STORIES BEHIND THE HYMNS: "FOR ALL THE SAINTS"

By Tim Claubaugh

TEXT: William W. How, 1823-1897
MUSIC: Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958
TUNE: SINE NOMINE
METER: 10, 10, 10 with alleluias

William How was a bishop in the Church of England. He is known for his work among the poor in the urban slums and for his instruction of children. Most of his fifty-four published hymns were written for children. Their artful simplicity made them easily understood by children.

This hymn for the feast of All Saints Day was first published in “Hymns for Saints’ Days and Other Hymns” in 1864. Originally set to another tune, the great English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams set this hymn to his SINE NOMINE tune which works very well as a processional hymn. This hymn with Vaughan Williams tune was first published in “English Hymnal” in 1906. This volume contains many true processional hymns in a “Medieval Procession Tradition.”

In Austin Lovelace’s book, “Hymn Notes for Church Bulletins,” he writes: “Based on the picture of a “cloud of witnesses” (Hebrews 12:1), the hymn gives thanks for the saints of old, makes a prayer that we may be found faithful, and acknowledges the unity of the whole Church in heaven and on earth in the mystical body of Christ, a picture of the church in holy warfare, and a vision of the victorious Church. Vaughan Willams’ magnificent marching tune makes this a contemporary version of “When the Saints Go Marching In.”


1. For all the saints who from their labors rest,
All who by faith before the world confessed,
Your name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

2. You were their rock, their fortress and their might;
You, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought fight;
You in the darkness drear, their one true light.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

3. O may your soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win with them, the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

4. O Blest communion, family divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one within your great design.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

5. And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

6. The golden evening brightens in the west
Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

7. But then there breaks a yet more glorious day:
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on his way.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

8. From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia! Alleluia!