"How Great Thou Art" is a Christian hymn based on a Swedish poem written by Carl Gustav Boberg (1859-1940) in Sweden in 1885. The melody is a Swedish folk song.
I sang this at both my parent’s funerals. I can warn you it will be very difficult. My suggestion is that if you can concentrate only on your singing, and not why you are singing, it will be easier. It will still be hard, but you have a chance of not breaking down during the song.
I had plans like you. I tried to sing at both my dads and mans funeral but on the day couldn't. As soon as the organist started playing my designated hymns I welled up all the way through and couldn't sing. I hope u r OK and get through it without welling up. My dad was 93 and man 79. I was so sad I couldn't sing but that's life.😢
In a world that is evil& tragic& sad& angry,& hateful& divided& cruel, with young people who are privileged & demand that they are right. To hear this lifts my soul. Thanks Ben, you are doing great a great job 🙏❤️
In this time full of trials and hostility, we use hymns, i.e. faith manifested in music. And when played as superbly as here they lift our hearts and souls to our Redeemer.
Wow..brings tears to my eyes...thank you for your videos for a time such as this...Jesus is returning soon..I pray all take hope in Him who died on the cross for the sins of the world... ..
It is wonderful to listen to you playing the organ. This was my fathers favourite hymn and although he died a long time ago now it brought back many memories of him. Thankyou.
My mom used to love this song. I still remember her softly singing this as she scurried about doing those thousand and one little chores that helped to make our house a home. She died 12 years ago, and I can never hear this without thinking of her. (Miss ya, mom.)
One of my favorites as well. In my Episcopal congregation back in the US, we sang a somewhat different version. The organist didn't spare the pipes in the last verse. It's a wonder the building survived. Thank you for posting this. It brought back some very nice memories for me.
Our church choir sang this for so many funeral services. It was my honor to help bring comfort to the friends and families of the deceased (many of which I knew), It touches me still and brings back memories of those services. Thanks for sharing your talent Ben.
Its been over sixty years ago I used to hear these beautiful Anglican hymns sung by my parents in the church in Bangalore India...time has passed and so have they,but these hymns brings me close to my Savior,and precious memories of my parents are very real God Bless you Ben
I was thinking that,not that it is my business,but he is demonstrably grounded and not just in the "mechanics." Such a gentle young guy with no attitude. St Augustine of Hippo said. "He who sings prays twice." What would he have said of organists who help ppl sing. I never knew any videos like this existed or were interesting. Now. I've watched 4 of Ben's today.
April 28 2024 9 am Sunday East coast of Tasmania. Thank you for this hymn and for your videos. Until my Mum died 2 years ago I used to visit Dorset twice a year and ,once retired , for several weeks at a time. I also love liturgical music and its history . My Mum was a guide at Salisbury cathedral for many years, even I think in her late 80s. So you can understand why I am wrapt to have found your UA-cam channel. I love the views of the countryside , the music and exploring the churches. Thank you Ben
Dear Ben Thank you for the beautiful rendition of this hymn. We are in South Africa, but we love the UK with its rich history, as well as the churches that we see through your channel. We sincerely appreciate your organ playing talent. Regards Dawie and Werner
Great hymn indeed. 👍 I hope the prince William would find our dear Lord in his heart if not yet has. The future of christianity in England is an issue and the royal highness should protect our fathers' and ours' faith. I pray for the King and the royal family. May God bless the King and the people of England. May Heavenly Father bless many through your work and faithful service, Ben. Greetings from Finland. 🇫🇮♥️🇬🇧
To those of us who remember Billy Graham, and how he could fill a sports stadium during his evangelical crusades, this was the signature anthem led by George Beverly Shea. My Dad requested it for his funeral.
Thank you for playing this Hymn so well, many of our smaller churches are played by untrained organist who valiantly at least play so we can sing, but an Organist can get so much more out of an instrument.
w0w! What a great man You are. It seems the organ lives inside of You, and as You let it out, it likewise draw deep feelings from my soul. Thank You for all You do Ben. Quite amazing talent
Yes, I remember seeing Bev sing this on the Billy Graham TV specials, and much later when he was profiled on TBN. He lived a long and robust life and still could render this hymn with great clarity at the age of 104. I have many of his LP records put out by the RCA Victor label.
