Good morning! Welcome to Songs for Sunday!

This hymn is one of two that have been running around in my head for a few weeks. I decided to research it a little and share it with you. I’ll probably do the other one next week.

Send the Light

There’s a call comes ringing over the restless wave,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
There are souls to rescue there are souls to save,
Send the light! Send the light!

Refrain

Send the light, the blessèd Gospel light;
Let it shine from shore to shore!
Send the light, the blessèd Gospel light;
Let it shine forevermore!

We have heard the Macedonian call today,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
And a golden offering at the cross we lay,
Send the light! Send the light!

Refrain

Let us pray that grace may everywhere abound,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
And a Christlike spirit everywhere be found,
Send the light! Send the light!

Refrain

Let us not grow weary in the work of love,
“Send the light! Send the light!”
Let us gather jewels for a crown above,
Send the light! Send the light!

Refrain

I can remember singing this in church as a kid. I loved it then, and I still do.  The song is about spreading the gospel; fulfilling the Great Commission to “go and tell”.

The “Macedonian call” in verse 2 refers to something recorded in Acts 16.

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. (Acts 16:6-10).

According to Cyber Hymnal.org, “Send the Light” was written by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel in 1890. He was a composer, music teacher, choir director and music publisher. You can find more information about him, as well as a list of many of his works here.

Like they do today, music publishers of the 19^th century published song books that contained works by many different people. However, they did not have access to the number of talented men and women we do today.

Composers and lyricists often used pen names in order to give the impression there were more people composing and writing than actually existed. Charles Gabriel used at least three: H. A. Henry, Charlotte. G. Homer, and S. B. Jackson. In comparison, Fanny Crosby wrote under at least fifty.

Here is a nice youtube video of “Send the Light” performed by the Corban University Chamber Orchestra, Concert Band, and Concert Choir.

See you in church!

Connie