Dear Church, the beloved of Christ,
The Story of our Hymns: “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!”
This joyful hymn of praise was written by William C. Dix in 1866 for the Lord’s Supper during Ascension Day, in recognition of the then small number of Eucharistic hymns. This hymn was originally called “Redemption through the Precious Blood”, and was inspired by Revelation 5:9, “And they sang a new song, saying, You are worthy . . . for you were slain, and have redeemed us to God by your blood.” The hymn proclaims “His the triumph, His the victory alone.” “Jesus . . . hath redeemed us by His blood.” And, “Though the cloud from sight received Him,” sings of Christ’s ascension. Even as He assured us He would not leave us as orphans, this hymn also reminds us of His faithful promise, “I am with you evermore.” The hymn expresses praise to Jesus for what He has done and is doing for us.
Thus, a hymn about one particular event, it is also a hymn of Christ’s continued work in our lives. (Laura de Jong)
W Chatterton Dix: Most British hymn writers in the nineteenth century were clergymen, but William Chatterton Dix (b. Bristol, England, 1837; d. Cheddar, Somerset, England, 1898) was a notable exception. Trained in the business world, he became the manager of a marine insurance company in Glasgow, Scotland. Dix published various volumes of his hymns, such as Hymns of Love and Joy (1861) and Altar Songs: Verses on the Holy Eucharist (1867). A number of his texts were first published in Hymns Ancient and Modern (1861). (Bert Polman)
Such a powerful hymn to remember our Saviour’s Ascension on this Seventh Sunday of Eastertide.
Blessings Be,