A Little History on Some Favorite Family Hymns:
Karolina Wilhelmina Sandell-Berg (1832-1903) who was born in Småland, Sweden was the daughter of a Lutheran pastor. A boat trip across Lake Vättern to Göteborg ended in tragedy when she witnessed her father drown after falling overboard. She was 26 at the time. This had a profound effect on Karolina, which inspired her to write hymns, pouring out her broken heart into beautiful song. It is said that she wrote about 650 hymns. The hymns were popularized by composer Oskar Ahnfelt, who sang her hymns throughout Scandinavia.
The two most popular and beloved hymns are Tryggare Kan Ingen Vara, (Children of the Heavenly Father), and Blott en Dag, (Day by Day). These are favorite hymns of the family. (click below to hear each hymn)
The two most popular and beloved hymns are Tryggare Kan Ingen Vara, (Children of the Heavenly Father), and Blott en Dag, (Day by Day). These are favorite hymns of the family. (click below to hear each hymn)
Tryggare Kan Ingen Vara, (Children of the Heavenly Father)
Blott en Dag, (Day by Day)
Another favorite hymn of the family, "How Great Thou Art," was written by Carl Gustaf Boberg (1859-1940). He was a Swedish pastor, editor, and member of the Swedish parliament. This hymn was inspired by an event when Pastor Broberg was out walking one day. He was caught in a sudden and severe thunderstorm with high winds. After the storm was over, Mr. Boberg looked out over the clear bay. He then heard a church bell in the distance. The words to How Great Thou Art began to form in his heart -- O Lord, my God, When I in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds Thy hands hath made. . . there was such calmness after the fierce storm that he could only utter those words of peace.
This poem, titled O Store Gud (O Great God) was published in 1891 in Witness of the Truth, the weekly newspaper that Boberg edited.
Boberg first published "O Store Gud" in the Mönsterås Tidningen (Mönsterås News) on 13 March 1886 .
The poem was later set to an old Swedish folk tune, and sung in public for the first known occasion in a church in the Swedish province of Värmland in 1888. (click below to hear this favorite hymn)
This poem, titled O Store Gud (O Great God) was published in 1891 in Witness of the Truth, the weekly newspaper that Boberg edited.
Boberg first published "O Store Gud" in the Mönsterås Tidningen (Mönsterås News) on 13 March 1886 .
The poem was later set to an old Swedish folk tune, and sung in public for the first known occasion in a church in the Swedish province of Värmland in 1888. (click below to hear this favorite hymn)