Contents
- How Great Thou Art – The History of the Hymn
- The Meaning Behind the Hymn
- The Story of the Hymn’s Composer
- The Hymn’s Place in Worship
- The Hymn’s Impact on Culture
- The Hymn’s Legacy
- Free Piano Sheet Music for How Great Thou Art
- The Best Recordings of How Great Thou Art
- The Hymn in Popular Culture
- How to Play How Great Thou Art on Piano
How Great Thou Art is a Christian hymn based on a Swedish poem written by Carl Boberg in 1885. The melody was composed by Swedish musician Viktor Hartman in 1887.
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How Great Thou Art – The History of the Hymn
How Great Thou Art is a Christian hymn based on a Swedish poem written by Carl Boberg (1859-1940) in 1885. The poem was inspired by an incident Boberg witnessed in the countryside of Sweden. It is uncertain when or where the hymn was first translated into English, but it was popularized by George Beverly Shea and Cliff Richard in the 20th century. The hymn has been translated into many languages and recorded by hundreds of artists, making it one of the most popular hymns of all time.
The Meaning Behind the Hymn
The hymn “How Great Thou Art” was originally written in Swedish by Carl Boberg in 1885. The title of the hymn comes from the first line in the original Swedish text, “O Store Gud” which translates to “O great God.” The hymn was translated into English in 1958 by Stuart K. Hine.
The hymn is based on Psalm 8 in the Bible which speaks of how God created the world and how mankind is made in His image. The hymn reflects on God’s greatness and how we are His children made in His image. The hymn is a reminder of how great God is and how He loves us unconditionally.
The Story of the Hymn’s Composer
The hymn “How Great Thou Art” has been a favorite of Christians for many years. The history of the hymn, however, is not as well known. The composer of the hymn, Carl Boberg, was born in Sweden in 1859. As a young man, he worked as a journalist and was an active member of the Swedish parliament. In 1885, while Carl was on a walk with some friends, a storm began to form. The thunder and lightning were so spectacular that Carl was inspired to write a poem about God’s power and majesty. He titled his poem “O store Gud” (“O great God”).
The Hymn’s Place in Worship
“How Great Thou Art” is a Christian hymn based on a Swedish poem written by Carl Boberg (1859–1940) in Mönsterås, Sweden in 1885. The composition was published with nine stanzas of eight lines each in the land of its birth. In 1928, English evangelicals Stuart K. Hine and Shirley Erena Murray visited Stockholm on a crusade. Murray heard the congregation singing “How Great Thou Art” and was deeply moved by the hymn. She asked if she could take the hymn home with her, and Boberg later granted permission for an English translation to be made.
Hine’s translation first appeared in England in 1933 under the title “O Mighty God” in a Church of England hymn book, Hymns for Prayer and Praise. It quickly gained popularity among English-speaking congregations, and Boberg eventually granted permission for it to be included in any hymnal or songbook. In 1941,igrating to America, Hine published a second volume of his work entitled Spirituals Triumphant that contained his version of “How Great Thou Art.” The hymn quickly became popular among Protestant churches in America, particularly those with a Wesleyan or Evangelical tradition.
The tune most often associated with “How Great Thou Art” was composed by Sergei Vstood out as being particularly well suited to the anthem’s lyrics. The song became widely known when it was performed by George Beverly Shea at Billy Graham crusades in the 1950s and 1960s. Graham would often tell the story of how he first heard Shea sing the anthem at a crusade in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1955. Graham was so moved by Shea’s performance that he included the hymn in all of his future crusades.
The Hymn’s Impact on Culture
How Great Thou Art is a Christian hymn based on a Swedish poem written by Carl Boberg in 1885. The hymn originally had eight verses, but only the first three verses are commonly sung today. The hymn became popular in the English-speaking world after being translated into English by Anglican minister George Purvis in 1885. It was first published in the United States in 1909. The hymn has been recorded by many different artists over the years and has been performed at a variety of events, including presidential inaugurations and funerals.
How Great Thou Art has had a significant impact on popular culture. The hymn was featured prominently in the 1971 film Billy Jack and has been covered by a number of different artists, including Elvis Presley, Carrie Underwood, and Michael W. Smith. The hymn was also used in the popular television series Touched by an Angel and was featured in an episode of the Simpsons. In recent years, the hymn has been used in a number of political campaigns, including Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign.
The Hymn’s Legacy
How Great Thou Art is a Christian hymn based on a Swedish traditional melody and a poem written by Carl Boberg (1859-1940) in Mönsterås, Sweden in 1885.
Anglo-American artist George Beverly Shea popularized the song in the English-speaking world outside of Scandinavia when he first sang it at Billy Graham’s New York Crusade in May 1957. The original lyrics had eight stanzas, but Mr. Shea chose to sing only the first, third, fourth and last stanzas.
Since then, many other artists have recorded their own versions of How Great Thou Art and the hymn has seen wide usage within Christian churches around the world. The hymn continues to be a staple inBilly Graham Crusades as well as other evangelistic events. It was also used duringPope John Paul II’s funeral in 2005.
Free Piano Sheet Music for How Great Thou Art
If you’re looking for free piano sheet music for How Great Thou Art, you’ve come to the right place! This beloved hymn is perfect for beginner and intermediate pianists alike, and we have several different versions available for you to choose from.
One of the most popular versions is the arrangement by Carl Boberg, which was reportedly a favorite of Johan Sebastian Bach. Another well-known version is by David Bruce, which features a more challenging chord progression.
And if you’re feeling really adventurous, you can try your hand at the arrangement by Jarrod Radnich, which was featured on “The Simpsons”.
So whatever your skill level, we hope you’ll find the perfect sheet music for How Great Thou Art right here!
The Best Recordings of How Great Thou Art
While it’s impossible to choose an definitive favorite recording of “How Great Thou Art,” we’ve compiled a list of our favorite covers of the hymn. From Aretha Franklin to George Beverly Shea, these are some of the most beautiful and moving performances of the much-loved hymn.
The Hymn in Popular Culture
How Great Thou Art is a Christian hymn based on a Swedish poem written by Carl Boberg in 1885. It was translated into English and first published in 1911 as part of a collection of missionary songs. The hymn has been recorded by many artists over the years, and it was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2006.
The hymn is based on Psalm 8, which begins with the words “O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Who hast set thy glory above the heavens.” The hymn is often sung at funerals, and it has been used in popular culture in movies and television shows.
The hymn was first recorded by George Beverly Shea in 1955, and it was later popularized by Elvis Presley when he sang it at his concert in Memphis in 1972. The live version of the song was released as a single, and it reached number one on the Billboard chart. It was also included on Presley’s album How Great Thou Art, which won the Grammy Award for Best Sacred Performance.
The hymn has been recorded by many other artists over the years, including Mahalia Jackson, Dolly Parton, Andrea Bocelli, Amy Grant, Glen Campbell, Josh Groban, Celine Dion, and Carrie Underwood. It was also used in the movies The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) and Amazing Grace (2006).
How to Play How Great Thou Art on Piano
“How Great Thou Art” is a Christian hymn based on a Swedish traditional melody and a poem written by Carl Boberg (1859–1940) in Mönsterås, Sweden in 1885. The melody was found in the countryside and the poem was inspired by an event where Boberg witnessed the magnificent beauty of a sunset over Lake Vänern.
The hymn was first translated into English from Swedish by English missionary Stuart K. Hine, who also added two original verses of his own. It was popularized in the English-speaking world by George Beverly Shea and Cliff Barrows during the Billy Graham crusades. It has been arranged and translated into many languages and remains a popular hymn today.
The hymn “How Great Thou Art” is often sung in worship services and at Christian events such as funerals, graduations, and Easter Sunday services. It is also commonly played on the piano. If you would like to learn how to play “How Great Thou Art” on piano, you can use the free sheet music provided below.