CHORAL MUSIC - O FOR A THOUSAND TONGUES TO SING

[Thalan]

Listening to this is so relaxing.

[125jonah]

Which tune is this?

[clarkefaw]

@125jonah ,

The tune is called Lyngham.

[bcurt47]

The comments on this page are fascinating. We're told that the church music should attract youth so we take the pop songs of today and add Jesus name. My teenage son said "Dad I love Rock & Roll but I don't want it at church!" We attended a service recently where they used a Sinéad O'Connor love song as a praise chorus! The hymns teach our theology- why we believe what we believe!

[jimbobanalbeats]

@bcurt47 Actually, you believe what you believe because you are fucking idiots. This is still amazing sounding music though.

[Laetylaety1]

This choir has sung it perfectly. I could hear it a thousand times,beautiful song.

[woody7862]

This was recorded on the Hymn Maker series and I have it on tape. It is the St. Michael's Singers of Coventry Cathedral.

Steve.

[somelezo]

Oh for a thousand tongues, even a million Lord! Thanks for posting the original tune. It's so much better.

[5355vbxjbj76rvn]

This tune is perfect for the words - the other, slower, tune doesn't do the words justice. The Wesleys - and not them alone - marry the Biblical text and Christian experience superbly. A Church that sings, is a Church that is equipped to evangelise.

[Udany147]

@5355vbxjbj76rvn Although I may be wrong, I believe the slower tune was the original - Charles Wesley often wrote hymns to sombre, slow music but most of it was later changed to faster and more joyful tunes.

I think both tunes are brilliant - and the lyrics are beautiful.

[olusamy]

Nice hymn presentation with befitting dress and awesome backdrop. Weldone!

[copperpostie856]

I never tire of listening to this. I don't think I ever could. Quite apart from the religious aspect, it's just such a fabulous tune.

[copperpostie856]

I never tire of listening to this. I don't think I ever could. Quite apart from the religious aspect, it's just such a fabulous tune.

[bangwezl]

Sung like the selection in 'The Sacred Harp'. Charles Wesley wrote this in the eighteenth century, and I forget the man or the name of the tune this is set .Musicolette has the proper attitude: the sounding of the Heavens for us here on Earth.

[storyman507]

@bangwezl I believe this is actually a "West Gallery" tune which is similar to Sacred Harp.  Both wonderful music traditions.

[agz1995]

you do get a cd of this. its called 'Redemption Hymnal'.

[ryevic]

Hear Hear kratesschwinn, Redemption Hymns are the best, praise the Lord

[nnaemekannn]

where do choirs of those days learn to sing, even their instruments sound far better and richer

[Moireach91]

Very nice rendition. Salvation army? How are they and the Mormon's so good at choir singing?

[sezzybabe74]

A classic that makes me feel nostalgic & in touch with my childhood!

[Musicolette]

Music has the power to move a person between different realities: from a broken body into a soaring spirit, from a broken heart into the connection of shared love, from death into the memory and movement of life. Music has the power to touch the heart of a child with God."

~ Dr. Deforia Lane ~

[deslm]

Krateschwinn, I agree with you 100%!

[Aishiya1]

I have this on an album by the Saint Michael's Choir of Coventry Cathedral.

[smellynerfherder]

And leap ye lame for joy!

Hallelujah!

[Dalryn1]

One of the best rendition of thisong. Has anyone heard While shepherds watched their flocks by night sung to this tune? Fabulous. I whish someone would upload it

[CentralScrotiniser]

I just had the hairs on the back of my neck stand straight at the first line...

[onebobonesoul]

The tenor part in this is fantastic, parly because ther harmony is amazing, but mostly in terms of singing it is great because its a lot of fun to sing but also its a rather easy harmony to sing.

[LaloKasiaK75]

exactly krateschwinn ... I'm also sadden that today's churches are neglecting the hymns of the church !

[qingloongwong]

Beautifully sung!

[BoundInChains]

Now this version was the one I was looking for NIce

[hornedone72]

Wow. I have never heard Wesley's hymn sung to beautifully. Praise Jesus. The previous comment also makes my point as well.

Is there a CD one can purchase of this music?

