A Special Day of Thanks

How Great Thou Art

 

designed by Feathers in the Nest

copyright 2012

This is a reposting of special, heart-to-heart design I made last year. I have even the special order Sage Green, wide trim frame when finishing. Soon things will slow down and I can stitch models, in hopes XXX fingers!!!!

I thought I would repost again for all those that love this hymn.

I will share some of the research on this great song with you:

~it was the favorite gospel song of 3 of the US presidents

~has been performed in Broadway in New York in productions

~Lawrence Welk had stated this was the most requested song he ever had on his TV series

~it has received 2 Grammy awards

~the first major recording of the son was by Bill Carle

~in the 70's it was presented, it won an award for 1 million performances on TV and radio

~Billy Graham used this song many times in his TV broadcasts

~the song lyrics were first written as a poem in 1886

~the poem was translated into "O Great God" in English

~the first 3 verses were inspired in the Carpathian mountains

In the early 1920’s, English missionaries, Mr. Stuart K. Hine and his wife, ministered in Poland. It was there they learned the Russian version of Boberg’s poem, “O Store Gud”, coupled with the original Swedish melody. Later, under inspiration, Stuart K. Hine wrote original English words, and made his own arrangement of the Swedish melody, which became popular and is now known as the hymn, HOW GREAT THOU ART.

The first three verses were inspired, line upon line, amidst unforgettable experiences in the Carpathian Mountains. In a village to which he had climbed, Mr. Hine stood in the street singing a Gospel hymn and reading aloud “John, Chapter Three”. Among the sympathetic listeners was a local village schoolmaster. A storm was gathering, and when it was evident that no further travel could be made that night, the friendly schoolmaster offered his hospitality. Awe-inspiring was the mighty thunder echoing through the mountains, and it was this impression that was to bring about the birth of the first verse.

Pushing on, Mr. Hine crossed the mountain frontier into Romania and into Bukovina. Together with some young people, through the woods and forest glades he wandered, and heard the birds sing sweetly in the trees. Thus, the second verse came into being.

Verse three was inspired through the conversion of many of the Carpathian mountain-dwellers. The fourth Verse did not come about until Mr. Hine’s return to Britain.


Stuart K. Hine was born in 1899 in England. His parents were at that time worshipping with the Salvation Army, and dedicated him to God during a time when opposition was strong against those who proclaimed Christ.

After serving in the Armed Forces, Mr. Hine was called to the mission field. For many years he served in Poland and Czechoslovakia. It was during missionary work in these countries that Mr. Hine composed many of the songs for which he’s well-known today.

Stuart K. Hine died in 1989.

reference  http://www.mannamusicinc.com/hgta.htm


This song has always meant alot to me. If you would like to stitch this, I think Thanksgiving is the perfect time as we all have blessings bestowed among us and to thank first our Creator, is an honor.

I hope this day is special for you and that you find happiness among those you love as you get ready for the holidays.

Till later,
Jennifer