Gathergood C.M.

This tune was written for Bill Gathergood who hosted me and three others during the Wears Valley, TN singing convention in 2018.

I found this hymn text in my copy of the Primitive Methodist Hymn Book, published by Hugh Bourne in London, 1878. The Primitive Methodists were distinguished their outdoor revival meetings so they have a few songs extolling nature and the value of worshipping among nature. This song appears in one of their earlier hymnals, from 1860, with the source as "unknown, altd."

Beneath heaven's open azure dome,
On earth's rich emerald floor,
Jehovah, in thine earthly home,
Thy presence we implore.

While all around above we gaze
O'erpowered with love divine,
Our hearts are glowing with a blaze
Of love to thee and thine.

Where grandeur rears her lofty throne,
Here beauty holds her court.
Here glory spreads the widespread zone,
Of love's desired resort.