{"id":39427,"date":"2024-02-20T17:43:26","date_gmt":"2024-02-20T16:43:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/37bb1563-6d93-435e-b6fe-a2667afae593"},"modified":"2024-02-20T17:52:06","modified_gmt":"2024-02-20T16:52:06","slug":"baptism-hymns-10-of-the-most-popular-for-a-christening-ceremony","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/rss_feed\/baptism-hymns-10-of-the-most-popular-for-a-christening-ceremony\/","title":{"rendered":"Baptism hymns: 10 of the most popular for a christening ceremony"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Hannah Nepilova\n <\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 20 February 2024 at 16:43 PM<\/p>

\n\n

With their emphasis on hope, optimism and the wonder of life, hymns make an important statement at any baptism ceremony. But which are the best suited to a christening? Here is our choice of top ten best pieces of baptism music for you to choose for your service.<\/p>

Best baptism hymns<\/h2>

All my Hope on God is Founded<\/strong><\/h3>
Focusing on the hope and wonders that God offers us, this is an ideal piece of christening music. The most famous musical setting comes from Herbert Howells, who, on receiving a translation of the original German text in 1930, dreamt up the melody on the spot: \u2019while I was chewing bacon and sausage,\u2019 in his own words. Howells later rechristened the tune \u2018Michael\u2019 after his son who had died in childhood.<\/p>
<\/div><\/figure><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/best-wedding-hymns-10-of-the-most-popular-for-your-ceremony\"><strong>Best wedding hymns: 10 of the most popular for your ceremony<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-breathe-on-me-breath-of-god\"><strong>Breathe on me Breath of God<\/strong><\/h3><p>With its references to the spiritual breath of God which came to mankind via Jesus at Pentecost, this is another baptism staple – one of two hymns chosen for Prince George\u2019s christening in 2013. The words, written in 1876 by the Anglican priest Edwin Hatch, have a simplicity to them that, according to the United Methodist Church, \u2018belied the education and knowledge of its author.\u2019 But that simplicity is also the hymn\u2019s greatest asset, imbuing it with a childlike innocence.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embedwrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Breathe On Me, Breath Of God\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LB9NyecMS7s?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/best-thanksgiving-songs\"><strong>Best Thanksgiving songs: 11 of the most famous songs for Thanksgiving<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-he-who-would-valiant-be\"><strong>He Who Would Valiant Be<\/strong><\/h3><p>With its quaint references to the \u2018hobgoblin\u2019 and the \u2018foul fiend,\u2019 the text of this hymn \u2013 originally from John Bunyan\u2019s <em>Pilgrim\u2019s Progress <\/em>(1684)<em> \u2013 <\/em>has the whiff of a children\u2019s adventure story, making it a great inclusion in this list of baptism hymns. Meanwhile the melody \u2013 an English folksong arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams – is equally invigorating, lending itself to the optimistic spirit of a christening.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embedwrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\" he=\"\" who=\"\" would=\"\" valiant=\"\" be=\"\" prince=\"\" philip=\"\" memorial=\"\" service=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jiJ8horsiyY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/best-hymns-of-all-time\"><strong>Best hymns of all time<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-morning-has-broken\"><strong>Morning has Broken<\/strong><\/h3><p>This hymn, written in 1931 by the English poet and children\u2019s author, Eleanor Farjeon, is particularly appropriate for a christening, given that it is often sung by children. Set to a traditional Scottish Gaelic tune, it was made particularly popular by the English pop singer Cat Stevens, who included a version of it on his 1971 album <em>Teaser and the Firecat.<\/em><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embedwrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Yusuf \/ Cat Stevens \u2013 Morning Has Broken (Official Lyric Video)\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DmAOBosGlHY?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/hymns-for-lent\"><strong>Hymns for Lent: our top five<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-all-things-bright-and-beautiful\"><strong>All Things Bright and Beautiful<\/strong><\/h3><p>Much like \u2018Morning has Broken\u2019, this is one of those baptism hymns that many of us remember singing at school. First published in 1848 in Mrs Cecil Alexander’s Hymns for Little Children, it is focused on the small things in life (the \u2018tiny wings\u2019; the \u2018little flowers\u2019), which makes it an apt choice for a baptism. Its sweetness might not be to everybody\u2019s taste – some might even call it saccharine –\u00a0 but there is a lot of appreciate in its sense of wonder.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embedwrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Choir of St Mary-le-Tower, Ipswich | \" all=\"\" things=\"\" bright=\"\" and=\"\" beautiful=\"\" bbc=\"\" songs=\"\" of=\"\" praise=\"\" rspca=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/VgqKfGRT0PM?