{"id":17955,"date":"2016-11-14T12:06:31","date_gmt":"2016-11-14T17:06:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.genealogybank.com\/?p=17955"},"modified":"2017-01-27T11:53:37","modified_gmt":"2017-01-27T16:53:37","slug":"whats-the-back-story-of-those-familiar-thanksgiving-hymns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.genealogybank.com\/blog\/whats-the-back-story-of-those-familiar-thanksgiving-hymns.html","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s the Back Story of Those Familiar Thanksgiving Hymns?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Music editor Sigmund Spaeth (1885-1965) can tell you.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
Source: GenealogyBank.com, Advocate (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), 13 November 1965, page 39<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

According to his obituary, Sigmund Spaeth turned his love of music and his uncanny ability to track down the origins of a tune or phrase<\/p>\n

\u2026into a profitable career after it became apparent to him that he could not make it as a professional musician.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"An<\/a>
Source: GenealogyBank.com, Advocate (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), 13 November 1965, page 39<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In his regular column \u201cMusic for Everybody\u201d on 22 November 1953, he commented on some favorite old Thanksgiving songs.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
Source: GenealogyBank.com, Springfield Union (Springfield, Massachusetts), 22 November 1953, page 70<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cNow Thank We All Our God\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Source: GenealogyBank.com, Springfield Union (Springfield, Massachusetts), 22 November 1953, page 70<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

According to Spaeth, this tune was probably composed by \u201ca German organist named Johann Cruger\u201d and the \u201cwords \u2018Nun danket alle Gott\u2019 were written by a contemporary poet, Martin Rinkart.\u201d<\/p>\n

Listen to the song here: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=42ZqYk1YwRA<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cPrayer of Thanksgiving\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is probably the most sung and recognized of the Thanksgiving hymns. It begins \u201cWe gather together to ask the Lord\u2019s blessing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Source: GenealogyBank.com, Springfield Union (Springfield, Massachusetts), 22 November 1953, page 70<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Listen to it here: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=JeBWmU0tx6A<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cWe Plow the Fields\u201d & \u201cCome Ye Thankful People, Come\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Source: GenealogyBank.com, Springfield Union (Springfield, Massachusetts), 22 November 1953, page 70<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Listen to it here: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=msOzJ6DY7EA<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cBringing in the Sheaves\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"An<\/a>
Source: GenealogyBank.com, Springfield Union (Springfield, Massachusetts), 22 November 1953, page 70<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Listen to it here: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=u67Lb1RyXTU<\/a><\/p>\n

What are some of your favorite Thanksgiving hymns? Share them with us in the comments section below.<\/p>\n

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