Light of Ages and of Nations (Hollantse Boerenlities)
Hymn composed by
Oude en niewe Hollantse Boerenlities en ContradanseuContextual information
This hymn appears as #189 in Singing the Living Tradition.
This hymn appears as #189 in Singing the Living Tradition.
Tune Name
IN BABILONE
Tune Name
Text Meter
8.7.8.7.D.
10.9.10.9
Song Composer
Oude en niewe Hollantse Boerenlities en ContradanseuHymn Arranger
Composer Background information
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Lyricist Background information
Born in Portland, Maine, Samuel Longfellow (1819-1892) was ordained as a Unitarian minister and served congregations in Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. In 1846, he and Rev. Samuel Johnson compiled and edited A Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion, often revising lyrics to meet the needs of churches with increasingly liberal theologies. Devoted partners for 40 years, Longfellow and Johnson enlarged upon their work in 1864 with Hymns of the Spirit. Noting the difference between Samuel and his famous older brother Henry Wadsworth, a friend remembered, “It was said that while Henry Longfellow was made a poet, Samuel was born one, and also it was said that he was good enough to be a saint and interesting enough to be a sinner. He was certainly a mystic.” (prepared by Rev. Norman Allen)
Arranger Background information
Lyrics
Light of ages and of nations, every race and every time
has received thine inspirations, glimpses of thy truth sublime.
Always spirits in rapt vision passed the heavenly veil within,
always hearts bowed in contrition found salvation from their sin.
Reason’s noble aspiration truth in growing clearness saw;
conscience spoke its condemnation, or proclaimed eternal law.
While thine inward revelations told thy saints their prayers were heard,
prophets to the guilty nations spoke thine everlasting word.
Lo, that word abideth ever; revelation is not sealed;
answering now to our endeavor, truth and right are still revealed.
That which came to ancient sages, Greek, Barbarian, Roman, Jew,
written in the soul’s deep pages, shines today, forever new.
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