# What is your favorite Hymn? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 21, 2016, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-hymn/743772 "2016-01-21T13:14:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-hymn/743772/1 "2016-01-21T13:14:46Z")
Hymns are a special category within Gospel music. They are typically found in church hymnals. Hence the name. 🙂 Alan Jackson released 2 CD’s of hymns. Both were very big sellers. [His album _Precious Memories_](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precious_Memories_%28Alan_Jackson_album%29) charted number 1 on the country charts in 2006. [Volume II released in 2013 charted #5.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Precious_Memories_Volume_II) My favorite hymn changes occasionally. Lately it’s been the Irish Hymn _Be Thou My Vision_. The best two covers are [Alison Krauss and Union Station](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKPwYAa6F-o) It’s my favorite. I play it every morning before getting out of bed. [This Celtic version is very good too.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIMhshpf0Y4) Nominate your favorite hymn. I’ll take the top six and make a poll to pick the most favorite next week. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-hymn/743772/2 "2016-01-21T13:21:33Z")
_My Song Is Love Unknown_. I collect hymnals. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-hymn/743772/3 "2016-01-21T13:35:32Z")
“Lift Every Voice and Sing.” My first thought, anyway. Certainly about the most fun to sing, and the only hymn in the Episcopal hymnal I know by number (it is 599…sounds like a price). “Be Thou My Vision” is wonderful as well. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-hymn/743772/4 "2016-01-21T14:04:52Z")
“Be Not Afraid,” “Here I Am, Lord,” and “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace.” (You can tell I grew up Catholic in the 70s-80s!) “Here I Am, Lord” is probably the winner. ---
**Author:** ![kanicbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f8ce5/32.png) [@kanicbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kanicbird)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-hymn/743772/5 "2016-01-21T14:10:29Z")
“Starchild” is the only one I really like. I generally am disappointed with hymns as they seem to be made for angels to sing them, which they do really well, but it takes a very skilled human to be able to make most be enjoyable to hear IMHO ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-hymn/743772/6 "2016-01-21T14:31:25Z")
“Angel Band.” ---
**Author:** ![Ignotus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecc23a/32.png) [@Ignotus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ignotus)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-hymn/743772/7 "2016-01-21T14:52:08Z")
_Work, for the night is coming_. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-hymn/743772/8 "2016-01-21T15:11:24Z")
**Sing With All The Saints In Glory** - it will be the recessional at my funeral. Ode to Joy is the bomb. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-hymn/743772/9 "2016-01-21T15:30:40Z")
[Christ is Risen! Hallelujah!](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi92ciKm7vKAhWFVyYKHf36Dg0QtwIIHDAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DEdwQV54AEk4&usg=AFQjCNFdfRWpsk5jRwjVJOCOIWC34C6swg&sig2=eaJu-umzyMPs1nTXeSN1NQ) because we sing every Easter and I pretend I can hit the high note. [I Am the Bread of Life](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwimhsLdm7vKAhUE4SYKHXTnD3QQtwIIIjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DEXd0rNU3IzU&usg=AFQjCNEJ_jwtd6zpgeFW9Y0JaSN1zUKcCw&sig2=VhEucEHRnAIwYxJjJBlQjQ&bvm=bv.112064104,d.eWE) is good for a Communion hymn. [O Holy Night](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwijq5eQnLvKAhUB5CYKHfAyDXcQyCkIHjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D7OZ5MoUXKgc&usg=AFQjCNEx0_LCZyXmA1wKrwQj3jDybaD8KQ&sig2=mLX9pG28lEJ7gYh1Q9OkNw&bvm=bv.112064104,d.eWE) is Christmas. His granddaughters sang [Untitled Hymn](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjZ1KC8nLvKAhUCMSYKHVL7BksQyCkIHjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D0_hV8L65Rqo&usg=AFQjCNEzmYS6Crx5ZPmtjYaS6LLxHEEpXA&sig2=YAj23V3ig6Q9Th981YFLeA&bvm=bv.112064104,d.eWE) at my uncle’s funeral, and that was the last time I cried. Others too numerous to mention. I can’t sing worth a darn, but > [@](#): > > When you sing in church, to the Lord it sounds as good as you intend it to be. Let’s hope so. To the family two pews over who only comes to church on Christmas and Easter, probably not. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-hymn/743772/10 "2016-01-21T15:39:09Z")
It is Well With My Soul. Knowing the backstory that [Horatio Spafford wrote it shortly after learning all four of his daughters died in a shipwreck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Is_Well_with_My_Soul), it’s hard for me not to get choked up hearing it. ---
**Author:** ![Doyle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doyle/32/439_2.png) [@Doyle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doyle)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-hymn/743772/11 "2016-01-21T15:46:34Z")
[A Mighty Fortress Is Our God](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGkLyq3qmqA) Written by Martin Luther. I feel sorry for Catholics. I go to a large Episcopal cathedral with a large, booming organ pipe organ and when this cranks up it almost shakes the building. Fabulous. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-hymn/743772/12 "2016-01-21T15:49:26Z")
Is _Amazing Grace_ considered a hymn? If so, it’s this card-carrying atheist’s favorite hymn. If not, then _Ave Maria_. I guess I only hear hymns at funerals. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-hymn/743772/13 "2016-01-21T15:51:32Z")
> [@Doyle](#): > > [A Mighty Fortress Is Our God](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGkLyq3qmqA) > > Written by Martin Luther. I feel sorry for Catholics. We sang this in the Catholic church I grew up attending. Must have been during some ecumenical phase in the late 60’s. ---
**Author:** ![stillownedbysetters](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@stillownedbysetters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stillownedbysetters)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-hymn/743772/14 "2016-01-21T16:03:55Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > We sang this in the Catholic church I grew up attending. Must have been during some ecumenical phase in the late 60’s. So did we. And it’s a favorite of mine, too. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-hymn/743772/15 "2016-01-21T16:27:11Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > “Be Not Afraid,” “Here I Am, Lord,” and “Make Me a Channel of Your Peace.” (You can tell I grew up Catholic in the 70s-80s!) > > “Here I Am, Lord” is probably the winner. Wow. You picked like exactly the same three I would have. Also grew up Catholic in the 80s. I might add “On Eagle’s Wings.” ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-hymn/743772/16 "2016-01-21T16:30:56Z")
“A Mighty Fortress” I guess I’m a good Lutheran ;). ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-hymn/743772/17 "2016-01-21T16:35:43Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Wow. You picked like exactly the same three I would have. Also grew up Catholic in the 80s. I might add “On Eagle’s Wings.” Make you to shi-ine like the SUUUUUUN! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-hymn/743772/18 "2016-01-21T16:37:47Z")
Boring, but _ **Amazing Grace** _ and _ **Will The Circle Be Unbroken** _. ---
**Author:** ![Yodalicious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yodalicious/32/8195_2.png) [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-hymn/743772/19 "2016-01-21T16:38:28Z")
Battle Hymn of the Republic ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2016, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-hymn/743772/20 "2016-01-21T16:43:21Z")
Don’t know if it’s actually my favorite, but I sometimes like to sing “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” in the shower, in as deep a voice as I can muster. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-your-favorite-hymn/743772.md?page=2)