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Text Identifier:"^it_is_a_thing_most_wonderful$"

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It Is A Thing Most Wonderful

Author: William Walsham How Meter: 8.8.8.8 Appears in 58 hymnals

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GIDEON

Appears in 170 hymnals Composer and/or Arranger: Thomas B. Southgate, 1814-68 Tune Key: A Flat Major Incipit: 53332 67121 14321 Used With Text: It Is A Thing Most Wonderful
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HERONGATE

Meter: 8.8.8.8 Appears in 45 hymnals Composer and/or Arranger: R. V. W. Tune Sources: Essex folk song Tune Key: E Flat Major Incipit: 55165 53215 11356 Used With Text: It is a thing most wonderful
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MISSIONARY CHANT

Appears in 478 hymnals Incipit: 33331 22771 11132 Used With Text: It is a thing most wonderful

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It Is a Thing Most Wonderful

Author: William Walsham How Hymnal: Hymns to the Living God #161 (2017) Meter: 8.8.8.8 Lyrics: 1 It is a thing most wonderful, almost too wonderful to be, that God's own Son should come from heav'n, and die to save a child like me. 2 And yet I know that it is true: He chose a poor and humble lot, and wept and toiled and mourned and died for love of those who loved Him not. 3 I cannot tell how He could love a child so weak and full of sin; His love must be most wonderful if He could die my love to win. 4 I sometimes think about the cross, and shut my eyes, and try to see the cruel nails and crown of thorns, and Jesus crucified for me. 5 But even could I see Him die, I could but see a little part of that great love which, like a fire, is always burning in His heart. 6 It is most wonderful to know His love for me so free and sure; but 'tis more wonderful to see my love for Him so faint and poor. 7 And yet I want to love Thee, Lord; O light the flame within my heart, and I will love Thee more and more, until I see Thee as Thou art. Topics: Jesus Christ Suffering and Death Languages: English Tune Title: HERONGATE
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It Is A Thing Most Wonderful

Author: William Walsham How, 1823-97 Hymnal: Revival Hymns and Choruses #187 (1970) Lyrics: 1 It is a thing most wonderful, Almost too wonderful to be, That God’s own Son should come from heav’n, And die to save a child like me. 2 And yet I know that it is true: He came to this poor world below, And wept and toiled and mourned and died, Only because He loved us so. 3 I cannot tell how He could love A child so weak and full of sin; His love must be most wonderful, If He could die my love to win. 4 I sometimes think about His cross, And shut my eyes, and try to see The cruel nails, and crown of thorns, And Jesus crucified for me. 5 But even could I see Him die, I could but see a little part Of that great love, which, like a fire, Is always burning in His heart. 6 It is most wonderful to know His love for me so free and sure; But ’tis more wonderful to see My love for Him so faint and poor. 7 And yet I want to love Thee, Lord: O light the flame within my heart, And I will love Thee more and more Until I see Thee as Thou art! Topics: Love Of God; Passion and Cross Languages: English Tune Title: GIDEON
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It Is a Thing Most Wonderful

Author: William Walsham How Hymnal: Psalms and Hymns to the Living God #277 (2023) Meter: 8.8.8.8 Lyrics: 1 It is a thing most wonderful, almost too wonderful to be, that God's own Son should come from heav'n, and die to save a child like me. 2 And yet I know that it is true: He chose a poor and humble lot, and wept and toiled and mourned and died for love of those who loved Him not. 3 I cannot tell how He could love a child so weak and full of sin; His love must be most wonderful if He could die my love to win. 4 I sometimes think about the cross, and shut my eyes, and try to see the cruel nails and crown of thorns, and Jesus crucified for me. 5 But even could I see Him die, I could but see a little part of that great love which, like a fire, is always burning in His heart. 6 It is most wonderful to know His love for me so free and sure; but 'tis more wonderful to see my love for Him so faint and poor. 7 And yet I want to love Thee, Lord; O light the flame within my heart, and I will love Thee more and more, until I see Thee as Thou art. Topics: Jesus Christ Suffering and Death Languages: English Tune Title: HERONGATE

