Hymn Tunes Background
Be My Vision
The ancient Irish hymn Be Thou My Vision is a personal favorite. The lyrics were written over a thousand years ago, and translated to English 1905.
Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
You can read the full lyrics and learn more about the history of this hymn at cyberhymnal.org: Be Thou My Vision.
Finlandia (Be Still Mix)
Finlandia was written by Finnish composer Jean Sibelius in 1899, and revised to become a stand-alone concert piece the following year. It became a symbol of Finnish nationalism.
I call it the "Be Still Mix" because of the beautiful hymn, Be Still My Soul, which borrows this tune.
Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Read more, including this hymn's "Chariots of Fire" connection, at cyberhymnal.org: Be Still, My Soul.
(By the way, there is at least one other hymn to this tune that deserves its own mix!)
Mighty Fortress
This is the only one of the three that was written as a hymn, music and lyrics, at the same time. It was nearly 500 years ago that Martin Luther wrote A Mighty Fortress is our God in Germany (not surprisingly, in German). The tune is formally known as Ein' Feste Burg.
And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through
us.
Read more at cyberhymnal.org: A Mighty Fortress is our God.