April 21

On April 21, 5 anniversaries fall in the history of the hymns in this library: Peter Abelard died in 1142; Asahel Nettleton was born in 1783; Reginald Heber was born in 1783; Henry Ware was born in 1794; Johnson Oatman, Jr. was born in 1856.

Each date below is given only where two independent sources — Hymnary.org and Wikidata — agree on the year, and the day itself comes from Wikidata. Dates before the 1750s are given as they were recorded at the time, in the Old Style calendar where that was in use.

Peter Abelard, who died on this day in 1142, is remembered in this library for the hymn “O What Their Joy and Their Glory Must Be”.

Asahel Nettleton, who was born on this day in 1783, is remembered in this library for the tune NETTLETON.

Reginald Heber, who was born on this day in 1783, is remembered in this library for the hymns “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!”, “From Greenland's Icy Mountain” and “Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning”.

Henry Ware, who was born on this day in 1794, is remembered in this library for the hymns “Lift Your Glad Voices” and “Happy the Home When God Is There”.

Johnson Oatman, Jr., who was born on this day in 1856, is remembered in this library for the hymns “Higher Ground”, “Count Your Blessings” and “He Included Me”.

Follow a name to read about the writer or composer and to sing their hymns, with the words, chords where we have them, and free accompaniment.