Songs of Praise Conductor Simon Lole has given some background on each hymn and why they are a good choice for the funeral service.
Abide With Me
Words: H.F. Lyte; Tune: W.H.Monk
Why it's a good choice:
One of the most sung hymns at funerals, this is really a prayer to God to stay with him in death as He did with us in life.
Background:
Henry Francis Lyte, Vicar of Brixham in Devon, had the idea for this hymn when he was in Wexford visiting a dying friend. He later revisited it when he himself was dying from TB and it was first sung at his funeral.
Amazing Grace
Words: John Newton; Tune: American Folk Melody
Why it's a good choice:
Another very suitable hymn for a wedding as the words focus on God’s grace and knowing that He is with us at all times. It is also apt for funerals as the words focus on finding peace in death and knowing that God is with us.
Background:
The text for this hymn was written in 1779 by the English poet and cleric, John Newton, a former slave trader who found faith after a violent storm at sea. It tells of forgiveness and redemption through the mercy of God.
Be Not Afraid
Words: Bob Dufford
Why it's a good choice:
A very effective modern funeral hymn which talks about finding strength and comfort in God through times of difficulty and despair.
Background:
This is one of the most popular modern religious songs from the folk revival. Written in 1972 by Bob Dufford, it has become greatly loved.
Dear Lord And Father Of Mankind
Words: J.G.Whittier; Tune: Sir Hubert Parry
Why it's a good choice:
A beautiful hymn for funerals, suggesting that we pursue peace and selflessness in order to hear the “still, small voice of calm” – the voice of God.
Background:
The text of this hymn is taken from a longer poem, “The Brewing of Soma”, by the American Quaker poet, John Whittier. The poem tells of priests brewing and drinking Soma (a sacred ritual drink) in an attempt to experience divinity. The tune “Repton” was originally taken from an aria in Parry’s oratorio, “Judith” and fits the words perfectly.
Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer
Words: W. Williams; Music: John Hughes
Why it's a good choice:
This hymn is regularly used at baptisms, weddings and funerals; bringing comfort with its wonderful reminder of a God who provides for those in need and to bring us safely to heaven at the end of our lives.
Background:
This hymn was written in 1745 by William Williams. He uses imagery from the book of Exodus to conjure up a theme of God’s guidance through struggle. The tune “Cwm Rhondda” was written by John Hughes in 1905 and is most effective in its use of repeated words for greater emphasis of the text.
How Great Thou Art
Words: Carl Boberg; Tune: Swedish Traditional arr. Stuart K. Hine
Why it's a good choice:
This hymn is popular at funerals as the words help to put things into perspective during a difficult time.
Background:
It’s thought the inspiration for this hymn came from a walk home from church when the author encountered a violent storm which then subsided into a peaceful calm. It was translated by the English missionary, Stuart Hine, who added two verses of his own and it was made popular during the Billy Graham crusades.
I Watch The Sunrise
Words: John Glynn Music: Colin Murphy
Why it's a good choice:
This works well for a funeral as it speaks of reflection, peace and faith.
Background:
A folk-style hymn, “I Watch the Sunrise” was written in 1970 by the Roman Catholic priest and poet, John Glynn. The song is set to an un-named tune by Glynn’s friend, Colin Murphy. It has been recorded by various artists.
It Is Well With My Soul
Words and Music: Horatio Gates Spafford
Why it's a good choice:
This hymn expresses faith in God and peace with loss and so is very suitable indeed for a funeral.
Background:
This hymn has a deeply moving background and no doubt its roots have aided its popularity. It was written by New York lawyer Horatio Spafford whose family experienced much tragedy in their lives. In 1873 the family decided to visit England. Horatio was delayed due to business so his wife and four daughters went on ahead. On 22nd November 1873, while crossing the Atlantic on the steamship, Ville du Havre, their vessel was struck by an iron sailing ship. All four of Horatio Spafford’s daughters died, but remarkably his wife Anna Spafford survived the tragedy. During his subsequent voyage over to England, Horatio was inspired to write this moving hymn and it is remarkable that as he dealt with his grief his faith never faltered.
Jerusalem
Words: William Blake; Tune: Sir Hubert Parry
Why it's a good choice:
This is a very popular choice for a wedding or a funeral with its stirring and patriotic tune.
Background:
One of our most patriotic hymns, known especially from the Last Night of the Proms. The hymn has caused much controversy with its different interpretations. In the most common, Blake implies that a visit by Jesus would create heaven, in contrast to the “dark Satanic Mills”. The tune was famously orchestrated by Sir Edward Elgar.
Lead Kindly Light
Words: John Henry Newman; Music: C.H.Purday
Why it's a good choice:
This is a very uplifting and comforting hymn that tells of finding peace in the afterlife.
