, spotless to the last,
Brought it back victorious when from death He passed.

Bore it up triumphant with its human light,
Through all ranks of creatures, to the central height,
To the throne of Godhead, to the Father’s breast;
Filled it with the glory of that perfect rest.

Name Him, brothers, name Him, with love strong as death
But with awe and wonder, and with bated breath!
He is God the Savior, He is Christ the Lord,
Ever to be worshipped, trusted and adored.

In your hearts enthrone Him; there let Him subdue
All that is not holy, all that is not true;
Crown Him as your Captain in temptation’s hour;
Let His will enfold you in its light and power.

Brothers, this Lord Jesus shall return again,
With His Father’s glory, with His angel train;
For all wreaths of empire meet upon His brow,
And our hearts confess Him King of glory now.

[Diane_Windsor]

Jerusalem

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England’s mountains green?
And was the Holy Lamb of God
On England’s pleasant pastures seen?
And did the countenance divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!
I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England’s green and pleasant land.

I VOW TO THEE, MY COUNTRY-sung at Prince Charles and Lady Di's wedding, and later sung at her funeral.
I vow to thee, my country—all earthly things above—
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;
The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.

And there’s another country, I’ve heard of long ago—
Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;
We may not count her armies, we may not see her King;
Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;
And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,
And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace.

I like both songs because of the lyrics and music. Go to CyberHymnal for the tunes.

[Karl - Liberal Backslider]

Late to this thread...

John Bell is the Wesley of our time. He's written some less good ones, but the best is excellent. Anyone heard his regular Radio 4 "Thought for the Day" slots? (8.50am UK Time - you can get it through the internet or read transcripts). I've heard him speak at Greenbelt a few times. Probably wouldn't be a favourite speaker of our brothers and sisters over on the Fundamentalism forum, but there you go.

"At the name of Jesus" is brilliant. Not many hymns explore the theology of the ascension, but this one does:

Bore it up triumphant with its human light,
Through all ranks of creatures, to the central height,
To the throne of Godhead, to the Father’s breast;
Filled it with the glory of that perfect rest.

My Orthodox contacts tell me that my understanding of the Ascension, as expressed in this verse, is quasi-Orthodox.

If I may misquote some Latin - Lex cantandi, lex credendi

[Treasure the Questions]

Late to this thread...
Even later to this thread...

John Bell is excellent. I heard him for the first time at Greenbelt last year and got recordings of all three of his talks as wel as one of his books. He talks so much sense and is someone who seems to me to keep his ear well tuned in to the Master's voice. I've found him immensely helpful.

I have also heard him on thought for the day from time to time.

I would be interested in buying a recording of his and Graham Maule's (sp?) hymns from Wild Goose. If you could suggest a good CD to start with I would be grateful, Karl, as I've only heard one or two of their hymns and can't remember what they were.

[Zacharias]

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home!

Under the shadow of Thy throne,
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.

A thousand ages in Thy sight
Are like an evening gone;
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

Time, like an ever-rolling stream,
Bears all its sons away;
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the op'ning day.

O God our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while life shall last,
And our eternal home.

I must say that this is my favorite hymn. :clap:

[garydench]

The last three lines of "I Vow to thee, My Country" always remind me of the Princess of Wales.

[garydench]

Jesu Bleibet Meine Freude

Jesu, joy of man’s desiring,
Holy wisdom, love most bright;
Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring
Soar to uncreated light.
Word of God, our flesh that fashioned,
With the fire of life impassioned,
Striving still to truth unknown,
Soaring, dying round Thy throne.

Through the way where hope is guiding,
Hark, what peaceful music rings;
Where the flock, in Thee confiding,
Drink of joy from deathless springs.
Theirs is beauty’s fairest pleasure;
Theirs is wisdom’s holiest treasure.
Thou dost ever lead Thine own
In the love of joys unknown.

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/j/e/jesujomd.htm

It does however sound much better with the famous Chorale Prelude. Forgive me, I'm a fan of good old Johann. Forgive, I'm just going to the Catholic forum but I'll be Bach soon. ;)

[Treasure the Questions]

'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down
where we ought to be,
and when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gained
to bow and to bend we shan't be ashamed,
to turn, turn, will be our delight
till by turning, turning we come round right.

http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/t/t717.html

I chose this to be sung at our wedding while we signed the register. That was nearly 20 years ago, and I still think it's beautiful. :cool: