July 4

On July 4, 5 anniversaries fall in the history of the hymns in this library: Andrew of Crete died in 740; Christian Fürchtegott Gellert was born in 1715; John Cennick died in 1755; James McGranahan was born in 1840; Eliza Holmes Reed died in 1867.

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.

Andrew of Crete, who died on this day in 740, is remembered in this library for the hymn “Christian! Dost Thou See Them”.

Christian Fürchtegott Gellert, who was born on this day in 1715, is remembered in this library for the hymn “Jesus Lives! Thy Terrors Now”.

John Cennick, who died on this day in 1755, is remembered in this library for the hymns “The Pilgrim's Song”, “The Way to Canaan” and “Christ the Burden of the Song”.

James McGranahan, who was born on this day in 1840, is remembered in this library for the tunes CHRIST RETURNETH and I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED.

Eliza Holmes Reed, who died on this day in 1867, is remembered in this library for the hymn “O Why Not Tonight?”.

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.