Eternal Father Strong To Save "The Navy Hymn" by William Whiting in 1860, II Peter 2:9, John Bacchus Dykes Composer History William Whiting, the headmaster at Winchester College Choristers' School, wrote this hymn in 1860. Little is known about William Whiting's life; he did write other hymntexts, but Eternal Father, Strong to Save is the only one surviving today. This hymn received immediate acclaim by the Anglican church; it was published in Hymns Ancient and Modern in 1861 set to the tune MELITA. John Bacchus Dykes, the composer of MELITA, was a Cambridge University graduate whose fame as a composer remains to this day. He composed over 300 hymntunes, many of which are still in popular use. Eternal Father, Strong to Save has some other notable oddities: Robert Nelson Spencer added the verses starting with "O Christ, the Lord of hill and plain..." and "O Spirit, whom the Father sent..." around 1937. The hymntext covers all aspects of the Trinity by addressing each Person of the Godhead by verse. This hymn was played in memorable fashion by the Navy and Marine Bands at the funeral of assassinated President John F. Kennedy on November 24, 1963. Lyrics Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm hath bound the restless wave, Who bids the mighty ocean deep Its own appointed limits keep: O hear us when we cry to Thee For those in peril on the sea. O Savior, whose almighty word The winds and waves submissive heard, Who walkesdst on the foaming deep, And calm amid its rage didst sleep: O hear us when we cry to thee For those in peril on the sea. O Christ, the Lord of hill and plain, O'er which our traffic runs amain By mountain pass or valley low: Wherever, Lord, Thy brethern go, Protect them by Thy guarding hand From every peril on the land. O Holy Spirit, who didst brood Upon the chaos dark and rude, And bid its angry tumult cease, And give, for wild confusion, peace: O hear us when we cry to thee For those in peril on the sea. O Spirit, whom the Father sent To spread abroad the firmament: O Wind of heaven, by Thy might Save all who dare the eagle's flight, And keep them by Thy watchful care From every peril in the air. O Trinity of love and power, Our brethren shield in danger's hour; From rock and tempest, fire and foe, Protect them wheresoe'er they go; Thus evermore shall rise to Thee Glad praise from air and land and sea. Table of Contents | Juke Box of Music Donations Accepted Mail to: Jan Schimenek | P O Box 7615 | St Petersburg Fl 33734 Disclaimer: "Any material contained on this site was either created by Jan Schimenek or it has been obtained through public distribution channels and is assumed to be either "public domain" or it's free, non-commercial distribution to be allowed by the copyright holder. However, if you hold copyright to any material contained on this site and wish its removal and or credit , please contact Webmaster Jan Schimenek by E-Mail Provide legal proof of your right to demand removal." Thank You. Text & Web Layout Copyright © August 1 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 by Jan Schimenek . Last revised May 7th 1999 This web site is hosted by Fortune City
Eternal Father Strong To Save
"The Navy Hymn" by William Whiting in 1860, II Peter 2:9, John Bacchus Dykes Composer
History
William Whiting, the headmaster at Winchester College Choristers' School, wrote this hymn in 1860. Little is known about William Whiting's life; he did write other hymntexts, but Eternal Father, Strong to Save is the only one surviving today. This hymn received immediate acclaim by the Anglican church; it was published in Hymns Ancient and Modern in 1861 set to the tune MELITA.
John Bacchus Dykes, the composer of MELITA, was a Cambridge University graduate whose fame as a composer remains to this day. He composed over 300 hymntunes, many of which are still in popular use.
Eternal Father, Strong to Save has some other notable oddities:
Robert Nelson Spencer added the verses starting with "O Christ, the Lord of hill and plain..." and "O Spirit, whom the Father sent..." around 1937.
The hymntext covers all aspects of the Trinity by addressing each Person of the Godhead by verse.
This hymn was played in memorable fashion by the Navy and Marine Bands at the funeral of assassinated President John F. Kennedy on November 24, 1963.
Lyrics
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bids the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep:
O hear us when we cry to Thee
For those in peril on the sea.
O Savior, whose almighty word
The winds and waves submissive heard,
Who walkesdst on the foaming deep,
And calm amid its rage didst sleep:
O hear us when we cry to thee
O Christ, the Lord of hill and plain,
O'er which our traffic runs amain
By mountain pass or valley low:
Wherever, Lord, Thy brethern go,
Protect them by Thy guarding hand
From every peril on the land.
O Holy Spirit, who didst brood
Upon the chaos dark and rude,
And bid its angry tumult cease,
And give, for wild confusion, peace:
O Spirit, whom the Father sent
To spread abroad the firmament:
O Wind of heaven, by Thy might
Save all who dare the eagle's flight,
And keep them by Thy watchful care
From every peril in the air.
O Trinity of love and power,
Our brethren shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them wheresoe'er they go;
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad praise from air and land and sea.
Donations Accepted Mail to: Jan Schimenek | P O Box 7615 | St Petersburg Fl 33734
Disclaimer: "Any material contained on this site was either created by Jan Schimenek or it has been obtained through public distribution channels and is assumed to be either "public domain" or it's free, non-commercial distribution to be allowed by the copyright holder. However, if you hold copyright to any material contained on this site and wish its removal and or credit , please contact Webmaster Jan Schimenek by E-Mail Provide legal proof of your right to demand removal." Thank You. Text & Web Layout Copyright © August 1 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 by Jan Schimenek . Last revised May 7th 1999 This web site is hosted by Fortune City
