Sounding ChildhoodMain Menu30 Selections from the Top Ranking Hymns for ChildrenAlphabetical Index of Hymn TitlesScoresRecordingsTimelineCredits, 2015 Recording & WebsiteCredits, Permissions and CopyrightWorks CitedRehearsal VideosPart 2--Songs for School and PlayPart 3--Bands of Mercy SongsAlisa Clapp-ItnyreAlisa Clapp-Itnyre ea81b58f96dc50ac6f0312cb8dfd4bbc7d5bfddcSOUNDING VICTORIAN Project 2016
Sun of my soul, Thou Saviour dear
12017-06-23T17:33:47+00:00Donal Hegartyd91ac6951fc09687a65f62d6a62eb9d3c37c260311Score from: [Brock, Mrs. Carey, ed.] The Children’s Hymn Book for Use in Children’s Services, Sunday Schools, and Families. Published under the Revision of the Right Rev.’s W. Walsham How, Ashton Oxenden, and John Ellerton. London: Rivingtons, Waterloo, 1878. Print.plain2017-06-23T17:33:47+00:00Donal Hegartyd91ac6951fc09687a65f62d6a62eb9d3c37c2603
The third most popular hymn for children, in 42% of hymnals, began its life as personal poem of religious reflection by the Tractarian leader John Keble: “Sun of my soul, my Saviour dear,” published in The Christian Year, 1827. It corresponds to other “evening hymns” with its symbolism of the Christ-as-Sun simile, one who mitigates nighttime fears: “It is not night if Thou be near.” The first person invites a very personal connection with Christ as do metaphorical images of sleeping “on my Saviour’s breast.” Repetition and parallelism augment this poem clearly intended for the adult in its poetic maturity. Children are only twice indirectly alluded to: “If some poor wandering child of thine/ Have spurned to-day the voice divine” (v. 4) and the peace which becomes “every mourner’s sleep to-night/ Like infant’s slumbers, pure and light” (v. 5), both implicating every person as God’s “child.” Like other Tractarian writings, the poetry is intricate and cloaked with symbolism. The tune “Hursley” from the German and set to the text in 1855 (“Hursley” was Keble’s parish) has a soothing somberness better appreciated by children, perhaps, even if the poetics belie its intended audience. At least it is a simple and memorable melody and easy for children to learn.
More discussion of this hymn can be found in Chapter 3, British Hymn Books for Children.
