Short Name: | Cecil Frances Alexander |
Full Name: | Alexander, Cecil Frances, 1818-1895 |
Birth Year: | 1818 |
Death Year: | 1895 |
As a small girl, Cecil Frances Humphries (b. Redcross, County Wicklow, Ireland, 1818; Londonderry, Ireland, 1895) wrote poetry in her school's journal. In 1850 she married Rev. William Alexander, who later became the Anglican primate (chief bishop) of Ireland. She showed her concern for disadvantaged people by traveling many miles each day to visit the sick and the poor, providing food, warm clothes, and medical supplies. She and her sister also founded a school for the deaf. Alexander was strongly influenced by the Oxford Movement and by John Keble's Christian Year. Her first book of poetry, Verses for Seasons, was a "Christian Year" for children. She wrote hymns based on the Apostles' Creed, baptism, the Lord's Supper, the Ten Commandments, and prayer, writing in simple language for children. Her more than four hundred hymn texts were published in Verses from the Holy Scripture (1846), Hymns for Little Children (1848), and Hymns Descriptive and Devotional ( 1858).
Bert Polman
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Alexander, Cecil Frances, née Humphreys, second daughter of the late Major John Humphreys, Miltown House, co. Tyrone, Ireland, b. 1823, and married in 1850 to the Rt. Rev. W. Alexander, D.D., Bishop of Derry and Raphoe. Mrs. Alexander's hymns and poems number nearly 400. They are mostly for children, and were published in her Verses for Holy Seasons, with Preface by Dr. Hook, 1846; Poems on Subjects in the Old Testament, pt. i. 1854, pt. ii. 1857; Narrative Hymns for Village Schools, 1853; Hymns for Little Children, 1848; Hymns Descriptive and Devotional, 1858; The Legend of the Golden Prayers 1859; Moral Songs, N.B.; The Lord of the Forest and his Vassals, an Allegory, &c.; or contributed to the Lyra Anglicana, the S.P.C.K. Psalms and Hymns, Hymns Ancient & Modern, and other collections. Some of the narrative hymns are rather heavy, and not a few of the descriptive are dull, but a large number remain which have won their way to the hearts of the young, and found a home there. Such hymns as "In Nazareth in olden time," "All things bright and beautiful," "Once in Royal David's city," "There is a green hill far away," "Jesus calls us o'er the tumult," "The roseate hues of early dawn," and others that might be named, are deservedly popular and are in most extensive use. Mrs. Alexander has also written hymns of a more elaborate character; but it is as a writer for children that she has excelled.
- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
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Alexander, Cecil F., née Humphreys, p. 38, ii. Additional hymns to those already noted in this Dictionary are in common use:—
1. Christ has ascended up again. (1853.) Ascension.
2. His are the thousand sparkling rills. (1875.) Seven Words on the Cross (Fifth Word).
3. How good is the Almighty God. (1S48.) God, the Father.
4. In [a] the rich man's garden. (1853.) Easter Eve.
5. It was early in the morning. (1853.) Easter Day.
6. So be it, Lord; the prayers are prayed. (1848.) Trust in God.
7. Saw you never in the twilight? (1853.) Epiphany.
8. Still bright and blue doth Jordan flow. (1853.) Baptism of Our Lord.
9. The angels stand around Thy throne. (1848.) Submission to the Will of God.
10. The saints of God are holy men. (1848.) Communion of Saints.
11. There is one Way and only one. (1875.) SS. Philip and James.
12. Up in heaven, up in heaven. (1848.) Ascension.
13. We are little Christian children. (1848.) Holy Trinity.
14. We were washed in holy water. (1848.) Holy Baptism.
15. When of old the Jewish mothers. (1853.) Christ's Invitation to Children.
16. Within the Churchyard side by side. (1848.) Burial.
Of the above hymns those dated 1848 are from Mrs. Alexander's Hymns for Little Children; those dated 1853, from Narrative Hymns, and those dated 1875 from the 1875 edition of Hymns Ancient & Modern.
