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Home » Forums » Hymnary User Room
Sat, 04/18/2020 - 17:57 — Aober

When I was in bible college I used to enjoy perusing the section of antique hymnals in the school library. I remember one day I opened one up and came across a hymn with a really odd title (or first line). It was "Hitch Your Wagon to a Star of Love".

Does this ring a bell for anyone? It bugs me that I never made note of the hymnal it was in. I can't seem to find anything about that particular hymn or song.


Comments

Sun, 04/19/2020 - 06:18 — Jaap Koning

http://www.exfamily.org/pubs/ml/b4/ml0311B.shtml

On Google there are several other sources.

Sun, 04/19/2020 - 10:50 — Aober

I saw that too, but it was definitely older than the 70's and specifically said "to a star of love" which I can't seem to find anywhere.

Tue, 04/21/2020 - 11:40 — Jaap Koning

Fri, 04/24/2020 - 14:49 — Aober

No problem.

Wed, 05/06/2020 - 11:32 — barrycjohnston

The phrase "Hitch your wagon to a star" is from an essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1862. Unfortunately the context is polytheistic ("done by the gods themselves"), which leads me to surmise that "Hitch your wagon to a star of love" is an adaptation of the Emerson quote to a more orthodox Christian (monotheistic) genre. The Emerson quote has often been used by those wanting to inspire others, or get them to produce more, like carpe diem.

I was not able to find the hymn for which you enquired, but I did find an appropriate poem by one of my favorite poets, Ogden Nash, at https://cpcissaquah.org/2020/02/20/my-worth-is-not-in-what-i-own/

"Because when people start hitching their wagons to a star, That's the way they are."

 

Mon, 05/11/2020 - 20:18 — Aober

Thanks for this! I wish I could go back and find that hymnal or sogbook again. It really bugs me knowing there's nothing about it on the internet and the name seems so odd. I almost laughed out loud in the library when I came to that page because the book was so old but it sounded like a Hippie song to me. :)

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