Robert Morehead

February 9, 2014

 

5.  Hymn History: When Morning Gilds The Skies

The  composer of this hymn is unknown, however we do know that its text was included in the Catholisches Gesangbuch  (Catholic Hymnal) of the Roman Catholic church in Germany in the early 19^th century. This hymnal originated in Würzburg, Germany.  The video I attached for you above is of the area around this lovely city in the tip of Bavaria.
Logically, it would make sense that the river, hills, and streams of Würzburg would inspire a poet to construct a hymn that praises God of his natural wonders.
However, this hymn celebrates more than natural wonders. Richard Neill Donovan states that it “calls us to praise God whether we are at work or at prayer-whether in the night or the day-even when faced with the powers of darkness, which lose their power when subjected to praise to God. It calls us to praise God “thro’ all the ages long.”
If you haven’t watched the video yet-here is another one (Only 14 seconds) that gives you a glimpse of this location.



Maybe, this is why the hymn was originally 28 stanzas!  Please rest assured.  On Sunday we will sing only four verses for our Hymn of Dedication -                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  -‘til Sunday-Robert Morehead



Other music selections:
 
Gathering Music:  An Wasserflüssen Babylon ( Rinck)
                                   Jesu, meine Freude (Rinck)
Introit: I Sing The Mighty Power of God
Hymn of Praise: Awake My Soul, And With The Sun (#456)
Act Of Praise: Doxology
Children’s Song: This Is Where Children Belong
Hymn of Response: Bring Forth The Kingdom
Postlude: Improvisation VII, Op. 150 No. 7 ( Camille Saint-Saëns)
           
Sunday’s musicians:
1 BREATHE! Bells
2 Sanctuary Choir