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William Walsham How

1823 - 1897 Person Name: William W. How, 1823-97 Author of "It Is a Thing Most Wonderful" in The Children's Hymnbook William W. How (b. Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England, 1823; d. Leenane, County Mayo, Ireland, 1897) studied at Wadham College, Oxford, and Durham University and was ordained in the Church of England in 1847. He served various congregations and became Suffragan Bishop in east London in 1879 and Bishop of Wakefield in 1888. Called both the "poor man's bishop" and "the children's bishop," How was known for his work among the destitute in the London slums and among the factory workers in west Yorkshire. He wrote a number of theological works about controversies surrounding the Oxford Movement and attempted to reconcile biblical creation with the theory of evolution. He was joint editor of Psalms and Hymns (1854) and Church Hymns (1871). While rector in Whittington, How wrote some sixty hymns, including many for chil­dren. His collected Poems and Hymns were published in 1886. Bert Polman =============== How, William Walsham, D.D., son of William Wybergh How, Solicitor, Shrewsbury, was born Dec. 13, 1823, at Shrewsbury, and educated at Shrewsbury School and Wadham College, Oxford (B.A. 1845). Taking Holy Orders in 1846, he became successively Curate of St. George's, Kidderminster, 1846; and of Holy Cross, Shrewsbury, 1848. In 1851 he was preferred to the Rectory of Whittington, Diocese of St. Asaph, becoming Rural Dean in 1853, and Hon. Canon of the Cathedral in 1860. In 1879 he was appointed Rector of St. Andrew's Undershaft, London, and was consecrated Suffragan Bishop for East London, under the title of the Bishop of Bedford, and in 1888 Bishop of Wakefield. Bishop How is the author of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge Commentary on the Four Gospels; Plain Words , Four Series; Plain Words for Children; Pastor in Parochia; Lectures on Pastoral Work; Three All Saints Summers, and Other Poems , and numerous Sermons , &c. In 1854 was published Psalms and Hymns, Compiled by the Rev. Thomas Baker Morrell, M.A., . . . and the Rev. William Walsham How, M.A. This was republished in an enlarged form in 1864, and to it was added a Supplement in 1867. To this collection Bishop How contributed several hymns, and also to the S. P. C. K. Church Hymns , of which he was joint editor, in 1871. The Bishop's hymns in common use amount in all to nearly sixty. Combining pure rhythm with great directness and simplicity, Bishop How's compositions arrest attention more through a comprehensive grasp of the subject and the unexpected light thrown upon and warmth infused into facia and details usually shunned by the poet, than through glowing imagery and impassioned rhetoric. He has painted lovely images woven with tender thoughts, but these are few, and found in his least appreciated work. Those compositions which have laid the firmest hold upon the Church, are simple, unadorned, but enthusiastically practical hymns, the most popular of which, "O Jesu, Thou art standing"; "For all the Saints who from their labours rest," and "We give Thee but Thine own," have attained to a foremost rank. His adaptations from other writers as in the case from Bishop Ken, "Behold, the Master passeth by," are good, and his Children's hymns are useful and popular. Without any claims to rank as a poet, in the sense in which Cowper and Montgomery were poets, he has sung us songs which will probably outlive all his other literary works. The more important of Bishop How's hymns, including those already named, and "Lord, Thy children guide and keep"; "O Word of God Incarnate"; "This day at Thy creating word"; "Who is this so weak and helpless"; and others which have some special history or feature of interest, are annotated under their respective first lines. The following are also in common use:— i. From Psalms & Hymns, 1854. 1. Before Thine awful presence, Lord. Confirmation. 2. Jesus, Name of wondrous love [priceless worth]. Circumcision. The Name Jesus . 3. Lord Jesus, when we stand afar. Passiontide. 4. O blessing rich, for sons of men. Members of Christ. 5. 0 Lord of Hosts, the earth is Thine. In time of War. 6. O Lord, Who in Thy wondrous love. Advent. ii. From Psalms & Hymns, enlarged, 1864. 7. Lord, this day Thy children meet. Sunday School Anniversary. iii. From Supplement to the Psalms & Hymns, 1867. 8. Hope of hopes and joy of joys. Resurrection. 9. 0 daughters blest of Galilee. For Associations of Women. 10. O happy feet that tread. Public Worship. 11. With trembling awe the chosen three. Transfiguration. iv. From Parish Magazine, 1871, and Church Hymns, 1871. 12. O Jesu, crucified for man. Friday. 13. Yesterday, with worship blest. Monday. v. From the S. P. C. K. Church Hymns. 1871. 14. Bowed low in supplication. For the Parish. 15. Great Gabriel sped on wings of light. Annunciation, of the Blessed Virgin Mary. 16. O blest was he, whose earlier skill. St. Luke. 17. O God, enshrined in dazzling light. Omnipresence. Divine Worship . 18. O heavenly Fount of Light and Love. Witsuntide. 19. O Lord, it is a blessed thing. Weekdays. 20. 0 One with God the Father. Epiphany. 21. O Thou through suffering perfect made. Hospitals. 22. Rejoice, ye sons of men. Purification of the B. V. M. 23. Summer suns are glowing. Summer. 24. The year is swiftly waning. Autumn. 25. Thou art the Christ, O Lord. St. Peter. 26. To Thee our God we fly. National Hymn. 27. Upon the holy Mount they stood. Transfiguration and Church Guilds. 28. We praise Thy grace, 0 Saviour. St. Mark. vi. From the S. P. C. K. Children's Hymns, 1872. 29. Behold a little child. Jesus the Child's Example. 30. Come, praise your Lord and Saviour. Children's Praises. 31. It is a thing most wonderful. Sunday School Anniversary. 32. On wings of living light. Easter. Bishop How's hymns and sacred and secular pieces were collected and published as Poems and Hymns, 1886. The Hymns, 54 in all, are also published separately. He d. Aug. 10, 1897. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) =================== How, W. W., p. 540, i. He died Aug. 10, 1897. His Memoir, by F. D. How, was published in 1898. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)

