  Written by Charles Wesley in 1744, this hymn first appeared in the 1745 “Hymns for the Nativity of Our Lord”. Listen for the story behind the song. . Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus Text: Charles Wesley, 1707-1788 Music: Rowland H. Pritchard   Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from […]Read More...

Lifespring! HymnStories

HS56: Lifespring! HymnStories “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”

This is a show dedicated to renewing love for the great hymns of the Christian faith. In this episode I tell the story behind the hymn “Jesus Shall Reign”, which was written in 1719 by Isaac Watts, with the music being written by John Hatton. The version of the song played in this episode is […]Read More...

HS55: Lifespring! HymnStories “Jesus Shall Reign”

Carl Boberg, a 26-year-old Swedish minister, wrote a poem in 1885 which he called “O Store Gud” (“O Mighty God”). The words, literally translated to English, said: When I the world consider Which Thou has made by Thine almighty Word And how the web of life Thou wisdom guideth And all creation feedeth at Thy […]Read More...

HS54: Lifespring! HymnStories “How Great Thou Art”

Take Two Revisiting the story behind “Jesus Loves Me”, perhaps the best known children’s hymn of all time. The reason we’re doing this is that, when I did it in HymnStories #2, I didn’t have a version of the music with the lyrics that was cleared for play in a podcast. Now that more music […]Read More...

HS53: Lifespring! HymnStories “Jesus Loves Me – Revisited”

Away In A Manger Was written in 1887, and is commonly known as “Luther’s Cradle Hymn.” But did the great German Reformer, Martin Luther, really write the words? Did he sing them by the cradle of his little son, Hans? Listen to the show for a possible answer. This hymn is beautifully performed by David […]Read More...

HS52: Lifespring! HymnStories “Away In A Manger”

Bouncing back- that’s a quality to be cultivated, because life is full of struggles. How do we become resilient? Unsinkable? Joyful amid the blows and burdens of life? This hymn tells us: A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord, He taketh my burden away; He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved, He […]Read More...

HS51: Lifespring! HymnStories “He Hideth My Soul”

Jesus, I Come 1887 One of the best histories of the gospel song era is George Stebbins’ autobiography, Reminiscences and Gospel Hymn Stories. Stebbins was born in ht e mid-1880s in New York and showed early musical prowess. At age twenty-three, he moved to Chicago where he worked in churches and became acquainted with some of the […]Read More...

HS50: Lifespring! HymnStories “Jesus, I Come”

Jesus must have been a bird watcher, because we see Him refer to birds many times in scripture. Listen to the show for the story of how this encouraging hymn was inspired. Our hymn is performed beautifully by Natalie Nicole Gilbert. His Eye Is On The Sparrow Lyrics: Civilla D. Martin Music: Charles H. Gabriel […]Read More...

HS49: Lifespring! HymnStories “His Eye Is On The Sparrow”

Dottie Rambo went to be with the Lord on May 11, 2008. This episode of Lifespring! HymnStories is dedicated to the memory of one of this generation’s most prolific writers of Christian music.Read More...

HS48: Lifespring! HymnStories “A Tribute To Dottie Rambo”

Written during the darkest hour of the American Civil War, this hymn is based on the twenty-third Psalm. Listen to the show for the author’s own account of its writing. Music on the show: The London Fox Singers “He Leadeth Me” (mp3) from “Hymn styles – Praise Ensemble” (Classic Fox Records) Buy at Napster More […]Read More...

HS47: Lifespring! HymnStories “He Leadeth Me”

The stories behind the great Chistian hymns.

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HS56: Lifespring! HymnStories “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesu...

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