W. Chatterton Dix

W. Chatterton Dix
www.hymntime.com/tch
Short Name: W. Chatterton Dix
Full Name: Dix, W. Chatterton (William Chatterton), 1837-1898
Birth Year: 1837
Death Year: 1898

Most British hymn writers in the nineteenth century were clergymen, but William C. Dix (b. Bristol, England, 1837; d. Cheddar, Somerset, England, 1898) was a notable exception. Trained in the business world, he became the manager of a marine insurance company in Glasgow, Scotland. Dix published various volumes of his hymns, such as Hymns of Love and Joy (1861) and Altar Songs: Verses on the Holy Eucharist (1867). A number of his texts were first published in Hymns Ancient and Modern (1861).

Bert Polman
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Dix, William Chatterton, son of John Dix, surgeon, of Bristol, author of the Life of Chatterton; Local Legends, &c, born at Bristol, June 14, 1837, and educated at the Grammar School of that city. Mr. Chatterton Dix's contributions to modern hymnody are numerous and of value. His fine Epiphany hymn, "As with gladness men of old,” and his plaintive ”Come unto Me, ye weary," are examples of his compositions, many of which rank high amongst modern hymns. In his Hymns of Love and Joy, 1861, Altar Songs, Verses on the Holy Eucharist, 1867; Vision of All Saints, &c, 1871; and Seekers of a City, 1878, some of his compositions were first published. The greater part, however, were contributed to Hymns Ancient & Modern; St. Raphaels Hymnbook, 1861; Lyra Eucharidica, 1863; Lyra Messianica, 1864; Lyra Mystica, 1865; The People's Hymns, 1867; The Hymnary, 1872; Church Hymns, 1871, and others. Many of his contributions are renderings in metrical form of Dr. Littledale's translation from the Greek in his Offices . . . of the Holy Eastern Church, 1863; and of the Rev. J. M. Rodwell's translation of hymns of the Abyssinian Church. These renderings of the "songs of other Churches" have not received the attention they deserve, and the sources from whence they come are practically unknown to most hymnal compilers. Mr. Dix has also written many Christmas and Easter carols, the most widely known of which is "The Manger Throne."   In addition to detached pieces in prose and verse for various magazines, he has published two devotional works, Light; and The Risen Life, 1883; and a book of instructions for children entitled The Pattern Life, 1885. The last-named contains original hymns by Mr. Dix not given elsewhere. In addition to the more important of Mr. Dix's hymns which are annotated under their respective first lines, the following are also in common use:-

1. God cometh, let the heart prepareAdvent. In his Vision of All Saints, &c, 1871.     
2. Holy, holy, holy, to Thee our vows we payHoly Communion.   Published in his Altar Songs, 1867, in 6 stanzas of 6 lines, and headed "Eucharistic Processional for Dedication Feast."    In the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge Church Hymns, 1871, and others in an abridged form.     
3. How long, O Lord, how long, we ask.   Second Advent.   Appeared in the Appendix to the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge Psalms & Hymns, 1869, and repeated in several collections.       
4. In our work and in our play.    Children's Hymn. Published in his Hymns and Carols for Children, 1869, and is largely adopted  in  children's  hymnbooks, as  Mrs. Brock's Children's Hymnbook, 1881, and others.   Also in the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge Church Hymns, 1871.     
5.  In the hollow of Thine hand.   For Fair Weather. Appeared in the People's Hymns, 1867, and repeated in several others.     
6.  Joy fills our inmost heart today.    Christmas. Printed in the Church Times, and  then on a Flysheet by Gr. J. Palmer, as the third of Four Joyful Hymns for Christmas, circa 1865. It is in the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge Church Hymns, 1871, and other hymnals. It is also one of Mr. Dix's Christmas Customs & Christmas Carols, not dated.     
7. Lift up your songs, ye thankful.   St. Ambrose. Contributed to the People's Hymns, 1867. 
8. Now in numbers softly flowing.    St. Cecilia. Contributed to the People's Hymns, 1867.   
9.  Now, our Father, we adore Thee.   Praise to the Father.   Appeared in the Appendix to the S. P. C. K. Psalms & Hymns, 1869.  
10.  O Christ, Thou Son of Mary.   St. Crispin.   First printed in the Union Review, Sept., 1866, and thence into the People's Hymns, 1887.  
11. O Cross which only canst allay.   Glorying and Trusting in the Cross.   Published in the People's Hymns, 1867.  
12. O Thou the Eternal Son of God.   Good Friday. Appeared in Lyra Messianica, 1864; the author's Hymns and Carols for Children, 1869; the S. P. C. K. Church Hymns, 1871, &c.  
13. On the waters dark and drear.   For use at Sea. Published in Hymns for Public Worship, &c. (St. Raphael's, Bristol), 1861; the S. P. C. K. Church Hymns, 1871, &c.  
14. Only one prayer to-day.   Ash Wednesday.   Contributed to the People's Hymns, 1867.  
15. Sitting at receipt of customSt. Matthew.  Appeared in the People's Hymns, 1867.  
16. The Cross is on thy brow.   Confirmation.   In the 1869 Appendix to the S. P. C. K. Psalms & Hymns.  
17.  The stars above our head.   Work and Humility. In the 1869 Appendix to the S. P. C. K. Psalms & Hymns
18. When the shades of night are falling.   Evening Hymn to the Good Shepherd.   In the author's Seekers of a City, &c. [1878].

