The Story of the Hymns and TunesButterworth, Hezekiah
Religion
The Story of the Hymns and Tunes
Butterworth, Hezekiah
Hymns -- History and criticism; Religious poetry
Miss Mary Elizabeth Servoss, the author of this trustful hymn, was born
in Schenectady, N.Y., Aug. 22, 1849. When a very young girl her
admiration of Fanny Crosby's writings, and the great and good service
they were doing in the world, inspired her with a longing to resemble
her. Though her burden was as real, it was not like the other's, and her
opportunities for religious meditation and literary work were fewer than
those of the elder lady, but the limited number of hymns she has written
have much of the spirit and beauty of their model.
Providence decreed for her a life of domestic care and patient waiting.
For eighteen years she was the constant attendant of a disabled
grandmother, and long afterwards love and duty made her the home nurse
during her mother's protracted illness and the last sickness of her
father, until both parents passed away.
From her present home in Edeson, Ill., some utterances of her chastened
spirit have found their way to the public, and been a gospel of
blessing. Besides "He Will Hide Me" other hymns of Miss Servoss are
"Portals of Light," "He Careth," "Patiently Enduring," and "Gates of
Praise," the last being the best known.
When the storms of life are raging.
Tempests wild on sea and land,
I will seek a place of refuge
In the shadow of God's hand.
CHORUS.
He will hide me, He will hide me,
Where no harm can e'er betide me,
He will hide me, safely hide me
In the shadow of His hand.
* * * * *
So while here the cross I'm bearing,
Meeting storms and billows wild,
Jesus for my soul is caring,
Naught can harm His Father's child.
He will hide me, etc.
_THE TUNE._
An animating choral in nine-eight tempo, with a swinging movement and
fugue chorus, is rather florid for the hymn, but undeniably musical. Mr.
James McGranahan was the composer. He was born in Adamsville, Pa., July
4, 1840. His education was acquired mostly at the public schools, and
both in general knowledge and in musical accomplishments it may be said
of him that he is "self-made."
Music was born in him, and at the age of nineteen, with some valuable
help from men like Bassini, Webb, Root and Zerrahn, he had studied to so
good purpose that he taught music classes himself. This talent, joined
to the gift of a very sweet tenor voice, made him the natural successor
of the lamented Bliss, and, with Major D.W. Whittle, he entered on a
career of gospel work, making between 1881 and 1885 two successful tours
of England, Scotland and Ireland, and through the chief American
cities.
Among his publications are the _Male Chorus Book_, _Songs of the Gospel_
and the _Gospel Male Choir_.
Resides at Kinsman, O.
"REVIVE THY WORK, O LORD."
(Heb. 3:2.)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account