Memorial Day: 7 sacred songs of solemn remembrance, hope for peace

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Saturday, May 28, 2022

God of Our Fathers

A song strongly associated with the U.S., the hymn “God of Our Fathers” was written in 1876 by Daniel Crane Roberts as part of the nation's Fourth of July centennial celebration.

Originally, the song used the melody “Russian Hymn,” but later, George William Warren, an organist for St. Thomas Episcopal Church in New York City, composed the more familiar tune used in the present day.

“Some years later, the Episcopal Church decided to publish a new hymnal and invited input. Roberts submitted this hymn for consideration, but was so uncertain of its worth that he did so anonymously,” explained the website Sermon Writer.

“He was surprised when the committee elected to include it in the hymnal, and at that time made his name known. The hymnal was published in 1892.”