Come, sing the praise of Jesus

The tune, once again, has a vital part to play in the popularity of Jack Winslow’s text. But as a great many writers have borrowed the BATTLE HYMN without notable success, clearly some writing skills are needed, and a grand tune cannot indefinitely ‘carry’ inadequate words. This text, written some time before 1960, has stood the test at least of decades; but it was not well-known until the 1980s and the first major hymnal to include it was HTC in 1982, just 100 years after he was born. Small verbal changes have sometimes been made (as in HTC) but its essential rhythm and exhilarating chorus are part of Jack Winslow’s achievement. Like 291, it has proved an inspired choice for the big occasion, from Westminster Abbey onwards.

Variously known as BATTLE HYMN (OF THE REPUBLIC), JOHN BROWN’S BODY, or other names, the first full title was provided by the Atlantic Monthly of Feb 1862, when it published Julia Ward Howe’s Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord. But the tune was already known from American Methodist Camp (or ‘Revival’) Meetings, and in 1859 a version of it had been brought to England by John MacGregor, arranged by London’s ‘Temple Church’ organist E J Hopkins, and sold for the benefit of the Ragged School Shoe Black Society. John Brown entered the story romantically but posthumously, also in 1862, as recounted by Wesley Milgate in Songs of the People of God (1982, p97); it was the ‘John Brown’ words which Mrs Howe was consciously replacing. The present hymn works best if the first note is given its full crotchet value.

b Hanworth, Middx 1882, d Godalming, Surrey 1974. Eton Coll; Balliol Coll Oxford (BA/MA, classics). He trained at Wells Theol Coll, and after ordination (in 1906, CofE) and a curacy at Wimbledon, he lectured at St Augustine’s Coll, Canterbury, and then served for 20 years as a missionary in NW India, 1914–34. After 3 short parochial appointments back in England, from 1942–48 he was chaplain of Bryanston Sch, Dorset, then became best known for his innovative training and evangelistic ministry as chaplain at Lee Abbey, the conference and youth centre nr Lynton, N Devon, 1948–62. He wrote about India in The Dawn of Indian Freedom (a joint and hopeful book from 1931), The Christian approach to the Hindu (1958) and other books, and in 1956 published The Lee Abbey Story. A Garland of Verse followed in 1961, and his autobiography, written in the final year of his life, was A Testament of Thanksgiving (1973). Some of his translations feature in the international Cantate Domino (1974). In retirement he lived at Godalming, Surrey. As well as the hymn included here, his most successful text has been Lord of creation, to thee/you be all praise, often (but strangely) starting at stz 2, ‘Lord of all power, I give thee/you my will’. No.292.