Hymn of the Week: ‘Come, Christians, Join to Sing’

Here’s another great chestnut from the 19th century. While most parishes, I suspect, don’t have trumpets and timpani, this rendition (featuring both) gives a thrilling idea of what hundreds of voices raised in song can achieve. (This was our entrance hymn this weekend, and we made do with a simple piano.)

About the author:

Christian Henry Bateman, son of John Bateman, was born Aug. 9, 1813, at Wyke, near Halifax. After studying in the Moravian Church and exercising his ministry there for a time, he became, in 1843, minister of Richmond Place Congregational Church, Edinburgh. He died in 1889.

The words are set to the traditional Spanish melody, “Madrid.”

The lyrics: 

1. Come, Christians, join to sing,
   alleluia! amen!
   Loud praise to Christ our King:
   alleluia, amen!
   Let all with heart and voice,
   before his throne rejoice;
   praise is his gracious choice:
   alleluia, amen!

2. Come, lift your hearts on high;
alleluia, amen!
Let praises fill the sky:
alleluia, amen!
Christ is our guide and friend;
to us he’ll condescend;
his love shall never end:
alleluia, amen!

3.Praise yet our Christ again:
alleluia, amen!
Life shall not end the strain;
alleluia, amen!
On heaven’s blissful shore
his goodness we’ll adore,
singing forevermore:
alleluia, amen!

Given the theme of this Sunday’s readings, and what is happening right now in the world around us, I think it’s an excellent choice for beginning the liturgy.