180. Pray when the morn is breaking
Mrs. Jane Cross Simpson, 1811-86
and others
A hymn setting forth the idea of prayer in a very simple way.
Jane Cross Simpson was the daughter of James Bell, a Glasgow attorney. In 1837, she married her cousin J. B. Simpson, of Glasgow. At the age of 20, she had written a poem, “Go when the morning shineth,” which, after some revision, had become popular. When Songs of Praise, an important English hymnbook, was in the making, this poem was again revised to make the present hymn. The “others” referred to are responsible for the revision and according to Songs of Praise Discussed consisted of Percy Dearmer, Stephen Gwynn, Mabel Dearmer, and Jan Struther.
MUSIC. MEIRIONYDD is a vigorous tune of easy rhythm, on the pattern of many Welsh tunes except that the last two lines, instead of being simple repeats of the first two lines, as in the majority of such melodies, are varied imitations of them.
The composer, William Lloyd, 1786-1852, a Welshman, was a self-educated man. Though a cattle-dealing farmer, he possessed an excellent voice and had a considerable knowledge of music. He held singing meetings and conducted music classes in Wales.
181. Dear Lord and Father of mankind
John Greenleaf Whittier, 1807-92
A song of quietude and peace, reflecting the inner life of the “Quaker Poet.”