This is "Children of the Heavenly Father," a hymn written in Swedish by Carolina Sandell around 1900. It was translated to English in 1925. The words are sweet and comforting. Carolina, Lina, wrote out of a deep anguish at watching her father drown.
Because I suspect this is not a well-known hymn to many people, I've included the words. Let me also say that although the melody is clear and sweet, this was not easy to play. There are some complex runs of notes, and several chromatic scales which require a lot of coordination to play. Maybe it will comfort someone in these virus-laden times.
Children of the heav'nly Father
Safely in His bosom gather
Nestling bird nor star in Heaven
Such a refuge e'er was given.
God, His own doth tend and nourish
In His holy courts they flourish
From all evil things He spares them
In His mighty arms He bears them
Neither life nor death shall ever
From the Lord, His children sever
Unto them His grace He showeth
And their sorrows all He knoweth
Though He giveth or He taketh
God His children ne'er forsaketh
His, the loving purpose solely
To preserve them, pure and holy
Lo, their very hairs He numbers
And no daily care encumbers
Them that share His ev'ry blessing
And His help in woes distressing
Praise the Lord in joyful numbers
Your Protector never slumbers
At the will of your Defender
Ev'ry foeman must surrender
In other news: After I came home, I goofed off. It was a nasty, cold, rainy, windy day that made me want to nap and snack. That is all.
 | See Swingin' Low |
5 comments:
Thanks for sharing the words. I have never heard this hymn before.
Glad you got some hand bell time in there in spite of the shutdown. I am really struggling with the fact that we will most likely not be attending a Christmas service this year. It is very discouraging.
I have heard that hymn before, but couldn't remember more than the first two lines. Thanks for sharing the beautiful poetry of the words.
Ann, Lin, Chuck- it is a calmly reassuring song- something akin to a lullaby, almost. I'm afraid most of the Christmas concerts here won't happen, although I believe the "big" local one is being put together digitally. That should be fun!
Lulu: "Our Dada says that this song is on an album by one of his favorite singers, somebody named Plumb, and he had no idea it was an actual hymn, let alone that it was over a hundred years old!"
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