December 24

On December 24, 4 anniversaries fall in the history of the hymns in this library: George Crabbe was born in 1754; Joseph Funk died in 1862; Leonard Bacon died in 1881; W. Howard Doane died in 1915.

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.

George Crabbe, who was born on this day in 1754, is remembered in this library for the hymn “The Christian Pilgrim”.

Joseph Funk, who died on this day in 1862, is remembered in this library for the tune FOUNDATION (FUNK).

Leonard Bacon, who died on this day in 1881, is remembered in this library for the hymns “O God, Beneath Thy Guiding Hand” and “Wake the Song of Jubilee”.

W. Howard Doane, who died on this day in 1915, is remembered in this library for the tunes MORE LOVE TO THEE, NEAR THE CROSS and PASS ME NOT O GENTLE SAVIOR.

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.