Yes, folks, it's snowing. But that will not stop us from praising and worshipping God together with our brothers and sisters today.
Our opening hymn today is "Come, Thou Almighty King." I expected this to be written by Charles Wesley or one of his compatriots, so imagine my surprise when I found out it was by.... UNKNOWN. Hymnary.org says it is probably English before 1760 but the source is unknown. We do know it was part of a hymnal published by George Whitfield in 1757. The new British national anthem "God Save the King" was just becoming popular and this hymn seems to be modeled on that reminding people who the real King of the Universe is. The first stanza speaks of God the Father, the second God the Son and the third God the Holy Spirit. The fourth and final stanza worships the Trinity.
The tune is entitled "Italian Hymn" and was written by Felice de Giardini. He was born in Turin, Italy in 1716 and died in Moscow, Russia in 1796. He was living in London at the time he composed this tune in order to raise money for the Lock Hospital. He studied violin, harpsichord, voice and composition in Milan and Turin. From 1748 to 1750 Giardini conducted a very successful solo violin tour on the continent. He came to London in 1750 and for the next forty years he was a prominent violinist in several orchestras. He also taught and composed operas and instrumental music. In 1784 he traveled to Italy, but when he returned to London in 1790, Giardini was no longer popular. His subsequent trip to Moscow was also a failure and he died there in poverty.
All of this information is taken from hymnary.org, a wonderful site for information on any hymn.
And now here's the hymn.
Have a wonderful Sunday!
Kathy
Philadelphia this morning at 8:00 a.m. -- it's snowing.
A lovely hymn. I just love all the historical info that you give us on these hymns. Thank you. I hope you are feeling much better today. You have a wonderful day, hugs, Edna B.
ReplyDeleteLove the hymn and appreciate the info you shared. Have a wonderful day in the Lord and with your church family.
ReplyDeleteI had NO idea that hymn was that old! It is as beautiful today as the day it was written. I hope you and Joe have a really wonderful, blessed Sunday and that you are both doing well physically. Drop me a line when you have time. xo Diana
ReplyDeleteVery interesting background. Poor Giardini...fame is fleeting, I guess. I admire folks who don’t allow snow to keep them from church. (I am not one of them. Snow keeps me in, especially light snow on ice.)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely hymn you have shared with us today, I have played the video over and over :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you and yours, on the snowy, wintry day in Pennsylvania !
Hugs,
~Jo
Stay warm up there in that cold, snowy land!!
ReplyDeleteWow to your snow! So far not one flake have we seen - or at least I have seen - here in Texas this year!
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy...
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to come and say hello. That is one of my favorite hymns. There are so many beautiful hymns to be heard and kept alive. It seems not many people sing them anymore. We have snow here in the AZ mountains also. Have a blessed week.
Tamara x
Love the hymn! I like that it gives recognition to each of the Trinity then the entire Trinity. Glorious! Hope you & Joe have a great week.
ReplyDeleteHymnary.org... what a great way to learn about some History. Glad you are a Librarian. This is great!
ReplyDeleteStay warm. It's snowing here in Idaho today.