[x8lover]

Don't know why people are saying that this hymn was written by Isaac Watts. Definately the work of Charles Wesley to celebrate the anniversery of his conversion experience. Good harmony for a well but the tune is not a choral piece as was written for congregation singing. Bstg tune for this hymn.

[annikastarr]

What is the author of this song referring to ? I didn't know until the angel choir came to visit me, then praise the lord I did. You see the angels sing in a thousand tongues all in octaves, although perhaps some fifths were thrown in as well.

[mkl62]

I am an ELCA Lutheran from South Carolina. I play the piano and organ. Today (June 6), we opened the service with this. However, it was to the tune, AZMON, composed by Carl G. Glaser and arranged by Lowell Mason. It is #886 in Evangelical Lutheran Worship.

[thiurikiuri]

It's written by Isaac Watts and here sung by St Michael's Singers

[kejcolley]

@thiurikiuri - The St. Michael's Singers are Coventry (UK) based, and this was recorded in Coventry Cathedral. It's from the CD 'The Hymn Makers - Charles Wesley' - he wrote the words and the tune is 'Lyngham' by Thomas Jarman (1782-1862) and is, in the UK, probably the most-used tune to these words. It is my all-time favourite hymn.

Incidentally, in the Methodist hymn book, ‘Hymns & Psalms’ this is the alternative tune to ‘While shepherds watched their flocks by night!’

[spiritfingers1]

Wonderful! Love all the traditional hymns of old.

I grew up in a pentecostal denomination and we sang a lot of the hymns as well as contemporary songs of praise and worship.

Always lovely to hear traditional choral pieces :)

[martinmartinshaw2]

Fantastic hymn, the words are translated well from scripture. I prefer this version others do not arouse me like this tune.

[TheMidtownjourneyofl]

This great hymn is from Hymn Maker By Saint Michael's Choir.

On the other hand, I see the Lord raising modern hymn writer like Stuart Townsend and Keith/ Krystyn Gettty. There are more and more artists producing hymns in modern instruments and melodies.

[TheMidtownjourneyofl]

Let me put in couple sense about Modern Christian Musics andtaditional hymns. One time I listen to a well known "worship leader" from Australia, her entire song with a first personal pronoun "I", if I counted right, she used over 180 times in a 4:00 min song. It is a based on the worshiper rather the person (persona) we are worshiping, The argruement is that "we are worship in spirit, rather than theology." But Jesus said,"...we worship Him in spirit and in truth."

[jensmom604]

Wrong tune! :(

[Scotsbell]

@jensmom604 No, an original, as the composer Isacc Watts is from the same era as Wesley. :)

[sheyihassan]

wooooooooow

[mytramplady]

WONDERFULLY SUNG.BEAUTIFUL

[mytramplady]

WONDERFULLY SUNG.BEAUTIFUL

[christineshires]

What a beautiful arrangement of this Hymn! One of my favorites!

[krateschwinn]

Modern Christian Music of all genre do not hold a candle and are not even worthy of comparison to this kind of traditional music. Charles Wesley and his peers are the absolute pinnacle of hymns for the church age. To neglect this music as most of evangelical Christianity is doing today is absolutely tragic. This kind of music is actually quite easy to sing as a choir or congregation with parts. Your soul can fly into the heavens and have a taste of eternity through Jesus Christ and his music.

[jonparreno]

I agree with most comments on this page. I grew up in my faith loving hymns both in church and with Inter-Varsity in the Philippines- during the 60's.These hymns are rich in theology and Scripture. These days, the church has sadly bought into pop culture, rather than influence culture. Flash it on the wall, clap your hands, sway,etc. Too shallow, subjective, and narcissistic. I hope and pray that the church will go back to hymns, like "O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing" and "And Can It Be"..

[backnumber1662]

Tell it!

[BoundInChains]

@krateschwinn exactly! I am attending a church service that is a denomination free one though their rituals are quasi-Anglican church. They sing hymns only. I have realised just recently that one of the many reasons I attend their service is because of their use of the old Hymns as they were intended to be. I have nothing much against Praise and Worship songs and music but man, Hymns are what move me the most even though I can't give harmony parts to save my life.LOl.