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/best-easter-hymns\"><strong>Best Easter hymns: top choices to celebrate Easter<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-give-me-joy-in-my-heart\"><strong>Give me Joy in my Heart<\/strong><\/h3><p>This gospel hymn definitely ranks among the more exuberant contributions to Christian worship. You might also know it as \u2018Give Me Oil in My Lamp\u2019 and \u2018Sing Hosanna\u2019. Although its origin is unknown, it is believed to have been inspired by the Parable of the Ten Virgins. The parable tells of a clutch of virgins who failed to bring enough oil for their lamps as they awaited the arrival of the bridegroom. Frequently used in football chants, it would certainly enliven any baptism service.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Give Me Joy in My Heart (Sing Hosanna - 3vv+refrain) [with lyrics for congregations]\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yno7LNhiL_E?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/best-school-hymns\"><strong>The best school hymns that we loved to sing<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-be-thou-my-vision\"><strong>Be Thou my Vision<\/strong><\/h3><p>This reassuring reminder of God\u2019s ever-presence has popped up in many baptism services, not least that of Prince George in 2013. Its words come from an old Irish text that is often attributed to the 6th century Saint Dall\u00e1n Forgail. But it is the music – a beautiful Irish folk tune called \u2018Slane\u2019 – that many of us remember. In fact, such was the melody\u2019s popularity that it was also paired with three other hymn texts: \u2018Lord of all Hopefulness\u2019, \u2018Lord of Creation, to Thee be all Praise\u2019 and \u2018God, In the Planning and Purpose of Life.\u2019<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embedwrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"First hymn, first vows | Prince Harry and Meghan Markle - The Royal Wedding - BBC\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/NK5p0dunbFI?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/best-funeral-hymns\"><strong>Best hymns for funerals and memorial services: 6 choices for expressing grief and hope<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-oh-jesus-i-have-promised\"><strong>Oh Jesus I have promised<\/strong><\/h3><p>John E Bode, an Anglican minister, wrote the text to this baptism hymn in 1868 for his daughter and two sons’ confirmation service. \u2018I have written a hymn containing all the important truths I want you to remember,\u2019 he told them at the time. It went on to become one of the most enduring hymns of Christian devotion, sung at many confirmations and christenings, including that of Prince Louis in 2018.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embedwrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"O Jesus I Have Promised (11 AM webstream)\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/rC-2Ss9tg7I?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/articles\/the-best-hymns-for-remembrance-sunday\"><strong>The best hymns for Remembrance Sunday<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-praise-to-the-lord-the-almighty\"><strong>Praise to the Lord, the Almighty<\/strong><\/h3><p>Based on Joachim Neander\u2019s German-language hymn, ‘Lobe den Herren, den M\u00e4chtigen K\u00f6nig der Ehren,’ this was apparently a favourite of King Frederick William III of Prussia, who first heard it in 1800. He had good taste: it\u2019s hard to imagine a more effective musical blend of joy and dignity. And this, most likely, is why it was sung at many royal occasions. You might remember it from the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth\u2019s coronation or the Service of Thanksgiving for the 50th anniversary of VE Day. Most applicable here though, is that it was included in Princess Charlotte\u2019s christening in 2015. <\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-4-3 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embedwrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Praise to the Lord the almighty\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/d8H9MV0YmV0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/queens-favourite-hymns\"><strong>What were the Queen’s favourite hymns?<\/strong><\/a><\/li><\/ul><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-come-down-o-love-divine\"><strong>Come Down, O Love Divine<\/strong><\/h3><p>Although this hymn is usually sung for the festival of Pentecost, it is also very suitable for baptisms, thanks to its sense of vibrancy. The text was born out of an Italian poem, \u2018Descend amor santo\u2019 by the 14th century mystic poet Bianco de Siena. But it was the melody by the early 20th-century composer Ralph Vaughan Williams that established the hymn\u2019s widespread popularity. He named his version \u2018Down Ampney\u2019 after the Gloucestershire village of his birth.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embedwrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Come Down O Love Divine (Down Ampney) - performed by the choir of King's College, Cambridge\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6HPKL1wOVXk?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure> <\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Hannah Nepilova Published: Tuesday, 20 February 2024 at 16:43 PM With their emphasis on hope, optimism and the wonder of life, hymns make an important statement at any baptism ceremony. 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