Home » Hymns » The Story Behind The Hymn Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

The Story Behind The Hymn Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

0
Come_Thanksful_People_Com

Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

Come, Ye Thankful People, Come is one of the popular and traditional hymns sung during the Christian Harvest festival thanksgiving. The harvest festival is a celebration of thanksgiving to God in orthodox churches for a bountiful harvest.

During the harvest thanksgiving service, people of the church will bring gifts to the church to thank the Lord for a good harvest. However, the gift can be sold in a bazaar and the money taken to the needy. Also, the gift of food and money can be taken directly to the need.

The Hymn and The Harvest

Harvest is known as a blessing from the Lord and this is the major reason for Harvest festival thanksgiving. To praise the Lord for a good harvest and remember those in need. These reasons and others reflect in the text of the hymn “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” written by Reverend Henry Alford.

Anyone in a farming environment knows the importance of a good harvest.  The labour of the whole year is to be gathered quickly and disposed of rightly so that it will not spoil.

People that are not farmers also gather something after a period of labour. Also, the following rest which is for the farmers and other workers to enjoy their labours. This really calls for thanksgiving to the great provider as reflected in the hymn.

ALSO READ: Know About The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended Hymn

The Christian Harvest festival thanksgiving is typical of acknowledging the God behind our blessing. Either the blessing we receive is small or big, we just need to thank God for the blessing.

The hymn “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” also reflects on the harvest of the last day. When the Lord will come and gather all His saints home.

The Hymn Writer

Reverend Henry Alford author of Come, Ye Thankful People, Come hymn.
Reverend Henry Alford (7 October 1810 – 12 January 1871)

The text of this Christian Harvest thanksgiving hymn “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” written by Reverend Henry Alford. He is an accomplished English clergyman, theologian, hymnodist, poet, and writer.

Reverend Henry Alford was born on the 7th of October 1810 in London and is a descendant of the Somerset family. He lost his mother four months after his birth and was the only child of his bereaved father.

Henry Alford was raised early by his father who is a clergyman in Wiltshire. Reverend Henry Alford’s father became the first tutor in his life. 

But his father was the traveling chaplain of Lord Calthorpe, Henry, and usually not around with him.

He later experienced more of his growing up with his uncle Reverend Samuel Alford’s family.

He was a fragile and precocious boy that thoroughly stayed away from athletic exercises.

Notwithstanding, he possesses exceptional powers of mental work and his religious growth stood ahead of his age in understanding.

Education

When Henry Alford reached 9 years of age, he started a school under the leadership of Reverend B Jeanes. He continued his education in a private school at Hammersmith, and then Ilminster grammar school.

Also, he passed through the tutorship of the Reverend John Bickersteth at Aston in Suffolk as one of his private students.

He later gained admission in October 1827 to the Trinity College, Cambridge. He got a Bell scholarship in 1831 to continue his education.

In January 1832, he graduated from Trinity College as the 8th (on the first-class list) classic and 34th wrangler.

Call to Service

Reverend Henry Alford (7 October 1810 – 12 January 1871)

Reverend Henry Alford was ordained in 1833 as curate of Ampton and combined the ministry work with teaching. Thereafter, he was preferred as a fellow of Trinity (an Anglican priest) in 1834.

He took the work of his parish seriously and restored the church in a unique manner at that time. Also, he worked earnestly and built schools at the parish.

Subsequently, he became the vicar of Wymeswold in Leicestershire in early 1835. He served there for a complete 18 years with striking dedication to parish work and tuition.

He was later in September 1853 became minister of Quebec Street Chapel in Marylebone, London. Well known for preaching the gospel frequently and boldly to a sizable and enlightened congregation at Quebec Chapel.

He continued his priesthood and remarkable work there for almost four years.

ALSO READ: The Story You Need To Know About The Blessed Assurance Hymn

In March 1857, Reverend Henry Alford advanced by Lord Palmerston to the deanery of Canterbury Cathedral.

He worked fervently in the Canterbury Cathedral in all directions. During his time at Canterbury, he established a Sunday afternoon sermon.

Also, he founded a choral society for the development of music culture. Most importantly, for the performance of oratorios in the Canterbury cathedral.

Furthermore, he was seriously concerned about the restoration of the cathedral and its other buildings next to it.

He still remained as deanery of Canterbury Cathedral until his death in 1871.

