Story Behind the Song
This religious and highly emotional piece is as always done with perfection and skill!
Fredrik Cole -Trax In Space
Reginald Heber, the author of this hymn, was always trying to improve the music and the Anglican that he served at in Hodnet, England. His superiors frowned on the use of anything but metrical psalms, but Hebner introduced hymns by Newton and Cowper nonetheless and even wrote hymns of his own. His greatest, Holy Holy Holy would eventually impress Alfred Lord Tennyson as being the worlds greatest hymn.
It was after leaving England to become bishop of Calcutta, India, that Herber was surrounded by the worship of false Gods. Nonetheless he was always impressed by the holiness of God. The tune to this song is called Niacea, named after the church council that met in 325 AD and affirmed the doctrine of the Trinity.
Don is featured on piano in this contemporary arrangement of Reginalds Hebers Christian masterpiece. The Throne of God in the book of Revelation is the focal point of this favorite. The delicate piano solo is backed with luscious strings. As the piece progresses a variety of instruments join in on the chorus building to a powerful finale that brings Christians to their feet in praise.
This is the first hymn that I ever arranged. At the time I was in charge of the praise team of a traditional church that was attempting to incorporate modern praise choruses in the service. The pastors had determined that it would help the older people in the congregation to adapt if I would include hymns in my repertoire. At the time I was a bit independent and bull-headed. In addition, I had been away from hymns for so long that I had come to the conclusion that they were irrelevant to my life.
However, the leaders of the church gave me a hymn book to study. As a result, I put together an arrangement of this piece.
It soon became the congregational favorite song that our team played. Slowly I had to admit that I like the hymn a whole lot as well. I had begun to learn that I when I adapted traditional hymns to contemporary media they worked for everyone. . .including myself!
When Selah formed, Holy Holy Holy soon became a permanent part of our repertoire. I found that it became a favorite everywhere we ministered.
Later, I arranged the piece in a way that featured Dave, Laurie and Vanessa on vocals and uploaded it to the Internet. It was so successful that I decided to release an instrumental arrangement for it as well. This seemed like a very good thing to do as I had received so many requests for an instrumental trac from people who wanted something they could sing to for performances. Whether-or-not you sing, though, we are certain that you will be blessed by this instrumental arrangement of this most popular and powerful hymn.
Lyrics
Holy Holy Holy
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee:
Holy, Holy, Holy! Merciful and Mighty!
God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity!
Holy, Holy, Holy! All the saints adore Thee,
Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee;
Who wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.
Evermore shalt be.
Holy, Holy, Holy! Tho the darkness hide Thee,
Tho the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see,
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,
Perfect in Powr , in love, and purity.
Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!
All Thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea.
Holy, Holy, Holy! merciful and Mighty!
God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!
Blessed Trinity!
Arrangement Copyright © 1999 Don Wigton
A free chord chart to this song is available at the Wigtune Home Page @ http://userzweb.lightspeed.net/wigton/wigtune.htm
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