Knowing Hymn

This week on Knowing Hymn, we talk about hymn #87, God is Love with text by Thomas R Taylor and music by Thomas C Griggs. Learn about this wonderful hymn full of nature and love. Our hymn this week corresponds with the Come, Follow Me reading in 1, 2, and 3 John. Join us as we discuss finding God’s love in the world around us.  

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This week on Knowing Hymn, we talk about hymn #228, You Can Make the Pathway Bright with text by Helen Silcott Dungan and music by James Dungan. Learn about this husband/wife team that created this hymn of inspiration. Our hymn this week corresponds with the Come, Follow Me reading in 1 and 2 Peter. Join us as we discuss finding joy in the midst of adversity.

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This week on Knowing Hymn, we talk about hymn #26, Joseph Smith’s First Prayer with text by George Manwaring and music by Sylvanus Billings Pond and adapted by A.C. Smyth. Learn about this wonderful hymn that celebrates the beginning of the restoration of the gospel in the latter days. Our hymn this week corresponds with the Come, Follow Me reading in James. Join us as we discuss letting our faith compel us to action.

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This week on Knowing Hymn, we talk about hymn #128, When Faith Endures with text by Naomi W. Randall and music by Stephen M. Jones. Learn how this beautiful hymn of faith was constructed out of the faith of these two faithful saints. Our hymn this week corresponds with the Come, Follow Me reading in Hebrews 7-13. Join us as we discuss great examples of faith throughout the scriptures.

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This week on Knowing Hymn, we talk about hymn #98, I Need Thee Every Hour with text by Annie S. Hawkes and music by Robert Lowry. Hear about the remarkable housewife who wrote over 400 hymn text and brought us these beautiful words of joy and comfort. Our hymn this week corresponds with the Come, Follow Me reading in Hebrews 1-6. Join us as we discuss our gracious, all-knowing, and all-compassionate Savior.

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This week on Knowing Hymn, we talk about hymn #293, Each Life that Touches Ours for Good with text by Karen Lynn Davidson and music by A. Laurence Lyon. Learn about the backstory of this hymn and how it can move us to a greater sense of gratitude and compassion. Our hymn this week corresponds with the Come, Follow Me reading in 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. Join us as we discuss being an example of the believers to all around us.

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This week on Knowing Hymn, we talk about hymn #59, Come, O Thou King of Kings with text by Parley P. Pratt. Learn about this remarkable man of faith and his passionate pleading for the Lord to come again. Our hymn this week corresponds with the Come, Follow Me reading in 1 and 2 Thessalonians. Join us as we discuss the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

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This week, we talk about hymn #142, Sweet Hour of Prayer with text by William W. Walford and music by William Bradbury. Hear how a blind pastor used his remarkable gift to give us these tender words. Our hymn this week corresponds with the Come, Follow Me reading in Philippians and Colossians. Join as we discuss finding joy in whatever situation we find ourselves.

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This week, we talk about hymn #259, Hope of Israel with text by Joseph L. Townsend and music by William Clayson. Hear about the long-standing collaboration between these two artists as they created many of our beloved hymns. Our hymn this week corresponds with the Come, Follow Me reading in Ephesians. Join us as we discuss putting on the Armor of God.

This week, we talk about hymn #304, Teach Me To Walk in the Light with text and music by Clara W. McMaster. Hear about this children’s hymn that teaches us how to return to our Father. Our hymn this week corresponds with the Come, Follow Me reading in Galatians. Join us as we discuss walking in the Spirit and the fruits of doing so.

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This week, we talk about hymn #223, Have I Done Any Good? with text and music by William Thompson. Learn about his journey from composer of popular songs to composers of beloved hymns. Our hymn this week corresponds with the Come, Follow Me reading in 2 Corinthians 8-13. Join us as we discuss the giving service to others with a cheerful spirit.

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This week, we talk about hymn #145, Prayer is the Soul’s Sincere Desire with text by James Montgomery and music by George Careless. Hear about this remarkable hymn that explores all the facets of prayer. Our hymn this week corresponds with the Come, Follow Me reading in 2 Corinthians 1-7. Join us as we discuss forgiveness, repentance, and godly sorrow.