Several new hymns by Mrs. Alexander are included in the 1891 Draft Appendix to the Irish Church Hymnal.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)
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Alexander, Cecil F. , p. 38, ii. Mrs. Alexander died at Londonderry, Oct. 12, 1895. A number of her later hymns are in her Poems, 1896, which were edited by Archbishop Alexander.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)
See also in:
Texts by Cecil Frances Alexander (164) | As | Authority Languages | Instances |
---|---|---|---|
Dear Lord, on this Thy servant's day | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | 2 | |
EN lando malproksime for | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | 6 | |
From out the cloud of amber light | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | 3 | |
He cometh, on your hallowed board | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | 2 | |
I bind myself to God today | Cecil F. Alexander (1818-1895) (Alterer) | 5 | |
I bind this day to me for ever | Ho, Wicoḣaŋ ṡica (Translator and Paraphraser) | 2 | |
In the rich man's garden ground | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | 3 | |
Jesus calls us from the worship | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | 2 | |
Jesus calls us, Jesus calls us | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | 3 | |
O monte verde ali está | Cecil Frances Humphreys Alexander (Author) | 2 | |
Still bright and blue doth Jordan flow | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | 4 | |
The heavenly Father loves the birds | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | 3 | |
There was a little lowly upper room | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | 2 | |
We may not know, we cannot tell | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author (attributed to)) | 1 | |
We need thee, Savior, when dear eyes are closing | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | 3 | |
A gentle and a holy child | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 4 |
All creatures bright and beautiful | C. Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 8 |
All things beautiful and fair | Cecil Frances Alexander, 1823-1895 (Author) | English | 2 |
At Nazareth in olden time | Mrs. Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 5 |
Beyond the wicked [holy] city wall | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 8 |
Blessed are the pure in heart, They have loved the better part | Mrs. Cecil Frances Alexander, 1823-1895 (Author) | English | 6 |
Blessed were they who, in the days of old | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 2 |
Child, ere thou wander forth to play | Mrs. Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 3 |
Christ be with me, Christ within me | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 11 |
Christ is kind and gentle | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 5 |
Christian children must be holy | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 13 |
Come to our joyous marriage feast | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 2 |
Complete in Thee, no work of mine | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 1 |
Day by day the little daisy | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 2 |
Do no sinful action | C. F. Alexander (Author) | English | 61 |
Do not quarrel, do not chide | Mrs. C. F. Alexander (Author) | English | 3 |
Each day we live the Christian life | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 2 |
Each little flower that opens | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 288 |
Every morning the red sun | Mrs. C. F. Alexander, 1823-95 (Author) | English | 62 |
For all Thy saints, a noble throng | C. F. Alexander (Author) | English | 9 |
Forgive them, O my Father | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 27 |
Forsaken once, and thrice denied | Mrs. C. F. Alexander, 1823-95 (Author) | English | 10 |
Hallowed be our Father's name | Mrs. Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 3 |
He is coming, He is coming, Not as once He came before | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 38 |
He is risen, He is risen; Tell it out with joyful voice | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 99 |
His are the thousand sparkling rills | Mrs. C. F. Alexander (Author) | English | 23 |
How good is the Almighty God | Mrs. Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 3 |
Hush, little Christian child | Mrs. Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 2 |
I bind unto myself today | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 55 |
I knew a little, sickly child | Mrs. C. F. Alexander (Author) | English | 3 |
I love the little snowdrop flower | Cecil Francis Alexander (Author) | English | 3 |
I think when I read that sweet story of old (Luke) | Mrs. Jemima Thompson Luke (1813- ) (Author) | English | 2 |
If hasty hand or bitter tongue | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 2 |
Is there a little orphan child | Cecil Francis Alexander (Author) | English | 3 |
It was early in the morning of the first day of the week | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 2 |
Jerusalem, why are thy voices dumb? | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 2 |
