[Hymns] Famous hymns and sacred songs. Recommended hymns and sacred songs.
Hymns and sacred songs beloved around the world.
Hymns and sacred songs are known as songs that praise the Christian God, but in Japan—where many people are Buddhist—their recognition is by no means high.
There are many excellent pieces, but the difficulty is that they can be hard to find.
This time, we’ve picked out some famous works among hymns and sacred songs.
We also explain in detail the background of each piece and the meaning of the lyrics, so even those without prior knowledge of hymns and sacred songs can enjoy it.
How about soothing a heart worn down by daily stress with hymns and sacred songs?
Please sit back and enjoy!
- Famous German folk song | That Japanese tune was actually a German folk song?!
- Japanese gospel: recommended Japanese songs with a gospel-like style
- Gospel singers of the world. Masterpieces of gospel music, recommended popular songs.
- [Irish Folk Songs] Surprisingly Familiar Masterpieces and Standards of Ethnic Music
- Practice songs for gospel beginners
- A cappella masterpieces: Recommended songs where beautiful harmonies shine (Western and Japanese music)
- The magnificent world of vocal artistry: a special feature on popular vocal works from opera to art songs.
- Famous Western songs everyone knows: a roundup of classic tunes you’ve heard somewhere before
- Masterpieces of Celtic music. Recommended Irish music.
- [Chorale] Masterpieces of chorales. Recommended popular pieces.
- [Western Music] Bluegrass masterpieces: recommended popular and signature songs
- Sunday songs of Western music: world classics and popular hits
- Ranking of popular songs by Libera, a British soprano unit
[Hymns] Famous hymns and sacred songs. Recommended hymns and sacred songs (61–70)
Sing It in the ValleysKevin Mayhew Ltd
When we think of hymns, we often imagine many solemn pieces with a relaxed tempo, but there are also some with a brighter tone.
“Sing It in the Valleys” is one of them, and it’s often performed with a lively rhythm.
This version is arranged for solo guitar, so you might not realize it’s a hymn just from listening.
Hymn No. 109: Silent Nightfranz Xaver Gruber
A Christmas carol beloved around the world.
The music was composed by Franz Xaver Gruber, with original lyrics by Joseph Mohr.
The famous anecdote tells that in 1818, because the church organ was broken, it was first performed with guitar accompaniment.
The serenity of a hushed, holy night and the tender love watching over the Christ child are expressed in a lullaby-like melody that gently nestles close to the heart.
Translated into more than 300 languages, its story of soldiers singing it to one another during World War I has been passed down as a symbol of peace.
Combining solemnity with warmth, this piece is perfect for quietly listening on a winter’s night when you wish to spend a calm, peaceful time.
The morning star shinesPhilipp Nicolai
Among the great masterpieces of solemn chorales, this work shines with an especially radiant sense of hope—truly worthy of the title “Queen of Hymns.” Its author, Philipp Nicolai, was both a theologian and a poet.
Around 1597, amid a desperate situation in which as many as thirty graves were dug in a single day due to a plague outbreak, he wrote this piece to bring comfort to the people.
Its majestic melody, like the morning star piercing the darkness, sinks deeply into the heart.
Published in 1599 in the hymnal Frewdenspiegel deß ewigen Lebens, it soon became widely known, and later Johann Sebastian Bach composed cantatas based on this melody.
When the heart is weary or the night is still, its sacred harmonies seem to gently enfold the soul.
Hymn No. 96: “From Jesse’s Root”
It is a carol from Germany’s Rhineland region.
It is sung during Advent (Christmas).
A man named Jesse, who appears in the Old Testament Book of Isaiah, is said to be an ancestor of Jesus Christ’s parents, and this is a song celebrating the birth of Christ, born as a descendant of Jesse.
The Lord’s My Shepherd – Tune: CrimondJohn Siderius
A hymn known in Japan by the title “The Lord Is My Shepherd,” or sometimes “The Lord Is My Shepherd (Waga Bokusha).” You may wonder what it means.
In fact, the relationship between God and people is depicted in the Bible with the metaphor of a shepherd and sheep.
In other words, God is the shepherd and we humans are the sheep.
It means that God guides us and takes care of us.