The Come & Praise and With Cheerful Voice hymn books would be taken from trays and carried down to the hall as we got ready to sing classics like Colours of Day, Give Me Oil in My Lamp and Lord of the Dance.

There is no need for a projector.... and sitting cross legged on the floor while you read the story optional! This hymn was written as a response to a crisis in the Church of South Africa, when the first Bishop of Natal denounced much of the Bible as being fictitious. This inspired Samuel Stone to write a set of hymns based on the Apostle’s Creed, of which this hymn is one. It is typically set to the tune, “Aurelia” by Samuel Sebastian Wesley. This ever-popular Australian contemporary worship song first appeared in 2006 on a best-selling album of the same name. The lyrics tell of the might of Jesus and of God conquering the grave. A patriotic hymn known especially from the Last Night of the Proms. The hymn has caused much controversy with its different interpretations. In the most common, Blake implies that a visit by Jesus would create heaven, in contrast to the “dark Satanic Mills”. The tune was famously orchestrated by Sir Edward Elgar.The hymn writer, Fanny Crosby and the American composer, Phoebe Knapp were friends. Knapp had written the tune “Blessed Assurance” which she played to Crosby, who then wrote the words that we know so well today. The text reflects the author’s walk of faith. This hymn was written in 1835 by Charlotte Elliot as an expression of her own faith in God, despite many worldly anxieties. The hymn has been set to a number of different tunes, but Arthur Brown’s 1890 composition “Saffron Walden” has become the tune of choice for most people. One in peak popularity around Harvest Festival season (who remembers taking a tin or two into school for them?), number 2 on our list is instantly recogniseable from its "so I mustn't forget, no I mustn't forget" chorus

The inspiration for this popular worship song by American writer Paul Baloche is said to have come during a church service when the minister began prayers with the request, “Open the eyes of our hearts, Lord, that we may see you.” This paraphrase of Psalm 23 was written in 1868 by the Baronet hymn writer, Sir Henry Baker and has remained a firm favourite ever since. It is normally sung to the tune “Dominus Regit Me” by J.B. Dykes, but it is also often paired with the Irish folk tune, “St Columba”. Words: Mrs C.F.Alexander; Tunes: Royal Oak – Traditional arr.Martin Shaw; All Things Bright and Beautiful – W.H.Monk

C

Like all the others on our list, this hymn has a chorus that once it's in your head, you'll struggle to get it out.

This hymn was written to be sung at the dedication of a church. The imagery is of Christians being spoken of as living stones that are being built into Christ’s church. The tune “Westminster Abbey” is taken from the final section of Henry’s Purcell’s anthem, “O God, Thou art my God”.

Available titles

Perhaps the most famous and widely used of all the paraphrases of Psalm 23, this hymn, known as Crimond, is constantly being used at both weddings and funerals and tells of God being with us wherever we are. The tune “Crimond” was written by Jessie Seymour Irvine who was the daughter of a priest who served for a time at Crimond-the-Town. This hymn was written by New York lawyer Horatio Spafford and inspired by a family tragedy, after four of his daughters died in a steamship accident. It is remarkable that as he dealt with his grief, his faith never faltered. This ever-popular hymn, written by the cleric, Henry Francis Lyte, draws its inspiration and themes from Psalm 103. It is set to music by sometime organist of St Paul’s Cathedral, Sir John Goss. It is used regularly on National and State occasions. One of England’s most patriotic hymns, the text was written by a diplomat – Sir Cecil Spring-Rice – and it describes how a Christian owes his loyalties to both his homeland and the Kingdom of Heaven. The tune “Thaxted” is an adaptation by Gustav Holst of a part of Jupiter from his Planets suite.

Come and Praise is a hymnal published by the BBC and widely used in collective worship in British schools. This simple hymn speaks of the union between the work of the Holy Spirit and the Bible. It is set to the traditional Scottish folk song, “Skye Boat Song” which makes it easy to sing.

Open Library

Memorable lyrics include: "He's got my brothers and my sisters in his hands," and "He's got the rivers and the mountains in His hands, He's got the oceans and the seas in His hands." 2. Autumn Days This spiritual song asking God to help people in need is often sung around campfires and by folk groups. It means “Come By Here” and was first recorded in the 1920s. The inspiration behind this worship song by Laura Story was the beauty of creation and John, Chapter 3 Verse 8. The song was given greater exposure when it was recorded by Chris Tomlin in 2004.