Jesus calls us, o'er the tumult | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 852 |
Jesus came to earth from heaven, Who is God and Lord of all | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 2 |
Jesus, Holy, undefiled, Listen to a little child | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 2 |
Little birds sleep sweetly In their soft round nests | Mrs. Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 4 |
Little children must be quiet | Cecil Francis Alexander (Author) | English | 3 |
Maranatha, He is coming, Not as once He came before | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 3 |
Now the dreary night is done | Mrs. Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 3 |
O Christian child, in Christ's own church | Mrs. Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 3 |
O come, dear child, along with me | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 8 |
O, ever on our earthly path | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 2 |
O for the pearly gates of heaven | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 8 |
O happy home where Thou art loved the dearest | Cecil Frances Humphreys Alexander (Author) | English | 10 |
O Jesus, bruised and wounded more | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 19 |
O Lord, the Holy Innocents | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 14 |
O Son of God, in glory crowned | Mrs. Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 10 |
On the dark hill's western side | Mrs. Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 4 |
On the goods that are not thine | Mrs. Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 3 |
Once in baptismal waters bright | Mrs. C. F. Alexander (Author) | English | 3 |
Once in Bethlehem of Judah | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 16 |
Once in royal David's city Stood a lowly cattle-shed | Cecil Frances Alexander, 1823-1895 (Author) | English | 340 |
Pain and toil are over now | C. F. Alexander (Author) | English | 8 |
Put the spade and wheel away | Mrs. Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 3 |
Savior, blessed Savior, Listen while we sing | Mrs. C. F. Alexander (Author) | English | 2 |
Savior, to Thy cottage home | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 2 |
Saw ye never in the meadows | Alexander (Author) | English | 5 |
Saw you never, in the twilight | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 72 |
So be it, Lord, the prayers are prayed | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 4 |
Souls in heathen darkness lying | C. F. Alexander (Author) | English | 53 |
Spirit of God, that moved of old | Cecil Frances Alexander, 1823-1895 (Author) | English | 21 |
The angels stand around thy throne | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 6 |
The blind man, in his darkness | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 7 |
The board is spread with meats divine | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 2 |
The golden gates are lifted up | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 124 |
The faithful men of every land | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 5 |
The flower that in the lowly vale | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 2 |
The raven builds her nest on high | Mrs. Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 3 |
The rich man did of Pilate crave | Cecil Francis Alexander (Author) | English | 3 |
The roseate hues of early dawn | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 103 |
The saints of God are holy men | Mrs. Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 3 |
The sick man in his chamber | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 2 |
The Son of God, so high, so great | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 9 |
The sunset falls on Isaac's tent | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 2 |
The waving fields of yellow corn | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 2 |
The wildflowers in their beauty | Cecil Frances Alexander, 1818-95 (Author (vv. 2 alt., 5, and refrain)) | English | 2 |
The wise men to thy cradle throne | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 7 |
There are no little things on earth | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 2 |
There are strange countries far away | Mrs. C. F. Alexander (Author) | English | 3 |
There is a green hill far away | Cecil F. Alexander, 1823-1895 (Author) | English | 615 |
There is a land where flowers are fair | Cecil Francis Alexander (Author) | English | 3 |
There is one God, but one alone | Cecil Francis Alexander (Author) | English | 3 |
There is one way, and only one | Cecil Frances Alexander, 1818-1895 (Author) | English | 10 |
There's many a happy household band | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 2 |
Thou Power and Peace, in whom we find | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 10 |
Through many a far and foreign land | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 2 |
Thy Temple is not made with hands | C. F. Alexander (Author) | English | 9 |
Up in heaven, up in heaven | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 13 |
Wake little child, the morn is gay | Cecil Francis Alexander (Author) | English | 3 |