Most of Mr. Dix's best-known hymns, and also some of those named above, are in common use in America and other English-speaking countries. In Great Britain and America from 30 to 40 are in common use.  He died Sept. 9, 1898.

-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

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Dix, William Chatterton, p. 302, ii. Additional hymns by Mr. Dix now in common use are:—
1. Lift up your songs, ye angel choirs. Ascension.
2. Now, my soul rehearse the story. Christ Feeding the Multitude.
3. Within the temple's hallowed courts. Blessed Virgin Mary. These hymns are from his Altar Songs, 1867.

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)


Texts by W. Chatterton Dix (86)sort descendingAsAuthority LanguagesInstances
¡Aleluya! Gloria a Cristo, Poderoso SalvadorWilliam C. Dix (Author)Spanish2
¡Aleluya, Gloria a Cristo! (Álvarez)W. Chatterton Dix (Author)Spanish4
All holy, holy, holy to theeWilliam Chatterton Dix (Author)3
All ye who seek for JesusWilliam Chatterton Dix (Author)2
Alléluia, chante à JésusW. Chatterton Dix (Author)French2
Alleluia, praise our MasterW. Chatterton Dix (Author)3
Alleluia! sing to Jesus! His the scepter, His the throneWilliam Chatterton Dix (1837- ) (Author)English176
ആരാണീ പൈതലീ നിദ്രയില്‍W. Chatterton Dix (Author)Malayalam2
As those who seek the break of dayWilliam C. Dix (Translator)English4
As with gladness men of oldW. C. Dix (Author)English723
Beauteous are the flowers of earthW. C. Dix (Author)English8
Bend to our hymns, RedeemerWilliam C. Dix (Translator)English2
Bethlehem hath opened EdenDix (Translator)1
Christ, we sing thy saving PassionW. C. Dix (Translator)English2
Christians, carol sweetly, Up today and singWilliam Dix, 1837-1898 (Author)English6
Come unto me, ye weary, And I will give thee rest (Dix)William C. Dix (Author)English208
Con gran gozo y candorWilliam C. Dix (Author)Spanish4
Cóż to za Dziecię slodko śpi na sianie, w twardym żlobie?William Chatterton Dix, d. 1898 (Author)Polish2
Dark fall the hours this winter-tideWilliam C. Dix (Author)English2
Every generation, Mary, calls thee blessedWilliam C. Dix (Author)3
First came the hour of prayer, calm in the mountain airW. Chatterton Dix ()English2
God cometh, let the heart prepareW. Chatterton Dix (Author)English2
古代人們心喜樂 (Gǔdài rénmen xīn xǐlè)W. Chatterton Dix (Author)Chinese3
哈利路亞! 頌主耶穌 (Hā lì lù yà! Sòng zhǔ yēsū)William C. Dix (Author)Chinese3
Habakkuk in ancient songW. C. Dix (Paraphraser)1
ഹാലേലൂയ്യ പാടിടുവിൻ വാഴും യേശു രാജനു! (Hālēlūyya pāṭiṭuvin vāḻuṁ yēśu rājanu!)W. Chatterton Dix (Author)Malayalam2
He who with His mighty handWilliam Chatterton Dix (Author)English4
Helpless and hungry, lowly he liesWilliam C. Dix, 1837-1898 (Author)English1
Holy Jesus, ev'ry dayWilliam C. Dix (Author)English2
How long, O Lord, how long we askW. Chatterton Dix (Author)English2
I heard the voice of Jesus say, "Come unto Me and rest"William Chatterton Dix (Author)English133
If the dark and awful tombWilliam C. Dix (Author)5
In our work and in our play, Jesus, be Thou ever nearW. Chatterton Dix, 1837-98 (Author)English35
Jesu, give thy servantsW. C. Dix (Translator)1
Jesu, Sion’s King, we greet TheeW. Chatterton Dix (Author)English2
Joy fills our inmost hearts today!William Chatterton Dix (Author)English55
