7 sacred songs in honor of Memorial Day

By Michael Gryboski, Editor Sunday, May 26, 2024

'Am I a Soldier of the Cross'

"Am I a Soldier of the Cross" was written by Isaac Watts, the famed 18th century hymnist who also wrote classic songs like "O God Our Help in Ages Past" and "Joy to the World."

Originally published in the Methodist Pocket Hymnbook of 1802, the hymn saw its share of revisions over the course of the 19th century.

"Beginning in 1831, the conclusion of the fifth stanza 'the crown enchants their eye' was replaced by the less troublesome 'by faith they bring it nigh,'" noted United Methodist Discipleship Ministries.

"The 1849 Methodist Episcopal Hymnal changed 'unhappy world' in stanza three, line three to 'vile world,' making a much stronger theological statement as to the condition of the earth."

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