Hymn #359: O God, Who Teaches Us to Live

Thomas Merrell Hunter (b. 1946) created this hymn text to honor teachers, those in both Sunday schools and secular schools.  After acknowledging God’s role as teacher, the text offers “thanks and praise” for the contributions of all teachers and for those who participate in the learning process.
            

Tom Hunter was ordained as a United Church of Christ minister in 1972.  His ministry is realized through sharing music with students in schools, following the model of “minstrels” of old.  Hunter works from his home base in Bellingham, Washington.
            

William Croft (1678-1727) is believed to have written this tune, ST. ANNE, in 1708 while serving as organist at St. Anne’s Church, Soho, London, England.  Tradition holds that Anne was the mother of the virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus.
            

William Croft was one of the outstanding organists and composers of the eighteenth century.  Early in his career he wrote music for the theater, but his true genius did not emerge until he began writing religious music.  Croft composed the earliest examples of the English psalm tune, which have endured for nearly three centuries.

RSS Feeds