Hymn #461: Let Us Hope When Hope Seems Hopeless

David Beebe (b. 1931) wrote this hymn of hope for a worship service at the close of a creative-writing course he was teaching in 1989. Beebe had recently begun his work with the United Church of Christ Stewardship Council as associate for stewardship education.

David Beebe was born in Arkansas and ordained to the United Church of Christ ministry in 1959. He served churches in northern California and Chattanooga, Tennessee, before entering denominational work. Beebe also served as a college chaplain for six years.

Rowland Hugh Prichard (1811-1887) composed this tune and included it in his Cyfaill y Cantorion “The Singer’s Friend), which was published in 1844 to provide more-appropriate music for Sunday-school songs. The tune HYFRYDOL means “pleasant” and “melodious” in Welsh.

Rowland H. Prichard worked in the textile industry but enjoyed composing church music as his hobby. His simple yet powerful tunes were typical of his native Wales. The churches in Wales encourage singing, often a capella, and Welsh choirs produce a sound unlike any found elsewhere.