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![]() | EL NATHANComposer: James McGranahan (1883)Published in 35 hymnals Printable scores: PDF, Sibelius Audio files: MIDI, Recording |
James McGranahan was a nineteenth-century American musician and composer, most known for his various hymns. He was born 4 July 1840, in West Fallowfield or Adamsville, Pennsylvania, and died 9 July 1907 in Kinsman, Ohio.
He composed over 25 hymns. For example, in one work he is listed as the composer of three notable songs: "He Will Hide Me" by Mary Elizabeth Servoss, "Revive Thy Work, O Lord" by Albert Midlane, and "Come" by a "Mrs. James Gibson Johnson";and he composed the music for at least 39 of the 79 hymns in a work co-authored with Ira D. Sankey. McGranahan composed most of the tunes for the lyrics of Major Daniel Webster Whittle, including EL NATHAN, the tune associated with Whittle's "I Know Whom I Have Believèd" (written 1883)… Go to person page >| Composer: | James McGranahan (1883) |
| Meter: | 8.6.8.6 D |
| Incipit: | 13343 21655 35565 |
| Key: | D Major |
I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.
Go to text page >
James McGranahan (PHH 99), Whittle's song leader, composed EL NATHAN. The tunes title is a pseudonym used by Whittle. A typical gospel hymn tune, EL NATHAN is constructed with a few melodic lines and a very simple harmony, but it is marked by some rhythmic interest. The tune is easily sung in parts. Try singing the stanzas in two long lines. The text of the refrain calls for one long extended phrase; accompanists and choirs using staggered breathing can demonstrate the effectiveness of a musical “communion of the saints” by performing the entire refrain without a break.
--Psalter Hymnal Handbook
| Instances (16) | First Line | Text Title | Refrain First Line | Authors | Composers | Meter | Scripture | Tune Title | Tune Key | Incipit | Languages | Publication Date | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baptist Hymnal 1991 #337 | I know not why God's wondrous grace | I Know Whom I Have Believed | But "I know whom I have believed | Daniel W. Whittle | James McGranahan | 8.6.8.6 with refrain | 2 Timothy 1:12 | EL NATHAN | D Major | 1991 | |||||||
| Baptist Hymnal 2008 #353 | I know not why God's wondrous grace | I Know Whom I Have Believed | But "I know whom I have believed | Daniel W. Whittle | James McGranahan | 8.6.8.6 with refrain | EL NATHAN | D Major | English | 2008 | |||||||
| Celebrating Grace Hymnal #588 | I know not why God's wondrous grace | I Know Whom I Have Believed | But I know whom I have believed | Daniel W. Whittle | James McGranahan | 8.6.8.6 D | 2 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 1:12 | EL NATHAN | D Major | 2010 | |||||||
| Celebration Hymnal #527 | I know not why God's wondrous grace To me He hath made known, | I Know Whom I Have Believed | [I Know Whom I Have Believed] | D Major | 1997 | ||||||||||||
| Christian Classics Ethereal Hymnary #344 | James McGranahan | EL NATHAN | 133432165535565 | 2007 | |||||||||||||
| Hinário para o Culto Cristão #447 | Não sei por que de Deus o amor | Mas Eu Sei em Quem Tenho Crido | Mas eu sei em quem tenho crido | Justus Henry Nelson; Daniel Webster Whittle | James McGranahan | 8.6.8.6 with refrain | EL NATAN | D Major | English; Portuguese | 1991 | |||||||
| Hymns of Faith #229 | I know not why god's wondrous grace | I Know Whom I Have Believed | But "I know whom I have believed | Daniel W. Whittle | James McGranahan | Matthew 24:42; Romans 10:17; Romans 14:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:17; 2 Timothy 1:12 | [I know not why god's wondrous grace] | D Major | 1980 | ||||||||
| Lift Up Your Hearts: psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs #690 | I know not why God's wondrous grace | I Know Not Why God's Wondrous Grace | But I know whom I have believed | Daniel W. Whittle | James McGranahan | 2 Timothy 1:12 | EL NATHAN | D Major | 2013 | ||||||||
| Psalter Hymnal (Gray) #495 | I know not why God's wondrous grace | I Know Not Why God's Wondrous Grace | But "I know whom I have believed | Daniel W. Whittle, 1840-1901 | James McGranahan | 8.6.8.6 D | 2 Timothy 1:12; 2 Timothy 1 | EL NATHAN | D Major | English | 1987 | ||||||
| Revival Hymns and Choruses #87 | I know not why God's wondrous grace | I Know Whom I Have Believed | But I know whom I have believed, And am persuaded that he is able | Daniel W. Whittle, 1840-1901 | James McGranahan, 1840-1907 | [I know not why God's wondrous grace] | E Flat Major | English | 1982 | ||||||||
| Sing Joyfully #310 | I know not why God's wondrous grace | I Know Whom I Have Believed | But I know whom I have believed | Daniel W. Whittle | James McGranahan | [I know not why God's wondrous grace] | D Major | English | 1989 | ||||||||
| The Covenant Hymnal: a worshipbook #440 | I know not why God's wondrous grace | I Know Not Why God's Wondrous Grace | But "I know whom I have believed | Daniel W. Whittle, 1840-1901 | James McGranahan, 1840-1907 | 8.6.8.6 with refrain | EL NATHAN | D Major | 1996 | ||||||||
| The United Methodist Hymnal #714 | I know not why God's wondrous grace | I Know Whom I Have Believed | But I know whom I have believed | Daniel W. Whittle | James McGranahan | 8.6.8.6 D | 2 Timothy 1:12 | EL NATHAN | D Major | English | 1989 | ||||||
| The Worshiping Church #493 | I know not why god's wondrous grace | I Know Whom I Have Believed | But "I know whom I have believed | Daniel W. Whittle | James McGranahan | 8.6.8.6 with refrain | 1 Thessalonians 4:17; Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 1:12; John 16:8; Matthew 24:42 | EL NATHAN | D Major | English | 1990 | ||||||
| Trinity Hymnal #705 | I know not why God's wondrous grace | I Know Whom I Have Believed | But "I know whom I have believed" | Daniel W. Whittle, 1840-1901 | James McGranahan | 8.6.8.6 with refrain | 2 Timothy 1:12 | EL NATHAN | D Major | English | 1990 | ||||||
| Worship and Rejoice #407 | I know not why God's wondrous grace | I Know Whom I Have Believed | But "I know whom I have believed | Daniel W. Whittle, 1840-1901 | James McGranahan, 1840-1907 | 8.6.8.6 with refrain | 2 Timothy 1:12; Romans 10:17; John 16:8; Matthew 24:42 | EL NATHAN | D Major | 2001 |
