Hymns

In this week’s programme we’re marking Sea Sunday – also described as a ‘Day of Prayer for Seafarers’.  It’s a time to remember and celebrate those whose workplace is the sea, with hymns including… Audio

It’s the middle of winter, and we’re celebrating the cold and dark in this week’s programme with some carols of the snowy variety: it’s the perfect time of year to sing In the Bleak Midwinter! Audio

The season of Matariki has begun. It’s a time to gather with family and friends to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and plan for the future. We touch on some of those Matariki themes in… Audio

When Sister Suzanne Toolan wrote I am the Bread of Life in the 1960s she almost threw the song away, thinking it wasn’t very good. Since then, it’s been sung all over the world in many denominations… Audio

Celebrate Trinity Sunday in this episode, with Trinitarian hymns including Reginald Heber's Holy, holy, holy and Firmly I believe, and truly by Cardinal John Henry Newman. Audio

Hymns to mark Pentecost Sunday this week and, on this Platinum Jubilee Queen’s Birthday Weekend, we’ll hear some of the Queen’s favourite hymns along with a hymn sung at her coronation in 1953. Video, Audio

Hymns to celebrate the Feast of the Ascension in this episode, including Charles Wesley’s Hail the day that sees him rise, and Christ ascends to God by New Zealander Marnie Barrell. And we mark the… Audio

Today’s programme begins with a hymn that’s been covered by the likes of Neil Diamond, Judy Collins, Kenny Rogers, and maybe most famously by Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam) in the 1970s: Morning has broken… Audio

Hymns with a thankfulness theme in this week's programme, as well as some harvest hymns to reflect those cooler days and autumn colours that are all around us at the moment. Audio

Celebrating Mother's Day this week with some hymns of praise to Mary, and Shirley Murray’s Loving Spirit. Audio

Beekeeper, comic opera composer and professor of anatomy: just some of the interesting occupations of the people involved in this week’s selection of hymns. Audio

In today’s programme we mark Anzac Day on 25 April with hymns including O God, our help in ages past and Shirley Murray’s New Zealand Anzac hymn, Honour the dead. Audio

Celebrate Easter Sunday with hymns including Jesus Christ is risen today, The day of resurrection and Shirley Murray’s Christ is alive. Audio

Hymns to mark this important date in the Christian calendar, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus. Audio

It’s Palm Sunday today, the Sunday before Easter that commemorates the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Hymns include All glory, laud and honour, and Ride on! King Jesus. Audio

Children’s hymns feature in this week’s programme, including Cecil Frances Alexander’s well-known hymn There is a green hill far away.  Audio

This week’s programme includes some communion hymns, there’s a favourite hymn by Quaker John Greenleaf Whittier – Dear Lord and father of mankind – and we continue our series of Psalm 23 settings with… Audio

There's an Irish flavour to this week's hymns, marking St Patrick's Day on 17 March. Audio

We’re continuing our series of Psalm 23 (The Lord’s My Shepherd) settings with My shepherd will supply my need. It was written in the early 18^th century by Isaac Watts, who was an important figure in… Audio

We’ve hymns to mark the first Sunday in Lent this week, there are some peace-themed hymns, and you can hear another setting of Psalm 23 The Lord’s My Shepherd. Audio