We are but little children weak (Alexander) | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 55 |
We are little Christian children, We can run, and talk, and play | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 19 |
We see the leaves fall withered from the trees | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 2 |
We seek a land of more delight | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 2 |
We walk amid a world of beauteous things | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 2 |
We were only little babies | Cecil Francis Alexander (Author) | English | 3 |
We were washed in holy water | Mrs. C. F. Alexander (Author) | English | 5 |
When Christ came down on earth of old | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 5 |
When Jesus came to earth of old | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 6 |
When of old the Jewish mothers | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 15 |
When thou art kneeling down at night | Mrs. Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 3 |
When we speak of the Lord Jesus | Mrs. Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 3 |
When wounded sore the stricken soul | C. F. Alexander (Author) | English | 82 |
Why do we say, Thy kingdom come | Mrs. C. F. Alexander (Author) | English | 5 |
Within the churchyard, side by side | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | English | 4 |
Within the temple's hallowed walls | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | English | 5 |
Çdo lule t’but’ që hapet | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | Albanian | 2 |
لا تفعل الإثم ولا تنطق بقول غضب | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | Arabic | 1 |
قد بدا في بيت لحم | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | Arabic | 1 |
يسوع نادى حينما | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | Arabic | 1 |
Jesus nehesevamaenė | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | Cheyenne | 2 |
每朶開放的小花 (Měi duǒ kāifàng de xiǎohuā) | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | Chinese | 4 |
遠山迢迢,其色青青,(Yuǎnshān tiáotiáo, qí sè qīngqīng,) | Cecil F. H. Alexander (Author) | Chinese | 2 |
Ho, Wicoḣaŋ ṡica | Mrs. C. F. Alexander, 1823-95 (Author) | Dakota | 2 |
Najiŋ! najiŋ ce! Iye ḥca | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | Dakota | 2 |
Unnipi taja s'a etan | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | Dakota | 2 |
En la reĝa Betlehemo | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | Esperanto | 2 |
Auferstanden, auferstanden, Sagt es allen | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | German | 2 |
Einstens ward zu Bethlehem Juda | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | German | 1 |
Es steht ein' Hügel weit von hier | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | German | 1 |
Ich kenne einen stillen Ort | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | German | 3 |
He pu'u omao aia ma o | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | Hawaiian | 3 |
Hea Iesu ia kakou la | Cecil F. Alexander, 1823-1895 (Author) | Hawaiian | 3 |
ഭംഗിയേറും സൃഷ്ടികൾ (Bhaṅgiyēṟuṁ sr̥ṣṭikaḷ) | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | Malayalam | 2 |
ജീവതത്തിൻ ആഴി മീതെ (Jīvatattin āḻi mīte) | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | Malayalam | 2 |
പട്ടണ-വാതിലപ്പുറം (Paṭṭaṇa-vātilappuṟaṁ) | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | Malayalam | 2 |
രാജൻ ദാ-വീദൂരിൽ പണ്ടു (Rājan dā-vīdūril paṇṭu) | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | Malayalam | 2 |
Cristo chama nos tumultos | Cecil Frances Humphreys Alexander (Author) | Portuguese | 2 |
Numa estrebaria rude | Cecil Frances Humphreys Alexander (Author) | Portuguese | 2 |
දාවිත්ගේ පුරෙහි වරක් (Dāvitgē purehi varak) | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | Sinhala | 2 |
A cada flor que se abre | Cecil Humphreys Alexander (1818-1895) (Author) | Spanish | 2 |
Cristo ha resucitado, ¡aleluya! | Cecil Frances Alexander, 1818-1895 (Author) | Spanish | 1 |
Cristo llama del tumulto | Cecil Frances Alexander, 1818-1895 (Author) | Spanish | 3 |
Desde el cielo Cristo llama | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | Spanish | 6 |
En Belén hubo un establo | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | Spanish | 2 |
En el Calvario, con dolor | Cecil Alexander (Author) | Spanish | 2 |
En un lejano cerro fue | Cecil Frances Alexander, 1818-1895 (Author) | Spanish | 2 |
Las flores y los pájaros criaturas son de Dios | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | Spanish | 3 |
Las flores y los pájaros Dios sólo pudo hacer | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | Spanish | 3 |
Un monte hay más allá del mar | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | Spanish | 4 |
Una vez en un establo | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author (st. 1-2, 4-6)) | Spanish | 3 |
Mjini mwake Daudi | C. F. Alexander, 1823-95 (Author) | Swahili | 2 |
Upo mlima karibu | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | Swahili | 1 |
Adda napintas a turod | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | Tagalog | 2 |
Ni Jesus ayabannatay | Cecil F. Alexander (Author) | Tagalog | 2 |
ஓர் குன்று தூர உண்டங்கே (Ōr kuṉṟu tūra uṇṭaṅkē) | Cecil Frances Alexander (Author) | Tamil | 2 |