Hark I Hear The Harps Eternal Lyrics
Ever belted out a hymn and found yourself humming along, not quite knowing what you're actually singing? Let's dive into one of those earworms: "Hark I Hear the Harps Eternal."
The Sound of Heaven (Apparently!)
This hymn paints a pretty vivid picture of the afterlife. Think shimmering harps, angels galore, and a whole lot of rejoicing. Sounds like a party, right?
The "Hark I Hear" bit just means "Listen! I hear!" It's like the hymn's starting with a big announcement, letting everyone know about the divine concert in full swing.
Where Did This Tune Come From?
The lyrics were penned by Elihu Root, Jr., not the famous politician with the same name! Interestingly, the younger Root was a medical doctor.
The tune, though, has a bit of a mysterious past. The melody is known as "Kingsfold". It is a traditional English folk song that was arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Imagine a bunch of folks in a pub, maybe centuries ago, singing the same basic tune as this majestic hymn. It's like finding out your grandma used to be a rock star.
Those Lyrics: A Closer (and Funnier) Look
Let's be honest, some of the old hymn lyrics can be a little… dramatic. We're talking about lines like, "Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!"
It makes you wonder if they had competitions back then for who could sound the most enthusiastic about being saved. "I'm redeemed! No, *I'm* more redeemed!"
And then there's the image of joining the "chorus which bursts from the skies." One can envision angels belting out high notes that shatter clouds. Talk about vocal power!
The "Golden Shore" and Other Celestial Real Estate
Many verses speak of the "golden shore" and mansions "bright and fair." Makes you wonder what the property values are like up there. Presumably, zero property taxes!
Is there a celestial homeowners association? Do they have rules about what kind of heavenly shrubbery you can plant outside your mansion? These are the important questions!
"And crown Him, crown Him, Lord of all."
The repetition of this line is a great example of musical persuasion. It's like the hymn is gently (or maybe not so gently) nudging you to agree that crowning him is a brilliant idea.
Why We Still Sing It
Despite the slightly over-the-top lyrics, "Hark I Hear the Harps Eternal" has staying power. The melody is beautiful and stirring. The tune also has an easy sing-along quality.
The hymn also offers comfort and hope. It paints a beautiful picture of a welcoming place where suffering ends.
So, next time you're singing "Hark I Hear the Harps Eternal," remember the surprising story behind it. Maybe even crack a smile at the thought of angels having intense choir practice. Hymns aren’t just religious songs; they are little slices of cultural history, with a dash of the absurd!
And, who knows, maybe one day you'll get to experience that celestial concert firsthand. Just remember to practice your harp scales.
