Over the years, I’ve become hesitant to sing “O Holy Night,” a Christmas song widely used as a solo because of its dramatic nature and vocal difficulty. Our common English translation is by John S. Dwight, a rather loose translation (so I understand) of the French Cantique de Noel . Dwight was at various times in his life… Continue Reading
Tag Archives: incarnation hymnody
Incarnation Hymnody: "Angels, from the Realms of Glory"
Continuing our series on incarnation hymnody, we take a look today at “Angels, from the Realms of Glory.” ___________________________ “Angels, from the Realms of Glory” is nearing its bicentennial, having been first published in 1816 by James Montgomery. Hymnals nearly universally include the first four stanzas, but omit the fifth: Angels from the realms of… Continue Reading
Incarnation Hymnody: "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" and "Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus"
Today’s post continues our series on “incarnation hymnody.” Today: the ancient “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” and Charles Wesley’s “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus.” ____________________ “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence” is an ancient song and an interesting example of singing texts with a different understanding than the text’s author intended. Because the hymn is… Continue Reading