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This week, we talk about hymn #199, He is Risen! with text by Cecil Frances Alexander and music by Joachim Neander. Learn about the devout woman and the lusty young man who brought us this beautiful Easter hymn. Our hymn this week corresponds with the Come, Follow Me reading in Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24 and John 20-21. Join us as we discuss the Resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ.

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This week, we talk about hymn #184, Upon the Cross of Calvary with text by Vilate Schofield Raile and music by Leroy J. Robertson. We talk about the Sacrament and how an amateur poet and a professional composer created a beautiful Sacrament hymn. Our hymn this week corresponds with the Come, Follow Me reading in Matthew 27, Mark 15, Luke 23, and John 19. Join us as we discuss the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the love He has for each of us.

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This week, we talk about hymn #193, I Stand All Amazed with text and music by Charles H. Gabriel. We take a journey into Shape Note singing and the development of this hymn with a deeply personal message. Our hymn this week corresponds with the Come, Follow Me reading in Luke 22 and John 18. Join us as we discuss the greatest act in human history: the atonement of Jesus Christ!

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This week, we talk about hymn #129, Where Can I Turn For Peace? with text by Emma Lou Thayne and music by Joleen G. Meredith. We discuss how these two women drew upon their experience with mental illness to collaborate in writing this hymn. Our hymn this week corresponds with the Come, Follow Me reading in John 14-17. Join us as we learn about the peace that Christ offers us all!

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This week, we talk about hymn #308, Love One Another with text and music by Luacine Clark Fox. We discuss radio dramatizations (and even do a little acting!) and journey back to our mission days to sing the hymn in Spanish and Slovak. Our hymn this week corresponds with the Come, Follow Me reading in Matthew 26, Mark 14, and John 13. Join us as we learn to be disciples of Christ by loving others!

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This week, we talk about hymn #196, Jesus, Once of Humble Birth with text by Parley P. Pratt, and music by Giacomo Meyerbeer. We talk about the journey of this tune from a highly-acclaimed opera to a beloved hymn. Our hymn this week corresponds with the Come, Follow Me reading in Joseph Smith- Matthew, Matthew 24-25, Mark 12-13, and Luke 21. Join us as we take joy in the second coming of Jesus Christ!

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This week, we talk about hymn #66, Rejoice, the Lord is King with text by Charles Wesley, and music by Horatio Parker. We talk about Wesley "methodical" way of living and Parker's disagreement with his composition student. Our hymn this week corresponds with the Come, Follow Me reading in Matthew 21-23, Mark 11, Luke 19-20, and John 12. Join us as we discuss Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem!

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This week, we talk about hymn #96, Dearest Children, God is Near You with text by Charles L. Walker, and music by John M. Macfarlane. We talk about how the "Cotton Country" mission brought these two men together to write this piece and what can happen when you get bored in Sunday School. Our hymn this week corresponds with the Come, Follow Me reading in Matthew 19-20, Mark 10, and Luke 18. Join us in our discussion of humility and becoming like a little child.

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This week, we explore hymn #221, Dear to the Heart of the Shepherd, with text by Mary B Wingate, and music by William J Kirkpatrick. Join us in our discussion about what it means to be a true "under-shepherd". This week, our discussions aligns with the Come, Follow Me reading in Luke 12-17 and John 11. We especially focus on the parables in Luke 15.

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This week, we explore hymn #108, The Lord is My Shepherd, with text by James Montgomery, and music by Thomas Koschat. Hear the text Koschat originally used with this tune (warning: it's sad!) and learn how The Lord is My Shepherd and O Come, All Ye Faithful are connected. This week, we also begin aligning our discussions with the Come, Follow Me program of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This week's hymn corresponds with the reading in John 7-10. We discuss John 10 in connection with Psalm 23 and 3 Nephi 15.

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This week on Knowing Hymn, Angi and Steve discuss hymn #192, He Died, the Great Redeemer Died, with text by Isaac Watts and music by George Careless. Explore the more common text and the many tunes associated with this hymn (and hear Steve attempt to play and sing them!).

