He was a preacher, so what he wrote may have been intended to communicate something musically that he was addressing from the pulpit also. The Englishman Charles Silvester Horne (see Horne’s native English flag here) evidently envisioned the congregants in a London suburb’s church to whom he preached joining with him as he sang “Sing We the King” in the early years of the 20th Century. Some 100 years later, the American Billy Foote took Horne’s hymn and recast a few words (including the title – “Sing to the King”) and employed a new tune to refresh its use, but its purpose has remained unchanged. Draw those who are gathered to appreciate Him, what He’s done, and especially what we all hope and trust He will do. While Billy’s version says something very succinct about praise, the version Charles originally wrote broadens the message to include some thoughts about how His salvation will impact the redeemed. Both versions are worthy. He just wants to hear from His people, no matter if it’s a few sentences or a meatier paragraph.
Charles presumably wrote ‘Sing We…’ while ministering and preaching at one of two churches in the London area in the first decade of the 20th Century. He was also a member of Parliament in the latter portion of this period, so he was well-accustomed to public life and how to address crowds and motivate them with his words. What precisely moved Charles to write a five-verse hymn with a chorus-refrain to use in worship is unknown, but ‘Sing We…’ is one that continues to be used a century later, including in the first few years of the 21st Century when Billy Foote’s revised version, with two verses and a chorus-refrain, was introduced. Billy’s version borrows the lyrics of Charles’ first and fifth verses with a few modifications, and then adds more changes to a chorus that coaxes believers to repeat praises to Him as King. Charles’ second through fourth verses foresee His kingdom being one in which racial divides are gone, and ‘justice and truth’ expunge all ‘wrongs’ (v.2); in which ‘peace’, ‘freedom’, and ‘wisdom’ are present, creating an environment in which ‘foe(s)’ become friends (v.3); and in which sin’s punishment is paid, while ‘doubt’, ‘death’, and ‘hell’ are overcome (v.4). Both Charles and Billy eagerly await the ‘dawn of the (that) day’ when all will sing to Him as He inaugurates the everlasting kingdom (v.5); it’s an enthusiastic ending that really builds on what is said in verse one – His reign is approaching, Jesus’ atoning death is the reason we can offer praise, and it’s a reality that is cause for all nations’ rejoicing. Both Charles and Billy were intent on making a song that casts aside all hesitation, telling a people that there need not be any lingering questions about how all this will happen. The Father and Son have done what is necessary, including removing the ‘vanquished Satan’ from the picture and elevating ‘King Jesus’ to the throne in the song’s final few words. Our part is to step forward, grab hold of the gift, and let out our loudest cheer!
Not much more needs to be explained in what Charles Horne and Billy Foote have told us. The few downbeat words in the lyrics are overwhelmed by the accomplished work of Jesus as the ‘slain Lamb’ and what that entails. These two authors-composers don’t dwell on these few negative words, and that is a life message for the hearers. We don’t have to tell ourselves that troubles don’t come along – because they do -- but rather that they shrink and ultimately vanish in the light of what’s coming. A community of believers provides an embrace for each of us when we’re hurting, but in the end, those embraces turn into linked arms that have us all marching – and indeed, skipping – together to the finish line and beyond into the victory party on the infield of the great racetrack we’re all traversing. It’s a marathon for most of us, but Charles and Billy remind us that at some point the applause will get increasingly louder, urging us on. Keep going!
Classic hymn was titled “Sing We the King” http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/s/i/n/g/k/singking.htm
See here for information on the classic hymn’s original composer-author and the verses he wrote: Sing to the King | Hymnary.org and here: Charles Silvester Horne | Hymnary.org
Also see here for information on the original composer: http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/h/o/r/n/horne_cs.htm and here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silvester_Horne
Read about the secondary composer here: Billy Foote site
See information on the England flag here: File:Flag of England.svg - Wikipedia…This work has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder. This applies worldwide.
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