[MandyJMaddison]

@krateschwinn "Shine, Jesus, Shine!" has taken the world by storm, and so well it might. It is sung all the way from South Yorkshire to Western Samar. The first Christian church in Qatar make a great go of it. So do the Nigerians. Let's not pretend that modern Christian hymns have nothing to offer! It is a ridiculous attitude and it stifles modern Christian creativity.

[krateschwinn]

@MandyJMaddison I have never heard of the song that you mention. I am not saying that nothing of value is being written today, just very little.

I have been in the contemporary christian music world since the 1960's and have recently come to the conclusion that the Issac Watts and Charles Wesley era is and was the pinnacle of Church age music. I speak with over 40 years of contemporary Christian music culture experience. I regret having taken so long to come this conclusion

[MandyJMaddison]

@krateschwinn. Kate, I am in agreement with you that these great hymns that are so much part of the Christian musical tradition should still be sung. Young people where I cone from do not know hymns that are as well known as "The Lord's my Shepherd" and "Oh God our Help in Ages past", let alone "Oh for a Thousand Tongues". In fact, in this diocese, many of them don't know how to say the Lord's Prayer!

-to be continued

[MandyJMaddison]

@MandyJMaddison Continuation of last post...

20th century hymns that are truly valuable contributions include Timothy Dudley-Smith's "Tell out my Soul", Rutter's arrangement of "For the Beauty of the Earth", and Albert Bayly's wonderful words "O Lord of every Shining Constellation" which would do honour to Isaac Watts himself. I have never heard it sung.

But I suggest that you search for "Shine Jesus Shine" for the truly joyous experience of seeing and hearing it sung in Nigeria.

[krateschwinn]

@MandyJMaddison I realize that there is some music that is being written today that is decent, but none of it does to me what the older music does for me.

I searched "Shine Jesus shine" and I was only moderately impressed...not my cup of tea. I am a Handel, Watts, Wesley, Crosby, Bach type of music lover, the older the better. Jeremiah 6:16 .....Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.

[redbrian3655]

@krateschwinn I used to feel this way, but I have since learned to see the value in all music of the ages. Your attitude about Modern Christian Music is as dividing and narrow as those who will ONLY embrace contemporary. I say this because I work in a Church where we struggle to "blend" it all. It takes open minds and hearts to learn and change. I wish that I could do Bach all the time, but that is just not everyone's "reaching Point."

[krateschwinn]

@redbrian3655 having been born in 1956 and grew up in the 60's and 70's, first hand witness to the bristish (beetles) invasion of music, the sexual revolution, the moral decay of american morals. Also being student of where rock music, jazz, rythmn and blues came from and its direct historic association with the sexual revolution of the 60's and 70's, I will forever associate modern secular music of my era and those who try to intergrate it with Christian music, with immorallity.

[brandenburg2388]

@krateschwinn I agree with you. Choral singing of the traditional hymns is our closest earthly experience of the angelic choir singing praises and glory to the Lord in heaven.

[noleyplatz]

@krateschwinn Absolutely! This is life-giving music.

[roguetk421]

@krateschwinn I totally agree...I remember singing this as part of a choir with the congregation and although it's a pure vocal workout (I was knackered by the end) I felt amazing. Hymns like this truly lift the soul when song properly in a church where the voices can reverberate off the walls and give such an awesome sound all in praise of God. Modern Christian music has it's place and time but nothing beats the old fashioned hymns.

[MRDunroman]

@krateschwinn My dear friend in some small country churches today there would be no more than one dozen people that hardley a choir makes and anyhow listen to Susan Boyle sing "How Great Thou Art" or some of the modern Hillsong Singing. Mrdunroman

[Antifogasta]

@MRDunroman Dear friend, I attend a small country church and on Sunday we had 15 in the congregation, but I still would not want to give up singing wonderful hymns such as this. Many of the modern versions are crass - almost all with 4/4 bet etc. Blesings on your head.

[j4cksincl4ir]

@krateschwinn I totally agree. I'm certainly not a man who believes in tradition for the sake of it but it is absolutely tragic that the Word-filled high praise hymns are being abandoned for what seems to me as boy band ballads which only a few are able to sing. You can actually read through a Charles Wesley hymn book and become well grounded in the faith.