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Angi and Steve take a deep dive into our least-sung Easter hymn, #198 That Easter Morn, with lyrics by Marion D. Hanks and music by Richard Cundick. As you learn about these two men and about writing this hymn, you can learn to appreciate this hymn in ways you might not have before. Plus, learn which to current apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were heavily influenced by Elder Hanks.

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Angi and Steve close out the first season of Knowing Hymn by talking about one of the best-beloved gospel hymns of all time (#2 after Amazing Grace according to some charts), hymn #86 How Great Thou Art with words and music adapted from a Swedish folk song by Stuart K. Hine. Hear the fascinating journey from 19th century Sweden through Germany and Russia, a trip to India, then to California before soaring to popularity. 

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Though unfamiliar to many, hymn #37 The Wintry Day, Descending to Its Close is one that you should get to know. This hymn with text by Orson F. Whitney and music by Edward P. Kimball boasts some of the most unique harmonies in the hymnbook (yes, Steve nerds out for a minute). Learn more about the poetry of Orson F. Whitney as well as a new hymn of gratitude set to the same tune. Plus, a quiz for Angi about wintry clothes. 

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This week, join us as we talk about the history and our very personal feelings about the special hymn #301, I Am a Child of God, with text by Naomi Randall and music by Mildred Pettit. You'll learn about these remarkable women and how their song has touched millions of lives. 

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Steve shares his arrangement of Come, Come, Ye Saints which is now being used as the intro and outro for Knowing Hymn. Enjoy!

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Hymn #30 - Come, Come, Ye Saints (also found for men's choir as #326) - with words by William Clayton and based on an English folk song (maybe) is a special hymn beloved by the Mormon Pioneers as they crossed the plains while trekking to the Salt Lake Valley. Learn about the circumstances surrounding Clayton's writing of the text, the lyrics he used as a metric guide, and get a brief lesson about shape note singing. Plus...five fun facts about Catholic Saints!

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As a nice pairing to last week's discussion, Angi leads a discussion about #309, As Siters in Zion, with text by Emily H. Woodmansee and music by Janice Kapp Perry. We learn about Emily's amazing journey across the plains while pulling her sister in a handcart and Janice's journey from sportswoman to world-respected composer. Angi also turns the tables on Steve and gives him a quiz about all things Janice Kapp Perry! 

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This week, Knowing Hymn visits one of Steve's favorites, #319 Ye Elders of Israel with words by Cyrus Wheelock and tune (possibly) by Thomas H. Bayly. Take a quiz about early missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, learn about Wheelock's last visit with Joseph Smith in Carthage Jail, and hear Steve sing a couple of Thomas Bayly hits from the 1840s. 

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Steve shares his arrangement of Ring Out, Wild Bells for SATB a cappella choir. Sheet music can be found at http://sacredsheetmusic.org/song/Ring_Out_Wild_Bells_SATB_by_Steve_Danielson

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Knowing Hymn takes on #215, Ring Out, Wild Bells with words by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and music by Crawford Gates. Learn about the friendships and tragedies that inspired both of these men to write this hymn. Learn about the amazing accomplishments of both Tennyson and Gates - both of them writing very young and having a lasting impact on the world. 

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Join us this week for another classic Christmas hymn (or is it?), Joy to the World with words by Isaac Watts, adapted by W.W. Phelps, and music by G. F. Handel, adapted by Lowell Mason. Hear about how the stars aligned for these four powerhouse creators to come together to bring us this hymn. Whether you are talking about Christ's first or second coming, this hymn should always be on your list!

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This week on Knowing Hymn, Angi leads the discussion about hymn #214, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, with music by John Baptiste Calkin and words by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Before you go see the movie, take a listen to learn about the background of this beloved Christmas hymn. Hear some other texts that have used the same tune, and learn about Steve's connection to Longfellow and the Song of Hiawatha. 

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Ring in the season with the beloved Christmas hymn, #212 Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains - words and music by John M. Macfarlane. Written on a cold winter night in St. George, Utah, this hymn has spread to become a Christmas classic throughout the world. Listen and learn more about how and why this Christmas treasure was written. 