As a preacher

Reverend Henry Alford is a steadfast preacher with great competence in preaching. He utilized different styles which cut across the thoughtfully written study of a subject and extempore sermon to preach the gospel.

As a preacher of the gospel, his approach was not eloquent or impassioned but severe and straightforward. Nevertheless, his word delivery is complemented by his clear and free baritone voice.

However, he maintained strong and interesting relationships with evangelicals as well as other non-conformist classes.

Also, he did everything possible to stay away from the high church movement within the Anglican Church.

Other Works and Accomplishment

Reverend Henry Alford was a devoted Christian and a man of different accomplishments. He represents one of the most versatile men of his time.

His abilities cut across different disciplines which include art, poetry, music, philosophy, oratory, general literature, and theology. In addition, he had considerable skill in wood carving, as well as water-colour painting.

Moreover, his religious development was exceptionally smart and outstanding that he wrote a short sermon at age of 10. Also, at age of 10, he had published a few Latin odes as well as a history of the Jews.

Also, the clergyman was a prolific author with nearly 50 volumes of work accredited with his name. These works include different poetry, criticism, and sermons.

ALSO READ: What You Need To Know About Take My Life And Let It Be Hymn

One of his great works was the Greek Testament which was first published in 1849. The work came out in 4 volumes and the last volume was published in 1861.

Also, he was an accomplished musician and hymnist. Reverend Henry Alford knew how to play the piano and organ and could also sing very well.  

He has a few vocal music compositions as well as pieces for the piano and organ. And was able to play and sing those pieces himself.

Moreover, he wrote several hymns with “Come, ye thankful people, come” being the most popular one among them. Also, his two other hymns “In token that thou shalt not fear,” and “Forward be our watchword” are well known.

Personal Life

Reverend Henry Alford’s personal life was a joyous and perfect example of diligence. He lived a happy life domestically and kept a large circle of friends.

Henry Alford married his cousin Fanny Alford (daughter of his uncle Reverend Samuel Alford, vicar of Curry Rivell) in 1836. The marriage produced four children, two sons and two daughters.

However, he lost his two young sons Ambrose Alford (1840 – 1850) and Clement Alford (1843 – 1844). His two daughters, Alice Alford and Frances Alford both survived and married during his lifetime.

In 1870, Reverend Henry Alford suffered a physical breakdown in connection with his indefinite effort and strenuous activities in the ministry. He later died on the the12th of January 1871. People throughout the entire Christian world at that time mourned his passing away.

The words “The Inn of a Pilgrim Traveling to Jerusalem.” were inscribed on his tombstone. This reflects one of his cherished dreams that never came true which is to visit Jerusalem, the Holy Land.

Story Behind the Hymn

Come, Ye Thankful People, Come in Hymns Ancient & Modern (London: Novello, 1861)

The story behind this English Christian harvest festival hymn is very straightforward. The hymn was written to celebrate the thrilling thanksgiving of the harvest festival in one English district.   

It happened in 1844 when Reverend Henry Alford was still the vicar of Wymeswold parish. The people of that hamlet were rejoicing to have a festival over the bountiful harvest they have assembled into their barns.  

This Christian harvest festival in England is a special occasion of thanksgiving to the Lord for the abundant harvest.  For this particular occasion at Wymeswold in Leicestershire, Reverend Henry Alford was inspired to write the text of this hymn.

The hymn first appeared on page 147 of Henry Alford’s book Psalms and Hymns (London: Francis & John Rivington, 1844). Since then, the hymn has maintained a substantial presence in English and other churches for over two centuries.  

The Text And Stanzas of The Hymn

Psalms and Hymns by Reverend Henry Alford (London: Francis & John Rivington, 1844).

The particular hymn “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” represents one of the great hymns appropriate for the festival of harvest thanksgiving.

Stanza one

The first stanza of the hymn projects the image of physical harvest on earth. Also, it urges us to sing “Raise the song of harvest home”, and give thanks to the Almighty God. The only one that brings forth the good harvest and supplies all our needs. “God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied”.

Stanza Two and Three

The second and third stanzas shifted from physical harvest to heavenly harvest. Those stanzas portray the spiritual harvest of beloved souls on the last day. The time when God will come and gather His people home.

Specifically, these stanzas rephrase “The Parable of the Weeds” written in Matthew 13:24-30. He started by comparing the world as a whole to God’s farmland. He continues with both good and bad fruit with the phrase: “are to joy or sorrow grown”. 

And ends the second stanza with the prayer of being a good harvest.

