All Hymns articles
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OpinionRowan Williams wants to ditch ‘bland’ hymns. Do we need to rediscover the ‘great classics’?
Lord Williams of Oystermouth says many of the hymns sung at weddings and funerals, including ‘All things bright and beautiful’, are comparable to “baby food”. But hymn scholar Dr Daniel Johnson says churches should be sharing the treasures of the hymn tradition with as much joy as possible
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Opinion‘Blest is the man whose bowels move’
This year marks 350 years since the writer of ‘When I survey the wondrous cross’ was born. Dr Daniel Johnson takes a closer look at one of Isaac Watts’ lesser-known works
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OpinionWhy hymns at funerals are making a comeback
Two hymns made it into this year’s top ten list of songs played at funerals – for the first time in seven years. Rev Cassius Francis reflects on the resurgence of religious songs, and what our music choices can mean at such a difficult time
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OpinionWe urgently need to reach older adults with the gospel. I believe hymns can help
Pippa Cramer has always loved working with older people. But when she couldn’t find a way to share the gospel with them, she turned to their favourite hymns for help and inspiration
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Reviews‘Amazing grace’ is 250 years old. Here’s the story behind the song
As ‘Amazing grace’ marks its 250th anniversary on Sunday January 1st 2023, we look at the story behind one of the world’s most famous hymns and its author, John Newton
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OpinionThe hymn says: ‘God rest ye merry gentlemen’ but what does that really mean?
Where the comma sits in ‘God rest ye merry gentleman’ has been debated by scholars for years. Bob Lepine explains why Christians should care
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Magazine Features‘Why is there a partridge in my pear tree?’ Christmas carols are weird. Here’s what they mean
Ships, partridges and kings you’ve never heard of…William Long delves into the meaning behind some of our most bizarre carols
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Magazine FeaturesThe Ukrainian roots of Britain’s favourite hymn, ‘How great thou art’
One of the most popular hymns of all time, ‘How great thou art’ was inspired by a song that missionary Stuart Hine first heard in the Ukrainian mountains.
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OpinionSinging for Ukraine: how your worship could turn the tide in this war
We might not feel like singing much at the moment, but worship can be a powerful way to move the hand of God, says William Long, and the Ukrainian people are in desperate need of a miracle
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InterviewsAled Jones: ‘I’m not a perfect Christian, but I don’t know what one of those is’
The chorister-turned-TV-presenter on counting his blessings and why he decided to try his hand at writing Christmas stories
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ReviewsSongs of Praise: Celebrating 60 years of God speaking through television
Songs of Praise's longest serving living conductor pays tribute to the programme
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OpinionThe CofE’s school hymns guidance panders to populism
Church schools have a duty to be distinctive and offer parents and pupils real choice, says headteacher Alun Ebenezer
