All for Jesus, all for Jesus

John Stainer’s cantata The Crucifixion was first performed at Marylebone Parish Church in central London on Ash Wednesday, 24 Feb 1887. It has received both stern criticism and staunch admiration since that day, and this concluding hymn has been widely valued across the spectrum of churches whether or not its source is equally acclaimed or even recognised. There is something uniquely stirring about its opening line (or couplet), and notably its 3rd stz, which has united Christians of every shade. The text is that of William J Sparrow-Simpson, who included an additional and sacramental stz (the original 3rd) which is retained by the New English Hymnal (1986) but more usually omitted. The changes in this version, adapted from those in HTC and made to avoid the use of ‘thee’, are at 1.3–4 (from the admittedly stronger ‘for we have no hope nor Saviour/ if we have not hope in thee’) and 4.3–4 (‘… her sons are gathered,/ one in love, and one in thee’). The Jubilate version, with an extra penultimate stz, and other books including even NEH, have other variations.

It is hard to imagine any tune other than Stainer’s ALL FOR JESUS, composed for his 1887 cantata. But as music editor of the 1898 Church Hymnary he chose it there for 894, and other texts have also borrowed it.

(aka Simpson, W J S), b London 1859, d Ilford, Essex 1952. St Paul’s Sch; Trinity Coll Cambridge (BA, 1st in theology, MA). He was ordained in 1882 and served in 3 central London parishes (Albany St, Regent’s Park and St Mary Aldermary) before moving to Ilford as Chaplain of St Mary’s Hospital, 1904–51. Among his many books were biblical and historical studies, reference works which he edited, biographies of Bernard of Clairvaux (1895) and Augustine of Hippo (1919), The Prophet of the Highest (1895, on John the Baptist), The Church and the Bible (1897) and The Claims of Jesus Christ (1900). He also contributed to major Bible dictionaries, and gained his Cambridge BD in 1909, DD 1911. But he is best known as the author and arranger of the text of John Stainer’s The Crucifixion (1887) including several hymns, one of which is in wide use in varied versions. No.836.