A few more years shall roll. H. Bonar. [0ld and New Year.] Written about the year 1842, and first printed on a flyleaf for use by the members of his congregation on a New Year's Day. In 1844 it was published in No. 2 of his Songs for the Wilderness, again in the first series of Hymns of Faith and Hope 1857, p. 101; and later editions. It is in 6 stanzas of 8 lines, S.M., and entitled, "A Pilgrim's Song." Its use in all English-speaking countries, either in its full, or in an abbreviated form, is very extensive. In some cases its exquisite refrain, with its delicate changes:—
"Then, 0 my Lord, prepare
My soul for that great day;
0 wash me in Thy precious blood,
And take my sins away,"
is omitted, and it is thereby robbed of one of its most beautiful and striking features.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
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Horatius Bonar was born at Edinburgh, in 1808. His education was obtained at the High School, and the University of his native city. He was ordained to the ministry, in 1837, and since then has been pastor at Kelso. In 1843, he joined the Free Church of Scotland. His reputation as a religious writer was first gained on the publication of the "Kelso Tracts," of which he was the author. He has also written many other prose works, some of which have had a very large circulation. Nor is he less favorably known as a religious poet and hymn-writer. The three series of "Hymns of Faith and Hope," have passed through several editions.
--Annotations of the Hymnal, Charles Hutchins, M.A. 1872… Go to person page >
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