One great advantage of the organ over the piano is for multiple verses of a hymn. Each verse can be on different stops, making for the emotion to peak and swell.
As a former church organist, (now a pastor) I found that How Great Thou Art is equally loved and hated. A church denomination (PCUSA) was creating/updating a new hymn book and sent out a survey. Favorite hymn? How Great Thou Art. Least favorite hymn? How Great Thou Art. I suspect it is beloved/hated because it is sung at so many funerals. It is a great hymn. Thank you for your beautiful playing.
I agree totally! This is a powerful hymn, very inspired and top of the list for me...total praise! Thanks for this series...so wonderful to see a young person appreciating the earlier hymns.
I couldn't help wishing that George Bev Shea could have been there to sing the words! As it is, that was a wonderful rendering; you captured the esence of the final stanza perfectly! Thank You For This!! 😁😁
Very professional videos...like documentaries put out by the BBC. And it's so nice to see a young man with organ talent and an appreciation of his nation's history.....
A true Hymn of worship. God bless you for bringing us this joyful music. 🙏 The modern repetitive praise songs filling modern churches are so shallow and lacking in true heartfelt worship.
I have only just realised that I been to ringing practices here with my Young Ringers band and that your that organist of St Martin's. I've been watching your videos for ages as an organist in Wiltshire, but I have no idea why this has twigged only now! Probably because I recognise the steeple and some of the inside. Lovely playing and what an organ!
As i replay your films week after week, i notice more and more in the comments. How moved and inspired many of your followers are describing regarding your work. You are a treasure to many of us.❤
Thank you for your beautifully-played rendition of one of the greatest hymns, How Great Thou Art. I was singing along in both English and Spanish! In Spanish, the hymn is titled, Cuán grande es Él. ❤
My favourite hymn too! Since I was a child. I haven't been to church for over 30 years, great to hear it, thank you! I also like 'I cannot tell' - I think they sound a bit similar.
How great Thou art Carl Boberg, 1886 [Key: F] Verse 1 O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder Consider all the works Thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, Thy pow’r thru-out the universe displayed! Chorus Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee; How great Thou art, how great Thou art! Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee; How great Thou art, how great Thou art! Verse 2 When thru the woods and forest glades I wander And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees, When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze, Chorus Verse 3 And when I think that God, His Son not sparing, Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in - That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin! Chorus Verse 4 When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart! Then I shall bow in humble adoration And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art! Chorus
That's my favorite hymn, too. And Ben plays it very well. I too have seen a village organ. It was newer than this one. In the little town of St Luzisteig in Switzerland when I was there in the summer of 2005. Very High quality and sounded great.
Do you believe God is great, the creator of all things? Without faith, this is just a sweet tune, with faith, it has immense power to base the purpose of our lives upon.
Delightful….. and on the “King of Instruments” ! You must be out of CD’s…. tried to order one.. Loved the reed organ, I have one myself! Thanks for your subtle inspiration!
Most people find it surprising that it is a Lutheran Hymn originally. I suppose the fact it was used mainly in more evangelical churches, but it was originally from the Lutheran tradition in one of the Scandinavian countries.
This is actually Ben's home church, where he plays regularly, St Martin's Church-Salisbury, in the south of England. He has mentioned it in other videos.
There is no question Ben, St Martin's Church is very fortunate to have you as their organist.
"How Great Thou Art" is a Christian hymn based on a Swedish poem written by Carl Gustav Boberg (1859-1940) in Sweden in 1885. The melody is a Swedish folk song.
Genau. Danke
Thank you
I am planning to sing this song at my father’s funeral, he is 102 and going strong. I will sing with my daughter and 2 granddaughters 💗
May the Angels greet him in Heaven.
I sang this at both my parent’s funerals. I can warn you it will be very difficult. My suggestion is that if you can concentrate only on your singing, and not why you are singing, it will be easier. It will still be hard, but you have a chance of not breaking down during the song.
