March 21

On March 21, 2 anniversaries fall in the history of the hymns in this library: Johann Sebastian Bach was born in 1685; Henry Kirke White was born in 1785.

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.

Johann Sebastian Bach, who was born on this day in 1685, is remembered in this library for the tune POTSDAM.

Henry Kirke White, who was born on this day in 1785, is remembered in this library for the hymns “The Star of Bethlehem”, “Oft In Danger, Oft In Woe” and “Majesty and Power”.

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.