[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!
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[Hymns] Famous Hymns and Sacred Songs. Recommended Hymns and Sacred Songs (21–30)
At the end of the wilderness
This is a captivating number with a majestic, melancholic sound reminiscent of a Western.
It’s the song that brought singer Yuzo Yamashita to wide recognition.
Released in November 1972 as the theme for the TV period drama “Hissatsu Shikakenin,” it’s included on the album “Uta, Sono Shuppatsu” (Song, Its Departure).
In the desolate world painted by the lyricist, the protagonist’s profound inner spirit—bearing a merciless fate yet holding fast to his convictions—is conveyed through Yamashita’s richly emotive vocals.
The dramatic structure, ascending from silence to a climactic peak, is breathtaking.
It’s a soul-stirring track for those who want to immerse themselves in highly narrative music.
Hymnal, Second Volume No. 1: “Lift Up Your Hearts”Henrī Montegyū Batorā
This is a hymn text written in 1881 by Henry Montagu Butler, a British scholar and clergyman.
Befitting a hymn, it expresses trust and devotion to God, singing of the importance of lifting our hearts high toward Him.
The words are often sung to “Woodlands,” a tune composed by Walter Greatorex in 1916.
It has also been widely adopted as a school song and is familiar to younger generations.
Butler served as Head Master of Harrow School and as Master of Trinity College, Cambridge, and perhaps his experience as an educator is reflected in the lyrics.
It’s a piece that seems likely to give you courage when your heart is weary.
JerusalemHubert Parry
With a powerful orchestral performance and massed chorus, the hymn “Jerusalem” evokes the grandeur of Britain’s history and nature.
Its lyrics are drawn from “Milton,” a poem by the 18th-century poet William Blake, and it was set to music in 1916 by the British composer Charles Parry.
In the UK, it is cherished by the public as a “second national anthem” and is almost invariably performed at major national events.
Guide Me Oh Thou Great RedeemerCharlotte Church
“Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer,” a famous song by Charlotte Church, the Welsh diva who debuted as a prodigy singer at the age of 12.
One major reason Christians continue in their faith is that God guides them.
In our daily lives, we are constantly making choices, and the accumulation of those choices becomes our life.
Of course, in making choices we sometimes hesitate or suffer, and we may lose sight of the right path.
This song praises God, who guides us in such times.
my soulCharles Wesley
It is a representative work by Charles Wesley, a leader of the Methodist movement—an evangelical revival within the Church of England.
Throughout his life he composed many hymns, and this hymn is among the most famous in Britain.
It was written shortly after Charles Wesley’s conversion and published in 1740 under the title “In Times of Trial.” There is a view that it was composed amid the dangers of persecution against the Methodist movement, and it is a hymn that seeks God’s protection.
Hymn No. 312: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”Charles Crozat Converse
This is a beloved hymn by Charles Crozat Converse, who also worked as a lawyer.
The original lyrics are said to have been written by someone who suffered the profound sorrow of losing a fiancée twice.
The warm, enveloping melody—overflowing like a prayer to a friend who shares every burden—soothes the heart.
Composed around 1868, the piece’s composer, Converse, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 1895.
It’s a recommended song to listen to when you want to quietly reflect or drift off to sleep with a sense of peace.
Hymn No. 98: ‘Glory to God in the Highest’Felix Mendelssohn
Known as a quintessential hymn celebrating Christmas, this piece has a profound historical background.
The lyrics were written by Charles Wesley in 1739 and later revised by George Whitefield.
The melody was adapted from part of a cantata composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1840.
In 1855, William H.
Cummings shaped it into the form we know today, leading to its wide popularization.
The hymn celebrates the reconciliation between God and humanity through the birth of Christ, the coming of peace and mercy, and the dawning of a new light of life.
Its beautiful melody and powerful message enhance the atmosphere of the holy night and deeply move listeners.
It is sung in many churches during the Christmas season and continues to be loved by Christians around the world.