362. Bless the four corners of this house
Arthur Guiterman, 1871-1943
A poem for use in the dedication of a Christian home, first printed in House and Garden magazine about thirty years ago. Since then it has become widely known both here and abroad. Its first use as a hymn was in the Methodist Hymnal of 1935, edited by Dr. Robert McCutchan.
The author, Arthur Guiterman, was a writer, poet, and speaker. He was born in Vienna, Austria, November 20, 1871, of American parents, his mother being a native of Ohio. Most of his education was received in New York City, his college course having been completed in the City College. Guiterman was a frequent contributor to Harper’s Magazine, The Saturday Evening Post, The Youth’s Companion, Ladies Home Journal, and other leading magazines. His poetry is written on a large variety of subjects. Joyce Kilmer characterized him as “the most American of poets.”
MUSIC. ICH SINGE DIR is a familiar melody in the Gesangbuch mit Noten where it appears anonymously, set to the words, “Ich singe Dir mit Herz und Mund,” by Paul Gerhardt.