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This week, we tackle a more unfamiliar hymn, #275 Men Are That They Might Have Joy. Pulling inspiration from 2 Nephi in Book of Mormon, this hymn was written by journalist and professor J. Marinus Jensen and composer and organist J.J. Keeler. Learn about the interesting connection between these two and dive into the scriptures that inspired this piece. 

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As we pass through Thanksgiving and head to the holiday season 2022, we are talking about #92 For the Beauty of the Earth. We start with a quick quiz to test Angi's knowledge of the hymn. Then, we take a journey from a hymn in German to a Christmas carol to the version that we all know and love today. We even have a special visit from John Rutter (well...at least from his music). 

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This week on Knowing Hymn, we discuss #97, Lead Kindly Light with text by (Saint!) Cardinal John Henry Newman and music by John Dykes. We talk about the stressful life of John Dykes and how the famous Swedish soprano, Jenny Lind, shaped his career. We talk about how John Henry Newman went from teaching at Oxford to becoming a Catholic Cardinal. And of course, we talk about the text to this beautiful hymn that points toward the everlasting Light that leads us through the storms of life. 

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Steve shares a hymn with lyrics written by John Taylor, 3rd President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The hymn, "O, Give Me Back My Prophet Dear," was written in remembrance of his friends, Joseph and Hyrum Smith, killed in Carthage Jail on June 27, 1844. Steve sings the 4-part setting as found in the 1927 Latter-day Saint Hymnbook. 

This week on Knowing Hymn, we discuss hymn #29, A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief. We, of course, talk about the poet James Montgomery and the composer George Coles, but we also dive into the scriptural backing found in Matthew and the way this hymn features in the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Steve attempts to sing it the way John Taylor sang it in Carthage jail - which is slightly different from how we have it in our current hymnbook! Take a listen!

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This week, Angi and Steve discuss rousing hymn #249, Called to Serve. We not only talk about the poet, Grace Gordon, and the composer, Walter Tyler, (or are those even their real names?!), but we also share several personal experiences surrounding this hymn and what it means to us. Join us to learn about the missing third verse and the mysterious fourth verse. If you have been a missionary, have a child on a mission, or have known a missionary, you need to know Called to Serve! 

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Steve shares his new acquisition, a 1927 hymnbook! Then, Angi and Steve talk about hymn #120, Lean On My Ample Arm with text by Theodore E. Curtis and music by Evan Stephens. Hear all about Evan Stephen's work with the (then) Mormon Tabernacle Choir, including their trip to the World's Fair in Chicago and other milestones. Then Steve shares his rarely-heard arrangement of Lean On My Ample Arm for choir, piano, and 2 violins. 

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This week, Knowing Hymn talks about hymn #3, Now Let Us Rejoice, text by W.W. Phelps, and music by Henry Tucker. Join us as we talk about the amazing signs and wonders that brought about the writing of these wonderful words and the mystery surrounding the music. As a bonus, Steve sings one of Henry Tucker's popular songs, When This Cruel War is Over. 

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This week, Steve and Angi have a lot to say about Hymn 292, O My Father, text by Eliza R. Snow and music by James McGranahan. We discuss the poetry as well as the poet - both highly fascinating! And we discuss the myriad of tunes used before finally settling on the one we use now, and why it's Evan Stephen's fault. Have you ever tried singing familiar words to a separate but just as familiar tune? It's hard than it sounds, but Angi and Steve give it a try!

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Angi and Steve Danielson feel their way through this first episode of Knowing Hymn. They talk this week about one of Angi's favorite hymns, "Because I Have Been Given Much," with words by Grace Noll Crowell and music by Phillip Landgrave. Hear the background and personal experiences about this beloved hymn (and offer some much needed forgiveness for the awkwardness of this first episode!). 

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Get to know the hosts of the new podcast, Knowing Hymn, the show that explores the hymns of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Who are we? Why this podcast now? What can you expect from this podcast? And what do the hymns mean to us? 

Though we are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this podcast is not affiliated with nor endorsed by the Church.