Gently Raise the Sacred Strain
146

Text: William W. Phelps (1792–1872; LDS)
Music: Thomas C. Griggs (1845–1903; LDS)
Tune name: URE

Known to millions as the hymn that begins each weekly broadcast of the Tabernacle Choir, “Gently Raise the Sacred Strain” is a tribute to the peace and blessings of the Sabbath. And what better theme song could be chosen for the broadcast? William W. Phelps and Thomas C. Griggs could not have guessed how well their hymn would echo the expectations of countless listeners who wait for the Tabernacle Choir to “raise the sacred strain” each Sunday.

In the words of George D. Pyper: “There is no dramatic story known concerning the origin of the hymn. It was no doubt written while Brother Phelps was under the spell of the Sabbath and the solemn Sacrament. It expresses gratitude for the return of the day of rest and its attendant blessings, thoughts on eternal life. . . . It sings of repentance and forgiveness” (Stories of Latter- day Saint Hymns, 129).

The hymn text first appeared in Emma Smith’s 1835 hymnal, and all six of the original verses were retained in the 1950 hymnal. The hymn as it appears in the 1985 hymnal omits two of the verses, however, since all six were seldom sung. The two omitted verses are numbers four and six of the original. The thought expressed in verse four is especially interesting, since here the peace and song of a Sabbath- day meeting are seen as a foretaste of the life that is our heavenly reward.

4. Happy type of things to come,
When the saints are gather’d home,
To praise the Lord,
In eternity of bliss,
All as one with one accord.

6. Softly sing the joyful lay
For the saints to fast and pray,
As God ordains,
For his goodness and his love
While the Sabbath day remains.

Especially significant in the “extra” verse (originally verse five) that was included as verse four in the 1985 hymnbook are these words: “Repent and live; / Though your sins be crimson red, / Oh, repent, and he’ll forgive.” These words are a beautiful extension of the sacramental image in verse three: “We bring our gifts . . . / Of broken hearts.” These two verses enlarge the functions of this hymn about the Sabbath day: it becomes a meaningful sacrament hymn as well.

Thomas Griggs’s beautiful hymn tune was first published, with these words, in the Juvenile Instructor in November 1883.