December 25

On December 25, 4 anniversaries fall in the history of the hymns in this library: Orlando Gibbons was born in 1583; Nathan Strong died in 1816; W. C. Martin was born in 1864; J. Wilbur Chapman died in 1918.

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.

Orlando Gibbons, who was born on this day in 1583, is remembered in this library for the tune CANTERBURY.

Nathan Strong, who died on this day in 1816, is remembered in this library for the hymn “Swell the Anthem”.

W. C. Martin, who was born on this day in 1864, is remembered in this library for the hymns “The Name of Jesus”, “My Anchor Holds” and “I Remember Calvary”.

J. Wilbur Chapman, who died on this day in 1918, is remembered in this library for the hymn “One Day!”.

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.