Michael Praetorius

1571 - 1621 Person Name: M. Praetorius, 1571-1621 Composer of "PUER NOBIS NASCITUR" in Songs of Praise Born into a staunchly Lutheran family, Michael Praetorius (b. Creuzburg, Germany, February 15, 1571; d. Wolfenbüttel, Germany, February 15, 1621) was educated at the University of Frankfort-an-der-Oder. In 1595 he began a long association with Duke Heinrich Julius of Brunswick, when he was appoint­ed court organist and later music director and secretary. The duke resided in Wolfenbüttel, and Praetorius spent much of his time at the court there, eventually establishing his own residence in Wolfenbüttel as well. When the duke died, Praetorius officially retained his position, but he spent long periods of time engaged in various musical appointments in Dresden, Magdeburg, and Halle. Praetorius produced a prodigious amount of music and music theory. His church music consists of over one thousand titles, including the sixteen-volume Musae Sionae (1605-1612), which contains Lutheran hymns in settings ranging from two voices to multiple choirs. His Syntagma Musicum (1614-1619) is a veritable encyclopedia of music and includes valuable information about the musical instruments of his time. Bert Polman

Ralph Vaughan Williams

1872 - 1958 Person Name: R. Vaughan Williams, 1872 - 1958 Arranger of "HERONGATE" in The Book of Praise Through his composing, conducting, collecting, editing, and teaching, Ralph Vaughan Williams (b. Down Ampney, Gloucestershire, England, October 12, 1872; d. Westminster, London, England, August 26, 1958) became the chief figure in the realm of English music and church music in the first half of the twentieth century. His education included instruction at the Royal College of Music in London and Trinity College, Cambridge, as well as additional studies in Berlin and Paris. During World War I he served in the army medical corps in France. Vaughan Williams taught music at the Royal College of Music (1920-1940), conducted the Bach Choir in London (1920-1927), and directed the Leith Hill Music Festival in Dorking (1905-1953). A major influence in his life was the English folk song. A knowledgeable collector of folk songs, he was also a member of the Folksong Society and a supporter of the English Folk Dance Society. Vaughan Williams wrote various articles and books, including National Music (1935), and composed numerous arrange­ments of folk songs; many of his compositions show the impact of folk rhythms and melodic modes. His original compositions cover nearly all musical genres, from orchestral symphonies and concertos to choral works, from songs to operas, and from chamber music to music for films. Vaughan Williams's church music includes anthems; choral-orchestral works, such as Magnificat (1932), Dona Nobis Pacem (1936), and Hodie (1953); and hymn tune settings for organ. But most important to the history of hymnody, he was music editor of the most influential British hymnal at the beginning of the twentieth century, The English Hymnal (1906), and coeditor (with Martin Shaw) of Songs of Praise (1925, 1931) and the Oxford Book of Carols (1928). Bert Polman