Samuel Sebastian Wesley - O Thou who camest from above

[@gordonsmith8899]

The words of this hymn are wonderful

[@alancook4407]

What a hymn of sacrifice a love that endures forever in the hearts of manki

[@francisgkmamuzu5048]

I am a Catholic and I love to sing the hymnal songs!

[@truthunfolded1300]

Look at those Roman Catholic priests acting like they don't know this popular hymn. I'm not Anglican either but I would be singing it with joy if I were at this solemn Assembly

[@brogsbunny]

Very likely they don't know the Lord either

[@gordonsmith8899]

@@brogsbunny That is very uncharitable of you.

[@lavishbt]

This hymn is a hymn written by an evangelical Methodist, which is appropriate given the ecumenical nature of the service. It is in fact a moving song.The amazing thing about Westley is that his hymns are so powerful and stirring, they provide a great back ground for expression of faith--particularly Christian faith

[@truthunfolded1300]

Samuel Wesley was actually Anglican. He was the father of John and Charles the latter being one of the greatest hymn writers past or present, but your comment is beautiful

[@clintonjames9738]

He was a Church of England priest

[@Samintheburgh]

The composer of the music for this hymn is Samuel Sebastian Wesley who lived entirely in the nineteenth Century. The poet who wrote the words is Charles Wesley, who lived entirely in the eighteenth Century. Charles Wesley died in 1788, 22 years before the composer was born. The Samuel Wesley mentioned in an earlier post is not the same individual.

[@gracelatinwo6505]

God is great Over the years the tune is still beautiful l love it

[@gordonsmith8899]

This is a beautiful tune (Hereford)

[@eyesandears6341]

Notwithstanding the greatness of the music and inspiring words, I do wish the congregation had kept time.

[@gordonsmith8899]

Always a problem in a very large building with an echo.

[@andrewcupido9856]

i love this hymn, did not have the sheet music so i listened and wrote the notes for my dad to play on the organ....beautiful Godly music.

[@ballinora53]

A lvely Hymn During the Pope's visit we saw the best of RC andAnglicam music and worship

[@axisgraf]

this joins the genre of one of the best out there on youtube!

[@MusDocJerusalem]

"..there let it for thy glory burn with inextinguishable blaze.."

[@idle44]

@ballinora53 Yes, and I speak as one who was (high) Anglican and has been Catholic since 1993. I miss the hymns more than anything else.

[@andrewmatheson5888]

long live the organ

[@bachlover99]

These wonderful words from John Wesley, set so beautifully to music by his grandson Samuel Sebastian echo the words written by the Italian Bianco da Siena translated for us in English as the hymn "Come Down O Love Divine". Why create divisions where there are none?

[@x8lover]

Charles Wesley even. John wrote very few hymns. Hymnody can be universal but can also be very dogmatic.

[@ds1868]

+bachlover99 Words by Charles Wesley (1762), music by his grandson Samuel Sebastian Wesley, and called 'Hereford' in memory of his time as Organist of Hereford Cathedral.

[@bachlover99]

+ds1868 May I just say that I am happy to stand corrected, in case anyone else wishes to point out my error!!

[@smtmsjacolyn6699]

It's so beautiful and the feeling you get singing these hymns along with choir and congregation as a Methodist all the way from Srilanka. May blessings of God be with you for ever and ever, Amen.

[@Misuladasa]

The Roman Catholics aren't singing because I am pretty sure this hymn is only sung in the Anglican communion.

[@arpschneider]

They aren't singing mostly because Catholics can't sing as a general rule. Their tradition is that the choir sings, not the clergy. Plus there is the fact that it is an unfamiliar tune, but an ABSOLUTELY STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL one!

[@andyrick123]

Two points (kindly meant) Not "their" but "they are" and secondly, if you can read it's perfectly possible to sing the words even if one doesn't understand them.

[@Goodchappy]

@TheCrazyCello I have no idea why some Catholics don't appear to sing, in the case of this video perhaps they did not know the words, the Cardinal was singing however. All I do know is that singing can lift your spirits especially if it is a rousing hymn like this one.

[@ballinora53]

@idle44 Wel in many ways I have the best of both of both worlds, On Saturday in my local Catholic Church I ing in the choir. Thank God we have a choir of 35 full muster., and on Sunday I attend the Anglican Cathedral in Cork for Holy Communion. My friend a Kenyan Lady is Anglican, and I am her little son,s Godfather. I know us Caholics will not sing but my Anglican friends will not either. At my daughter,s wedding the Choir O Perfect Love , Tune Highwood by RR Terry,

[@Goodchappy]

Yes, I think you are right, though the Cardinal and I think the Pope were singing it. It is such a shame but when I have been to Catholic churches, not many people seem to sing, I don't understand why.

[@davelow7586]

Centuries of Latin text and chanting from priests with occasional response from the congregation and no hymns or other congressional involvement whatsoever has brought about this situation. Congregational singing is of Anglian and English church tradition.

[@ballinora53]

@ballinora53 yes iti is a shame. it is not secterian , but it is not secterian, it is thereeem to be a forgetting of the best Church music .William Byrd was a devout Catholic and their is no Catholic Church in my city that does a Byrd Mass. In the Anglican Cathedral we were treated to Haydn's little organ Mass, and he was a devout Catholic. I must take my hat off to the fairminded British Peopleho gave Benedict a lovely wellcome. God Bless you

[@MrParpaillotcamisard]

Sorry , but in my version ( and many other Christians' ) conception of Christianity , " the most important people " are neither the Anglican ( Protestant ) Archbishop of Canterbury nor the Roman catholic Pope , but the whole universal communion of all Christians , all of them individually and collectively ...

[@MandyJMaddison]

Yes, I don't think that this hymn was the best choice for the occasion. I suspect that whoever chose it was thinking of the words, not of the familiarity, or with the ease of singing. Many people can pick up a simple tune at the first verse, but this isn't that simple. It's moments like these that you sing the "All People that on Earth do Dwell".

[@mjdroots]

Although I love this hymn, I agree it wasn't the most thoughtful choice for that particular occasion.

[@cheyennedavis-samuel3481]

From a Caribbean Anglican we sang this to the tune of Wilton which is much easier and catchier.

[@MandyJMaddison]

@@cheyennedavis-samuel3481 , That is a beautiful tune. I have never sung this to that tune.

[@cheyennedavis-samuel3481]

I think it would’ve been better If this was sung to the tune of Wilton.

[@pipeup1]

@02Blackbeard their not singing because their forign and the words are English! How would you be singing along to a hymn in german or italian or dutch if you did'nt speak it!!

[@Goodchappy]

Catholics, please SING!

[@corneliarusu5768]

all Christians, please SING

[@andyrick123]

A quite unworthy remark.