🙏🕊️ how amazing and what a blessing all these years given!
Jesus has blessed you all ❤
We sang this at both my Grandparents funerals
I had plans like you. I tried to sing at both my dads and mans funeral but on the day couldn't.
As soon as the organist started playing my designated hymns I welled up all the way through and couldn't sing. I hope u r OK and get through it without welling up.
My dad was 93 and man 79.
I was so sad I couldn't sing but that's life.😢
In a world that is evil& tragic& sad& angry,& hateful& divided& cruel, with young people who are privileged & demand that they are right.
To hear this lifts my soul.
Thanks Ben, you are doing great a great job 🙏❤️
In this time full of trials and hostility, we use hymns, i.e. faith manifested in music. And when played as superbly as here they lift our hearts and souls to our Redeemer.
Wow..brings tears to my eyes...thank you for your videos for a time such as this...Jesus is returning soon..I pray all take hope in Him who died on the cross for the sins of the world...
..
amen! maranatha 🕊️
I agree. One of the most beautiful church hymns, indeed.
I love watching you play, because you can tell how emotionally attached you are to this beautiful hymn. Thank you for this video!
This, “Holy, Holy, Holy,” and “Angels We Have Heard on High” are my three favorite hymns. Thank you for playing it.
It is wonderful to listen to you playing the organ. This was my fathers favourite hymn and although he died a long time ago now it brought back many memories of him. Thankyou.
My mom used to love this song. I still remember her softly singing this as she scurried about doing those thousand and one little chores that helped to make our house a home.
She died 12 years ago, and I can never hear this without thinking of her. (Miss ya, mom.)
This was also my late father's favourite hymn. We sang it at his funeral 35 yrs ago. He wld of been 107 this year! I am enjoying it for him thank you!
One of my favorites as well. In my Episcopal congregation back in the US, we sang a somewhat different version. The organist didn't spare the pipes in the last verse. It's a wonder the building survived. Thank you for posting this. It brought back some very nice memories for me.
❤
This was my Daddy’s favorite hymn and with his “Irish tenor “ voice it was beautifully sung ‼️🎄
Our church choir sang this for so many funeral services. It was my honor to help bring comfort to the friends and families of the deceased (many of which I knew), It touches me still and brings back memories of those services. Thanks for sharing your talent Ben.
One of my favorite hymns, we sing it often after prayer meeting. You played it beautifully.
This hymn is very beautiful and with this technique,it becomes even more beautiful……
I remember first singing this at the Billy Graham Crusade in the 60s. George Beverly Shea was the soloist.
Its been over sixty years ago I used to hear these beautiful Anglican hymns sung by my parents in the church in Bangalore India...time has passed and so have they,but these hymns brings me close to my Savior,and precious memories of my parents are very real God Bless you Ben
Ben Manon prays with his fingers and his feet. He is a deeply religious young man.
I was thinking that,not that it is my business,but he is demonstrably grounded and not just in the "mechanics." Such a gentle young guy with no attitude. St Augustine of Hippo said. "He who sings prays twice." What would he have said of organists who help ppl sing.
I never knew any videos like this existed or were interesting. Now. I've watched 4 of Ben's today.
Your hymn playing is phenomenal and you have that superb organ to play.
The pedal Trombone certainly makes a statement.
April 28 2024 9 am Sunday East coast of Tasmania.
Thank you for this hymn and for your videos. Until my Mum died 2 years ago I used to visit Dorset twice a year and ,once retired , for several weeks at a time.
I also love liturgical music and its history . My Mum was a guide at Salisbury cathedral for many years, even I think in her late 80s.
So you can understand why I am wrapt to have found your UA-cam channel.
I love the views of the countryside , the music and exploring the churches. Thank you Ben
This is one of my favorite hymns. My mother used to sing this as a solo at church. To this day, when I hear this music, it makes me cry.
Dear Ben
Thank you for the beautiful rendition of this hymn.
We are in South Africa, but we love the UK with its rich history, as well as the churches that we see through your channel.
We sincerely appreciate your organ playing talent.
Regards
Dawie and Werner
Absolutely beautiful. A powerful hymn and superbly played by you as always. Thank you.
Great hymn indeed. 👍
I hope the prince William would find our dear Lord in his heart if not yet has. The future of christianity in England is an issue and the royal highness should protect our fathers' and ours' faith. I pray for the King and the royal family. May God bless the King and the people of England. May Heavenly Father bless many through your work and faithful service, Ben. Greetings from Finland. 🇫🇮♥️🇬🇧
To those of us who remember Billy Graham, and how he could fill a sports stadium during his evangelical crusades, this was the signature anthem led by George Beverly Shea. My Dad requested it for his funeral.
Played at my late mother's funeral, along with Guide me O thou Great Jehovah.
If only there were more Ben Matons in this world!
Fantastic. I play the organ a bit and watching this makes me really motivated to go to a small local church and practise
Thank you for playing this Hymn so well, many of our smaller churches are played by untrained organist who valiantly at least play so we can sing, but an Organist can get so much more out of an instrument.
w0w! What a great man You are. It seems the organ lives inside of You, and as You let it out, it likewise draw deep feelings from my soul. Thank You for all You do Ben. Quite amazing talent
The only words I can summon is beautiful and moving.
That was my Mother’s favorite hymn.
Thy Power throughout the universe displayed! Tremendous!!!! Thank you
❤❤Ben i loved your playing of Thine be the Glory wonderful hymn ive sung many times ❤❤
I can still hear George Beverly Shea singing this great hymn.
Yes, I remember seeing Bev sing this on the Billy Graham TV specials, and much later when he was profiled on TBN. He lived a long and robust life and still could render this hymn with great clarity at the age of 104. I have many of his LP records put out by the RCA Victor label.
always loved this hymn, and you play it wonderfully
Ben, this is one memorable hymn I'll never forget growing up in the church. I've been binge watching your videos and you do some amazing work.
Love this young man's beautiful joy in music, including the timeless hymns!
"How Great Thou Art" is a great hymn of praise to Almighty God and is the favourite hymn of thousands.
Just wonderful Ben Thank you and God Bless you
Definitely one of my favorite hymns to play as well
One great advantage of the organ over the piano is for multiple verses of a hymn. Each verse can be on different stops, making for the emotion to peak and swell.
Wonderfully done. Thank you for making these videos. It's encouraging to see younger musicians like you performing.
Please continue, from USA
As a former church organist, (now a pastor) I found that How Great Thou Art is equally loved and hated. A church denomination (PCUSA) was creating/updating a new hymn book and sent out a survey. Favorite hymn? How Great Thou Art. Least favorite hymn? How Great Thou Art. I suspect it is beloved/hated because it is sung at so many funerals. It is a great hymn. Thank you for your beautiful playing.
Listening to this alone in the kitchen. Everyone else at home in their rooms on screens. I started to sing, yes my favourite hymn. Thank you Ben.
MAGNIFICENT!
Thank you, Ben ! This is the most beautiful and meaningful of hymns. I appreciate and enjoy your passion ! ( from Pennsylvania, USA )
I agree totally! This is a powerful hymn, very inspired and top of the list for me...total praise!
Thanks for this series...so wonderful to see a young person appreciating the earlier hymns.
I couldn't help wishing that George Bev Shea could have been there to sing the words! As it is, that was a wonderful rendering; you captured the esence of the final stanza perfectly! Thank You For This!! 😁😁
The words say it all!
My favorite is “Jerusalem the Golden”.
That's my favorite hymn as well.
Very professional videos...like documentaries put out by the BBC. And it's so nice to see a young man with organ talent and an appreciation of his nation's history.....
Another beautiful piece
Love your videos and playing. I am an Anglican priest and organist in USA. I would love to see you do some videos from the large cathedral organs.
Beautiful hymn on an equally beautiful instrument.
A true Hymn of worship. God bless you for bringing us this joyful music. 🙏
The modern repetitive praise songs filling modern churches are so shallow and lacking in true heartfelt worship.
I have only just realised that I been to ringing practices here with my Young Ringers band and that your that organist of St Martin's. I've been watching your videos for ages as an organist in Wiltshire, but I have no idea why this has twigged only now! Probably because I recognise the steeple and some of the inside. Lovely playing and what an organ!