Background:
This hymn was written by the English writer, Jan Struther and first published in Songs of Praise in 1931. It has become particularly popular as a hymn to be used at both wedding and funeral services, asking God to be with us throughout the day.
Lord Of All Hopefulness
Words: Jan Struther; Tune: Irish Traditional
Why it's a good choice:
The words of this hymn are perfectly suited for a baptism, wedding or funeral as it asks for God’s presence with us at all times.
Background:
This hymn was written by the English writer, Jan Struther and first published in Songs of Praise in 1931. It has become particularly popular as a hymn to be used at both wedding and funeral services, asking God to be with us throughout the day.
Lord Of The Dance
Words: Sydney Carter; Tune: Shaker Tune arr. Sydney Carter
Why it's a good choice:
This hymn can be very suitable at a wedding as it portrays our Christian lives as a dance, with Jesus as the leader. This hymn can also be very suitable at a funeral as the words tell of Christ’s death and resurrection.
Background:
This ever popular hymn was written in 1963 by Sydney Carter, who also arranged the American Shaker tune, “Simple Gifts”, that it is sung to. The hymn tells the gospel story in the first person voice of Jesus, portraying his life and mission as a dance.
Love Divine All Loves Excelling
Words: Charles Wesley; Tunes: Love Divine – John Stainer; Blaenwern – William Rowlands
Why it's a good choice:
A perfect hymn for a wedding, telling us that we are able to love one another because Christ first loved us. It can also be very suitable for use at a funeral as the words speak of finding salvation and trusting in God.
Background:
This is one of Charles Wesley’s finest and most widely sung hymns. It first appeared in 1747 and is based on a theme of Christian perfection. Various lines have been slightly altered over the years as some have found the theme difficult to accept in its purest form. The hymn has been paired with different tunes, but today it is most commonly sung, either in four line stanzas, to John Stainer’s tune,”Love Divine” or to the glorious eight line Welsh tune, “Blaenwern”.
Make Me A Channel Of Your Peace
Words: St Francis of Assisi, adapted by Sebastian Temple; Music: Sebastian Temple
Why it's a good choice:
This lovely paraphrase of the prayer of St Francis offers hope, peace and God’s love.
Background:
This lovely and most widely known Christian prayer for peace, with its broadly inclusive language, has been very frequently set to music. The most well-known hymn version is this one, written in 1967 by the South African songwriter, Sebastian Temple. It has become an anthem for the Royal British Legion and is regularly sung on State and National occasions.
Morning Has Broken
Words: Eleanor Farjeon; Tune: Scottish Gaelic Traditional
Why it's a good choice:
This hymn is particularly apt for a baptism service, with its child-like uplifting and hopeful words. It can also be appropriate for a funeral service.
Background:
This hymn originally appeared in the 1931 publication of Songs of Praise. It was written by the English poet and children’s author, Eleanor Farjeon, and set to the traditional Scottish Gaelic tune, “Bunessan”. It was made particularly popular by a recording of it, sung by Cat Stevens, that made no.1 in the charts. It is a particular favourite of children.
O God Our Help In Ages Past
Words: Isaac Watts; Tune: William Croft
Why it's a good choice:
A most suitable hymn for funerals, the words tell of the shortness of life set against the timeless greatness of God.
Background:
This well-known hymn by Isaac Watts paraphrases Psalm 90, telling how our God is everlasting and will be our help through all of our years. The tune, “St Anne’ is attributed to the composer, William Croft, and may have been written around the early 19th century when he was organist of St Anne’s Church in Soho. The hymn is very often used on National and State occasions – particularly at Remembrance time.
The Day Thou Gavest Lord Has Ended
Words: J. Ellerton; Tune: C.C. Scholefield
Why it's a good choice:
One of the most popular funeral hymns, the text tells of God’s eternal love and life after death.
Background:
Written in 1870 by a Cheshire vicar, John Ellerton, The Day Thou Gavest has become one of England’s favourite hymns. The theme of the hymn is the worldwide fellowship of the Christian church and its unceasing offering of prayer and praise to God. The tune “St Clement” was published in Sir Arthur Sullivan’s hymnal, Church Hymns with Tunes. Although credited to Rev. Clement Scholefield, it is believed that Sullivan may have taken more than an editorial role.
The Lord’s My Shepherd
Words: Psalm 23; Tune: Jessie Irvine
Why it's a good choice:
This paraphrase of Psalm 23 is ideally used for baptisms with its very apt words. Perfect for a wedding as well, as Psalm 23 is set as part of the wedding service. And finally, the hymn works extremely well at a funeral with its comforting words telling us good is always with us.
Background:
Perhaps the most famous and widely used of all the paraphrases of Psalm 23, this hymn, known as Crimond, is constantly being used at both weddings and funerals and tells of God being with us wherever we are. The tune “Crimond” was written by Jessie Seymour Irvine who was the daughter of a minister who served for a time in the town named Crimond.