The same motive was repeated in stanza three. He starts by reminding us that God is coming to gather His people home. “For the Lord, our God shall come, and shall take the harvest home.” 

And continues that all the bad fruit shall be cast into the fire. And end it with the assurance that all the good fruit shall be kept forever.

Stanza four

The final stanza of the hymn “Come, ye thankful people, come” is a direct prayer that asks God to come for all His saints. 

So that they can be free from the pains of this world. See the word of stanza four as written in the text of the hymn below.

Tune For The Hymn

The common tune for the hymn “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” is St. George’s Windsor composed by Sir George J. Elvey in1856.

 The tune was initially composed for the text of the hymn “Hark! The Song of Jubilee,” by James Montgomery. It appeared with Montgomery’s text in Selection of Psalms and Hymn Tunes published by E. H. Throne in 1858.

Thereafter, the tune makes its first appearance with the text of the hymn “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” in 1861. When the “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” text appeared in the first edition of a well-known Anglican Church hymnal called Hymns Ancient and Modern.

ALSO READ: What You Need To know About The Hymn Immortal Invisible God Only Wise

Some reviewers of the hymn have pointed to the incongruity of this sturdy and joyful tune with the text. Notwithstanding, there is some beauty in this tune and text pairing as well, especially concerning the painting of the text.

Another good factor in pairing the text with the tune is the usage of dotted rhythm to balance the music throughout. The dotted rhythm serves as an irresistible invitation to sing. It elevates the tune and makes it sound nice.

Moreover, it adds the feel of a real punch to the music flow. The effect of this dotted rhythm is great on the first note of every line, notably on the opening “Come”.

The Composer Of The Tune

Sir George Job Elvey (1816–1893) 

Sir George Job Elvey composed the popular tune St. George’s Windsor commonly used for this hymn.

He was an English composer and organist. He served as the choirmaster and organist at St George’s Chapel. The position he held for a good 47 years starting from 1835 to 1882.

Sir George Job Elvey was born in1816 to a musical family in Canterbury. His journey into music started at Canterbury Cathedral as a chorister.

He later studied organ with his brother at New College, Oxford. Also, He studied under William Crotch and Cipriani Potter at the Royal Academy of Music.

He was so precocious in his organ study that he became a skillful organist at the age of 17. Consequently, he assumed a temporary duty of organist at Christ Church, Magdalen, and New College, Oxford.

Afterward, he was appointed as the Organist and choirmaster at St George’s Chapel in 1835 when he was 19 years old.

Also, he became the private organist to the wife of King Henry William IV, Queen Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen. Thereafter, he was appointed as Queen Alexandrina Victoria’s private organist.

He later studied at New College, Oxford, and received a Bachelor of Music (1838) and a Doctor of Music (1840).

He composed his Festival March for the wedding of Princess Louise in 1871 and was knighted due to his musical contributions.

Besides St. George’s Windsor tune, Sir George Job Elvey composed other popular hymn tunes. One of them is “Diademata ” used with the text of “Crown Him With Many Crowns’ ‘ and also the “Soldiers of Christ Arise” hymn.

Come, Ye Thankful People, Come Hymn Text

1. Come, ye thankful people, come,
raise the song of harvest home;
all is safely gathered in,
ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide
for our wants to be supplied;
come to God’s own temple, come,
raise the song of harvest home.

2. All the world is God’s own field,
fruit as praise to God we yield;
wheat and tares together sown
are to joy or sorrow grown;
first the blade and then the ear,
then the full corn shall appear;
Lord of harvest, grant that we
wholesome grain and pure may be.

3. For the Lord our God shall come,
and shall take the harvest home;
from the field shall in that day
all offenses purge away,
giving angels charge at last
in the fire the tares to cast;
but the fruitful ears to store
in the garner evermore.

4. Even so, Lord, quickly come,
bring thy final harvest home;
gather thou thy people in,
free from sorrow, free from sin,
there, forever purified,
in thy presence to abide;
come, with all thine angels, come,
raise the glorious harvest home.

Come, Ye Thankful People, Come Hymn MP3

Click on the link here and listen to the hymn: Come, Ye Thankful People, Come Arranged by Michael D. Costello for Choir, Organ, Brass Quartet, and Timpani


At Phamox Music, we go all out for exactness and honesty. For this purpose, if by any means you found any possible glitch, be it factual, editorial or something that we need to update, kindly contact us.


Share

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *