Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee

Bluegrass Gospel Version of the hymn"Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee"

It is a poem written by Henry van Dyke in 1907 with the intention of musically setting it to the famous "Ode to Joy" melody of the final movement of Ludwig van Beethoven's final symphony, Symphony No. 9

Van Dyke wrote this poem while in Williams College, Massachusetts while staying at the home of Harry Augustus Garfield. It was first published in 1911 by The Presbyterian Hymnal

 Van Dyke wrote of this hymn:

These verses are simple expressions of common Christian feelings and desires in this present time—hymns of today that may be sung together by people who know the thought of the age, and are not afraid that any truth of science will destroy religion, or any revolution on earth overthrow the kingdom of heaven. Therefore this is a hymn of trust and joy and hope.


1. Joyful, joyful, we adore thee, 
God of glory, Lord of love; 
hearts unfold like flowers before thee, 
opening to the sun above.  
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; 
drive the dark of doubt away.  
Giver of immortal gladness, 
fill us with the light of day!

2. All thy works with joy surround thee, 
earth and heaven reflect thy rays, 
stars and angels sing around thee, 
center of unbroken praise.  
Field and forest, vale and mountain, 
flowery meadow, flashing sea, 
chanting bird and flowing fountain, 
call us to rejoice in thee.

3. Thou art giving and forgiving, 
ever blessing, ever blest, 
well-spring of the joy of living, 
ocean depth of happy rest!  
Thou our Father, Christ our brother, 
all who live in love are thine; 
teach us how to love each other, 
lift us to the joy divine.

4. Mortals, join the mighty chorus 
which the morning stars began; 
love divine is reigning o'er us, 
binding all within its span.  
Ever singing, march we onward, 
victors in the midst of strife; 
joyful music leads us sunward, 
in the triumph song of life.

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