The text of the hymn was written by James Grindly Small of Edinburgh. He was educated at the High School, and the University of Edinburgh, studied divinity under Dr. Chalmers, and in 1843 he joined the Free Church of Scotland. The hymn, "I've found a Friend; oh such a Friend" (Jesus, the Friend), appeared in his Psalms & Sacred Songs, 1866.
Sullivan names his tune "Constance" in reference to the theme of the text. God's love for us is constant, unchanging and unchangeable. We hear in the first stanze that God loved us, before we loved Him. (1Jn. 4:10) The second stanza speaks of Christ's gift of eternal life. "He bled and died to save me." In the third stanza bears echoes of Paul's great proclamation in Romans 8: 35-39 that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Then in the final stanza concludes with the words, "I am His forever."
Just as in his secular work, Sullivan is sensitive to the text when composing his music. CONSTANCE is a solid Victorian tune with a fine climax in the melody of its final line.
This hymn is not as well-known as Sullivan's most famous hymn, "Onward Christian Soldiers," but since it's first publication it has appeared in 20 hymnbooks and seems to be gaining in popularity.
Summer at SPPC has become a time to try out new hymns and old. Everyone is invited to submit requests so don't be shy.
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