Just as thou art, without one traceW. C. Dix (Author)English2
Kommt her, die ihr mühseligWilliam Chatterton Dix (Author)German3
Lead us aside, we would not ever stayW. Chatterton Dix (Author)English2
Like silver lamps in a distant shrineWilliam Chatterton Dix (Author)English39
Mais qui est cet enfant qui dortW. Chatterton Dix (Author)French2
மரியின் மடியில் (Mariyiṉ maṭiyil)W. Chatterton Dix (Author)Tamil2
مثلما دل المجوسWilliam C. Dix (Author)Arabic1
Night was resting on the peopleWilliam C. Dix (Author)English2
O Babe, in manger lyingWilliam Chatterton Dix (Author)English3
O Lord, the wilderness to meW. Chatterton Dix (Author)English3
O Thou, the Eternal Son of GodWilliam C. Dix (Author)English21
O thou uncovered course, Word of the living oneDix (Translator)1
O blessed is that land of GodChatterton Dix (Author)English2
Olvidando su dolorWilliam C. Dix (Author)Spanish1
On the waters dark and drearW. Chatterton Dix (Author)English2
Only one prayer todayRev. W. C. Dix (Author)English28
Our hearts to Thee in prayer we bowW. Chatterton Dix (Author)English1
Our hymns receive, RedeemerC. W. Dix (Translator)1
පෙර පඬිවරයන් (Pera pan̆ḍivarayan)W. Chatterton Dix (Author)Sinhala2
Put on thy beautiful robes, bride of ChristW. C. Dix (Author)English5
¿Qué niño es el que tierno duerme en brazos de María?W. Chatterton Dix (Author)Spanish2
Qué niño es éste que al dormirWilliam C. Dix (Author)Spanish10
¿Qué niño es éste que se hallaW. Chatterton Dix (Author)Spanish2
¿Qué niño es este que yace en el regazo de María?W. Chatterton Dix (Author)Spanish2
¿Qué niño es que en regazoW. Chatterton Dix (Author)Spanish2
Quem é o menino que está nos braçosW. Chatterton Dix (Author)Portuguese2
Rahel weeping for her childrenW. Chatterton Dix (Author)English2
Rejoice! today earth tells abroadW. C. Dix (Author)English1
Shine, shine, O new JerusalemDix, W. C. (Translator)1
The church of God lifts up her voiceW. Chatterton Dix (Author)5
The cross is on our browWilliam Chatterton Dix (Author)English15
The tuneful sound of musicW. C. Dix (Translator)English1
The virgin is hushing her baby to restW. Chatterton Dix (Author)English3
The wonder working MasterWilliam C. Dix (Translator)2
There was silence in Bethlehem’s fields that nightW. Chatterton Dix (Author)English2
They who with Mary cameWilliam C. Dix (Author)3
Through the long hidden years Thou hast sought meW. Chatterton Dix (Author)English2
To Christ the Monarch, be our praise todayW. Chatterton Dix (Author)English2
To Thee, Eternal Lord, we raiseW.C. Dix (Author)English2
To Thee, O Lord, our hearts we raiseW. C. Dix (Author)English110
Today in Bethlehem hear IWilliam C. Dix (Author)English7
Un tierno niño dormido está en los brazos de MaríaWilliam C. Dix (Adapter)Spanish3
"Venid a Mí, cansadosW. Chatterton Dix (Author)Spanish2
Venid, las que vagando Temblando y anhelantesW. C. Dix (Author)Spanish2
We children, Lord, have comeW. C. Dix (Author)English2
We sing your praise for steadfast loveWilliam C. Dix (Response)2
What child is this, who, laid to restWilliam Chatterton Dix (Author)English235
Wie vor Alters jene ScharWilliam Chatterton Dix (Author)German3
يا متعبا تعال إليه تسترحWilliam C. Dix (Author)Arabic1
Zu Dir, o Herr, erheben wirW. Chatterton Dix (Author)German1

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