"Jesus, High in Glory"

Harriet Burn McKeever (1807-1887) wrote this simple hymn “Jesus, High in Glory” which was published in the American Methodist Episcopal hymnal called S.S. Harmonist. McKeever was a teacher in Philadelphia and heavily involved in St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church for which she wrote many hymns. Many of her hymns were very simple hymns with simple melodies, such as found in “Jesus, High in Glory.”

Timothy R. Matthews wrote the simple melodies that we sing now to the simple hymn “Jesus, High in Glory” in 1862. A well-known hymnist in his time, Matthews began his career in music by private tutoring of a Reverend’s family at Windsor Castle. He studied organ while working. He is most noted for founding the Working Men’s Institute in Nottingham.

“Jesus, High in Glory”

Jesus, high in glory,
Lend a listening ear;
When we bow before Thee,
Children’s praises hear.

Though Thou art so holy,
Heav’n’s almighty King,
Thou wilt stoop to listen
When Thy praise we sing.

We are little children,
Weak and apt to stray;
Savior, guide and keep us
In the heav’nly way.

Save us, Lord, from sinning;
Watch us day by day;
Help us now to love Thee;
Take our sins away.

Strengthen us for duty,
While on earth we live;
May we to Thy service
Our best talents give.

Then when Jesus calls us
To our heav’nly home,
We will gladly answer,
“Savior, Lord, we come.”

“Jesus, High in Glory” appears in Matthew’s North Coates Supplemental Tune Book, published in 1862. It is not known how Matthews was able to get the words from Harriet Burn McKeevey. However, he composed the simple melodies.

“Jesus, High in Glory”

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