[Dalryn1]

This is just beautiful . What choir is is? I wish the Praise and worship leaders take a cue from these hymns and include them in the sunday services. These hymns are jsut anointed and a yearning for God

[AmosPressley]

You are so right, Dalryn1. Today, it's pop in a CD, flop an image on the wall, and trance ourselves into musical insensibility. The worst thing about it is that many do not realize what has been lost.

[Dalryn1]

Thanks for the response. I am glad someone agrees with me. EVerytime I talk of the modern singing I get Yu shaould change with the time etc. I am sorry I cant change my taste in music.

[AmosPressley]

Yes, I understand the problem well. I personally think the problem is much deeper and more serious than mere musical taste.

[AmosPressley]

Think about it this way. Let's say you are in Pizza Hut. A guy gets up from his pitcher of beer, goes over to the jukebox, puts in his money and plays something by the latest entertainment Idol. It makes sense. He is of the world, has worldly appetites, and just wants some entertainment.

The next day, you go into a church, expecting to find something different. Instead, you find someone who is trying to sound like the beer-soaked entertainment of the world! Surely, you know SOMETHING is wrong.

[b157566]

Only by maintaining faith in Jesus Christ and His shed blood on the Cross of Calvary, is the power of sin broken.

Colossians 2:13-14 (New American Standard)

When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He [Jesus] made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.

[gusmanj14]

Where could I find this particular arrangement?

[Basingstoke1949]

@gusmanj14

A SATB version of this hymn can be found in the Mennonite Hymnal and probably a few other hymnals, although it is not particularly common, but can be found in a few places.

The tune name is Lyngham. As for this particular arrangement with the duet between the ladies for one verse and the men another verse, I have no idea. But most of it follows the straight SATB version as found in the Mennonite Hymnal. I am going to try to research this for my choir at church. JBB

[gusmanj14]

Oh ok... Yeah I have a normal SATB version, I just like the particular pre, po, and interludes for the organ. Thank you :-)

[GumGumHooray]

I LOVE this hymn! My Australian friend plays it in her car full balst evryday, and we sing along! I always make sure this is in my head then I have a good day! x

[mitzvotman2]

@GumGumHooray good deal I miss the Hyms sometimres

[Songbirdofpeace]

Thank you so much for giving us this opportunity to join this wonderful music where thousands tongues come to sing together. If only, if we could keep this heritage in the Church !

Once again thank you, may God bless you!

[keebearfull]

soul stirring! majesty of music blended with words Divine. The sound of angels voices in the descant. . . nearly so it seems. Thanks.

[jpwsml]

Is this tune called Diadem? I know we used to sing both tunes to this at our church but this is my favourite!

[Davie1954]

The tune name of this version of "O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing" is "Lyngham" composed by Thom­as Jar­man (1776-1861), cir­ca 1803

[tudiren]

absolutely beautiful.  Best version I have ever hear.

[Davie1954]

This presentation is from the Album "The Hymn Makers", Record Label: Kingsway Music, Saint Michael's Singers, conducted by Paul Leddington Wright, recorded at Coventry Cathedral, England

[Davie1954]

Album title should be "The Hymn Makers Charles Wesley: Love Divine". This work is posted on Rhapsody.

[grandmascott]

Thank you for this video.

God Bless You.

grandmascott.

[mairangiroad]

Great uplifting version. Can someone advise me the name of the choir and details where I can buy the disc. Thanks.

[mairangiroad]

Many thanks Mr. Davies. Your replys to my quries is much appreciated. Sorry for the delay to thank you, I was overseas last month.

[ksrdmd08]

There is nothing like a choir, and this one

is wonderful to hear. Thank you!

[calebdavid100]

It`s very sweet and spiritual thanks for posting tuis video.

[bussat31415926535]

this is the best version, really a great hymn

[mtejaa]

thanks for posting this version. the american churches always change the tunes of these great english hymns.

[somelezo]

@mtejaa yes!! gosh!! this is the best tune for it. I went looking for it on the internet coz we sang it in our church in the English tune, when I looked, there was another tune everywhere. I'm so glad to find this one. just saved it.

[oleandru]

a lui DUMNEZEU sa fie slava si gloria acum si-n toata vesnicia

[gracetalks01]

such a song as this, this is our story, our chains fell off! out of the prison, precious blood of our redeemer oh how he saves! i miss singing this at church, thank you brother