Hymns convey a sense of history to believers today, bringing to life the testimonies of Christians of generations past. This hymn, written by William W. How in 1864, remembers those of the distant past who contended for the faith. It also looks to the future and challenges and encourages believers to faithfully continue their spiritual journey.
William How (1823-1897) was educated at Oxford and was known as “the poor man’s bishop,” living and ministering in the slums and industrial areas of East London. Serving among the poor, needy people, he received little pay or recognition. Because of his success in children’s ministry, he was also called “the children’s bishop.”
He wrote his first hymn at age thirteen, and most of his almost-sixty hymns were written early in his career. His own collection, Hymns, was published in 1886. How’s ability as a hymn writer was recognized when he was commissioned in 1897 to write a hymn for the sixtieth anniversary of Queen Victoria’s reign.
“For All the Saints” was first published with the heading “A Cloud of Witnesses.” The title was changed in 1871 when the hymn was published in Church Hymns. The original eleven stanzas are reduced to six or fewer stanzas in most hymnals. The hymn begins by blessing the name of Jesus for those saints who confessed the name of Christ to the world and are now enjoying their rest in heaven. As they fought the “well-fought fight, Christ was their “Rock, fortress, might, captain, and light of light.” While the author was inspired by the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11 that speaks of those in the Old Testament, the omitted stanzas mention the “apostles, evangelists and martyrs” of the New Testament. The hymn continues by expressing the desire that believers will continue to “fight as the saints who nobly fought of old.” The hymn also looks ahead to when saints from all times and places will join together in heaven, singing praises to “Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.”
The most common tune was written by British composer Ralph Vaughn Williams in 1906. He chose the name “Sine Nomine,” which literally means “anonymous,” suggesting that he didn’t wish to be in competition with composers of earlier tunes for the hymn. The majestic tune sings like a triumphal march with the affirming “Alleluia!” at the end of each stanza.
This hymn gives an opportunity to reflect on the saints in one’s life, those who faithfully set an example and are now gone. This hymn praises the Lord for them while challenging Christians to live with that same kind of faith in the world today. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. (Hebrews 12:1)
1. For all the saints, who from their labours rest,
Who thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy name, O Jesus, be for ever blest.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
2. Thou wast their Rock, their fortress, and their might;
Thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
Thou in the darkness drear their light of light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
3. For the apostles’ glorious company,
Who, bearing forth the cross o’er land and sea,
Shook all the mighty world, we sing to thee.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
4. For the evangelists, by whose blest word,
Like fourfold streams, the garden of the Lord
Is fair and fruitful, be thy name adored.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
5. For martyrs, who with rapture kindled eye
Saw the bright crown descending from the sky,
And died to grasp it, thee we glorify.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
6. Oh! may thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win, with them, the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
7. O blest communion! fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
8. And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph-song,
And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong!
Alleluia, Alleluia!
9. The golden evening brightens in the west:
Soon, soon, to faithful warriors cometh rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blest.
Alleluia, Alleluia!
10. But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on his way!
Alleluia, Alleluia!
11. From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost-
Alleluia, Alleluia!
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