401. Father in heav’n who lovest all
Rudyard Kipling, 1865-1936
“The Children’s Hymn,” in Kipling’s Puck of Pook’s Hill, published in 1906. It was written for boys, but is suitable also for adults. Permission to use the hymn in the Hymnary was granted by Mrs. Kipling on condition that all eight stanzas, unaltered, be used.
Rudyard Kipling, famous English writer, was born in Bombay, India, and died in Sussex, England. After receiving his education in England, he returned to India to engage in journalism and became widely known for his short stories, novels, children’s books, histories, and books of travel. The Nobel Prize for Literature was awarded him in 1907, and he received honorary degrees from universities all over the world. His Jungle Book, Just-So Stories, Puck of Pook’s Hill, Rewards and Fairies made him beloved of all children. His writings extol the virtues of clean living and manly duty which make a nation great. However, his passionate patriotism made him pen the unfortunate lines:
“O East is East and West is West
And ne’er the twain shall meet”
a prophecy completely discredited by the world events of recent years.
MUSIC. HEBRON. For comments on Lowell Mason, the composer of this tune, see [Hymn 12].