Music for Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

In 1902, the organist of Brick Prebyterian Church in New York City asked a twenty-year-old congregant named Julia Cady whether she would be interested in writing a hymn for use in their service. The resulting text sung today during the procession became one of the well-beloved hymns of the twentieth century, and one of my favourites.

Unlike most hymns, for which the tunes are composed after the poetry, the contrary is true for “We Praise Thee, O God”; the organist assigned Cady a hymn tune beloved to the congregation, Kremser, knowing that the original militaristic lyrics of the appropriated text “We Gather Together” were quickly going out of style. She worked for several weeks before coming back with three stanzas which celebrated the unity of Christian belief, evoking in several instances the generations-long tradition common to all believers.

Besides suiting the music beautifully, the hymn reflects the gratitude often evident in the texts appointed for “hymns of praise.” The beauty of professing this faith – boldly, unapologetically, week after week – is a great blessing we share, in hymnody and in our collective worship.

Abraham Ross

Solemn Mass takes place at St. James’ Anglican Church, Vancouver at 10:30 am every Sunday.