Quite wonderfully played. I love many hymns as I believe you do. For me I have two favourites - Dear Lord and Father and The Day Thou Gavest.
As i replay your films week after week, i notice more and more in the comments. How moved and inspired many of your followers are describing regarding your work. You are a treasure to many of us.❤
The song says it. How great this was played❤
Beautiful Hymn which is sung in different languages, in South Africa, Afrikaans
..then sings my soul... 😊
Thank you for your beautifully-played rendition of one of the greatest hymns, How Great Thou Art. I was singing along in both English and Spanish! In Spanish, the hymn is titled, Cuán grande es Él. ❤
Keep the "Passion of Christ" going please. I applaud you. 🙏🙏🙏🙏
I soooo wish I could hear you play in person and meet you !! For now, know that I throughly enjoy your playing !!
My favourite hymn too! Since I was a child. I haven't been to church for over 30 years, great to hear it, thank you!
I also like 'I cannot tell' - I think they sound a bit similar.
Should we maybe go back for Christmas? The story and the music will be familiar.
I might after 30+ years. I briefly consider it each Christmas.
Thank you for sharing the hymns of Praise with ther You Tube world..
Thanjs and blessings to you.
Beautiful. Thank You
Im a church organist too and i also played how great thou art it is a beautiful hymn
One of my favorites as well. I also like Holy, Holy, Holy and several different "amen" variants.
So beautiful. Thank you.
How great Thou art
Carl Boberg, 1886
[Key: F]
Verse 1
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hands have made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy pow’r thru-out the universe displayed!
Chorus
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Verse 2
When thru the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze,
Chorus
Verse 3
And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in -
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin!
Chorus
Verse 4
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration
And there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art!
Chorus
Wow! Powerful and inspirational! Thanks.
Yes, definitely one of my favorites! Thank you for your playing this organ.
My all-time favorite is Alleluia Sing to Jesus to the tune Hyffrydol. I wish you would play that.
Thank you.
Wonderful to hear the organ in that exquisite place! ❤❤❤❤
My favorite hymn as well! Thank you for your wonder talent sharing! We are home sick with the flu and it brightened our evening!
Thank you Ben❤
My favourite hymn which is a Christmas carol is Hark! the herald angels sing. There is an organ introduction that sounds heavenly.
Wonderful playing. I appreciate the registration changes between the verses.
I'm playing this hymn in chuch this coming Sunday.
Great stuff, Ben.
My fav. The same... How Great Thou Art!! 🎉
That's my favorite hymn, too. And Ben plays it very well. I too have seen a village organ. It was newer than this one. In the little town of St Luzisteig in Switzerland when I was there in the summer of 2005. Very High quality and sounded great.
Love❤️❤️❤️
This Hyundai is vero beautiful and with this technique,it bevo se eventi more beautiful……
Can you do And Can It Be That I Should Gain written by Charles Wesley? Thanks!
Do you believe God is great, the creator of all things? Without faith, this is just a sweet tune, with faith, it has immense power to base the purpose of our lives upon.
Beautiful…. thank you
Delightful….. and on the “King of Instruments” !
You must be out of CD’s…. tried to order one..
Loved the reed organ, I have one myself!
Thanks for your subtle inspiration!
Just sold the last CD! More on the way
I'm liking it....
Best sung by a Welsh choir IMHO.
Superb!
I lov it
I would love to hear from you sometime Ben, we seem to have a lot in common:
Yes♥️
Most people find it surprising that it is a Lutheran Hymn originally. I suppose the fact it was used mainly in more evangelical churches, but it was originally from the Lutheran tradition in one of the Scandinavian countries.
Sweden😊
@@arnicepernice8656 thank you
Could you put up the words - I'm catching up after so many wasted years 😊
Do you play regularly for a particular church? If so, which one? Do you have any videos of you playing the organ you plays for services weekly?
This is actually Ben's home church, where he plays regularly, St Martin's Church-Salisbury, in the south of England. He has mentioned it in other videos.
Hi Ben.