Hymn

Away in a Manger is a beloved Christmas that has been sung by people of all ages for a long time.  I have memories (dim though they are) of singing this song in Sunday school Christmas programs at church.  I also wrote a post about Away in a Manger on my previous blog.

Lyrics to Away in a Manger

Author and History

Martin Luther is purported to be the author, yet many think this song is completely of American origin.  It’s one of those songs for children that has been adapted/changed over the years.  The reason so many think that Luther is the author is due to the existence of his cradle song.  But Luther isn’t the author since he never claimed it and the earliest copies were created after his death.  Discipleship Ministries spells out the history of this American-made cradle song.  The earliest version found is from 1934. 

Two main tunes, those I’ve sung at least three different tunes are Kirkpatrick and Murray.   I tried to pick two different versions for you to enjoy, and perhaps sing along with.  🙂 

Ponderings

The truths of scripture can be found with this cradle song.  In a manger, no bed, and the stars were probably visible from where he was born. 

Heartfelt sentiment and hope are found. Love for the Lord Jesus, Jesus looking down from the sky, staying with us, and God to whom we pray.

Questionable theology: No crying he makes.  It could be the Jesus was the best baby ever, but is crying a bad thing?  Isn’t it a human response to need? Is the “no crying he makes” the wanting to look past Jesus as a human baby and only seeing his God-hood? 

I dunno.  It’s good though to think about the words we sing don’t you find?

I originally wrote about this Christmas song Go Tell it on the Mountain back in 2015 on my weebly blog.  I figured it was about time for me to write about it again.  It’s a lively song, quite different than many of the traditional Christmas carols that we sing. 

Lyrics

Refrain

Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watching
O’er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light.

Refrain

The shepherds feared and trembled,
When lo! above the earth,
Rang out the angel chorus
That hailed the Savior’s birth.

Refrain

Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessèd Christmas morn.

Refrain

Author and History

There is some discussion about who actually created this piece.  Some scholars think John Wesley Work, Jr. wrote “Go Tell It On The Mountain.” Work was the first African-American collector of Negro spirituals.  He was also a composer and scholar.  It is thought he either composed it in 1907.

While other scholars think that slaves had been singing this American folk carol since at least the 1860’s.  If that is the case Work could not have composed it since he was born after that.  

This upbeat hymn didn’t become popular until the mid-20th century after the advent of jazz, blues and early rock. 

Discipleship Ministries has posted the original lyrics. 

Ponderings

One of the things I found fascinating about this hymn is how the words have changed over the years.  From the original spiritual with the slave overtones, to the common verses we sing today.  I’ve sung this hymn most often with the verses written above but occasionally with these verses added: 

When I was a seeker
I sought both night and day.
I ask the Lord to help me,
An’ He showed me the way.

He made me a watchman
Upon the city wall, 
An’ if I am a Christian
I am the least of all.

These two verses are well worth singing as well don’t you think?

As I consider these last two verses I”m struck by the thought of how we can’t do anything unless God shows us the way first.  We can’t tell what we don’t know.  We can’t do a job we haven’t been given.  God is the one who sent his son, to give us a message, and then a job.  Go, Tell.  The nations, everyone around us, he did that.  His job, his mission, for us to carry out.

Are you doing the job he’s given you?

I originally posted about this song on my previous blog.  I’m gradually moving things over here and rewriting thoughts a bit. Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine is a wonderful song that speaks well to the hope that is within us.  This hope that the first week of Advent speaks to. We have a hope that is also a surety.  Let’s learn more shall we?

Lyrics

Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Refrain

This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Refrain

Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Refrain

Author and History

This is noted by some as Fanny Crosby’s most popular song.  She has some 8000 hymn texts to her name. Fanny started writing hymns as a young child.  She was made blind by an eye infection and poor medical treatment as a six week old baby.  This did not stop her from growing up to be a happy child.  She attended the New York Institution for the Blind where she was encouraged in her poetic endeavors.  She wrote many poems and her first published work was The Blind Girl and Other Poems.  Britannica has written a nice piece about this prolific author. 

According to Wikipedia, Ms. Crosby was visiting her friend Phoebe Knapp as they there having a pipe organ installed. The organ wasn’t finished yet so Ms. Knapp played a melody she had just completed.  When she finished she asked Fanny “What do you think the tune says”?  Crosby replied “blessed assurance, Jesus is mine”. 

Hymntime mentioned an interesting story about men during the war and this song Blessed Assurance.    She also wrote Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross.

Ponderings

Is it your story?   To have that assurance of salvation and to be able to look forward to Christ’s return?  Oh, to be able to have that assurance of saying Jesus is mine.  Can you think of anything better than knowing Jesus’ mercy applied to yourself? 

What really sticks out though are these words

Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

Hope is such a wonderful thing isn’t it? 

I originally studied Rock of Ages on my previous blog. This is one of the first songs that my lad actually learned fairly well. It is a perennial favourite at our annual extended family gatherings.  Along with singing this hymn since my childhood, I think it will forever hold a special place in my heart.  If you don’t know it, I hope you will learn it!  🙂 

Lyrics to Rock of Ages

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee;
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Cleanse me from it’s guilt and power

Not the labors of my hands
Can fulfill Thy law’s demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress;
Helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly;
Wash me, Saviour, or I die.

While I draw this fleeting breath,
When mine eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
See Thee on Thy judgement throne,
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee

History and Author

Toplady grew up without his father, a British Major named Richard Toplady who died shortly after he was born.  Over time his mom moved to Ireland.  In Ireland, Augustus M. Toplady became a believer.  A smart man, he became a reverend in the Church of England. 

At some point he became a Calvinist, in which he became well-versed.  He wasn’t a strong man and died in his 38th year. 

I learned this on Wikipedia: 

Traditionally, it is held that Toplady drew his inspiration from an incident in the gorge of Burrington Combe in the Mendip Hills in England. Toplady, a preacher in the nearby village of Blagdon, was travelling along the gorge when he was caught in a storm. Finding shelter in a gap in the gorge, he was struck by the title and scribbled down the initial lyrics

Ponderings

Rock of Ages, cleft for me… Let me hide myself in thee…

Cleft – the past tense of cleave.  Which is to split or sever.

This song calls for God to split himself in two in order to provide a hiding place.   Can you imagine that?  The assurance that Augustus M. Toplady had that God would be a place to shelter in. 

Ps 27:3 

For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle;
In the secret place of His tent He will hide me;
He will lift me up on a rock.

Do you see God as your place of shelter?

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;

Psalm 18:6

In my distress I called upon the Lord,
And cried to my God for help;
He heard my voice out of His temple,
And my cry for help before Him came into His ears.

Do you see your helplessness before God and your intense need for him? How when, in faith, we call out to him and he answers?  Do you see him in action?   Does this hymn help you remember God in action?

If you don’t know the Rock of Ages, message me, I’ll happily talk with you.  🙂