For All the Saints
Words: William Walsham How (b. Dec. 13, 1823; d. Aug. 10, 1897)
Music: Sine Nomine, by Ralph Vaughan Williams (b. Oct. 12, 1872; d. Aug. 26, 1958)
Note: Called simply “Saints’ Day Hymn” originally, Dr. How’s song (considered the finest of the fifty he wrote) was first published in 1864 with eleven stanzas. Hymnals today that don’t include them all, select various stanzas. One book I pulled from the shelf uses (1), (2), (6), (8), (9), (10) and (11); another uses (1), (2), (6), (7), (8) and (11).
Williams’ tune is called Sine Nomine (without a name), and it’s been suggested that this beautifully recognizes the many saints of God who have also served Him well, without the public recognition of those whose names we know. The tune is wonderfully suited to a large congregation accompanied by a majestic pipe organ, but here’s an a capella version by a smaller group that is effective too.
(Stanza numbers in brackets below refer to the stanza number in The Cyber Hymnal. Find the link at the bottom of the article.)
Though most Protestant churches don’t celebrate All Saints’ Day (on or near November 1st), we can surely use this joyful hymn. It parades before our mind’s eye a great host of faithful servants of God, like the “cloud of witnesses” spoken of in Hebrews 12:1. There are apostles (3), evangelists (4), martyrs (5), and stalwart soldiers of the cross (7), following in the glorious procession of the triumphant King of glory, summoned to a heavenly rest from their earthly labours at last (Rev. 14:13).
(1) For all the saints, who from their labours rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
If Hebrews 12:1 provided the inspiration, there is also much from the book of Revelation that is implied or alluded to in How’s words. We hear echoes of a final great battle, and the triumph of the Lord of hosts (cf. Rev. 19:11-21; and see II Tim. 2:3-4; 4:7).
(7) O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
(8) And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
With further allusions to the book of Revelation, we see the victorious saints “in bright array” (Rev. 4:4; 19:7-8), entering the heavenly city with songs of praise (Rev. 21:23-26).
(10) But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
(11) From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
And singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Liturgical churches have regularly celebrated the contribution made by many of God’s servants down through the centuries–even giving some their special days. Non-liturgical churches, perhaps fearful of the charge of idolatry, have largely ignored this heritage. But surely there is an appropriate balance, a middle ground.
Our congregations need to be aware of: great reformers, martyrs, missionaries and evangelists, notable pastors and preachers, pioneers in the Sunday School, and the Bible college movement, pioneers in the use of the media, and (appropriate to this blog) our great hymn writers.
Though many have served the Lord and been engaged in the conflict, down the years, it is with the gifts and opportunities the Lord has given, and it’s God who deserves the glory for what was accomplished, and for their final victory. “Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blessed” (1).
(2) Thou wast their rock, their fortress and their might;
Thou, Lord, their captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
Questions:
- Does your church celebrate the lives and accomplishments of saints that God has used in wonderful ways over the years? (If not, why not?)
- What are some practical ways this can be done, while bringing due glory to God for the fruit of their labours?
Links:
- 26 August 1958 – Ralph Williams Died
- For All the Saints (The Cyber Hymnal)
1 March 2013 @ 8:03 pm
I may have to alter my position on singing ALL the verses of a song now. Eleven is just a bit more than a congregation would sing. Maybe at home.
1 March 2013 @ 11:41 pm
Ah yes. Home is great for singing! I sometimes sit at the computer and sing through a great hymn and just have a good cry over it. What a rich blessing! But, at church, given our present culture, it’s a different story. But there are ways around it.
I try to pick hymns with a specific theme in mind–usually related to the subject of the sermon. And sometimes certain verses will suit that better than others. There are times when we can sing some of the verses, and maybe catch others another time.
Then, what about this? (I’ve only done this occasionally.) Sing part of the hymn at one point in the service, and another part later on.
Another thing I’ve done is print all the verses on a bulletin insert. And perhaps I’ll read them, as part of our Praise and Prayer Time. Or, I’ll encourage the folks to read them at home some day during the week, as part of their devotions. Then, if/when we sing the hymn, we only sing selected verses.
The service leader can also have the congregation read a few of the verses in unison (or read them himself) and sing the others.
As I say, ways around it. Some hymns don’t suffer much from skipping a stanza here or there. Others are so rich, or else the stanzas follow a logical flow, making it difficult to leave any out. God bless.
2 March 2013 @ 7:54 am
Great ideas. I particularly like the one of singing part of the song, and coming back to it.