Speak Gently

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Speak gently, it is better far

Author: G. W. Hangford
Published in 121 hymnals

Representative Text

1 Speak gently; it is better far
To rule by love than fear;
Speak gently: let no harsh word mar
The good we may do here.

2 Speak gently to the little child:
Its love be sure to gain;
Teach it in accents soft and mild;
It may not long remain.

Source: International Song Service: with Bright Gems from fifty authors, for Sunday-schools, gospel meetings, missionary and young people's societies, prayer-meetings, etc. #218

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Author: G. W. Hangford

19th Century We have little data on Hangford, except that he once held a position in India, and died between 1847 & 1867. Presumably he was British; his only known hymn was published in the London Magazine in 1848. --www.hymntime.com/tch/ Go to person page >

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First Line:	Speak gently, it is better far
Title:	Speak Gently
Author:	G. W. Hangford
Language:	English
Copyright:	Public Domain

2 Timothy 2:24
(hymns)

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Notes

Speak gently; it is better far. [Gentleness.] Usually attributed to George Washington Hangford, and dated 1847. In Sharpe's London Magazine, Feb. 1848.

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)

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Tune

SAWLEY (Walch)

This tune was composed by James Walch in 1857 for a children's anniversary, and was published in 1860 with other tunes for private circulation. It was wrongly assigned, in the early editions of [The Free Church Hymnal, 1888] to the Rev. F. Pigou. Scottish church music: its sources and composers, 189…

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BALERMA (Barthélemon)

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