O'er the Gloomy Hills of Darkness

"O'er the Gloomy Hills of Darkness", also titled "O'er Those Gloomy Hills of Darkness",^[1] is a Welsh Christian hymn by William Williams Pantycelyn written in 1772. The hymn was written as a missionary hymn, purportedly under the commission of Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon. The hymn was later published in 374 hymnals worldwide^[2] though was censored and altered in the United States by slaveholders for evangelising to slaves. The hymn later fell out of favour with hymn book editors in the 1960s.

History

It is not known why the hymn was written, however there is a popular story as to why it was. George Bowen was converted to Christianity through hearing a Welsh girl singing hymns. He later went to stay at Llwyn-Gwair Manor at the same time that the Welsh Methodist Association were. While was there he met Williams and Bowen asked him to compose some verse about the Preseli Hills. "O'er the Gloomy Hills of Darkness" was then written as a result of these requests.^[1] Though it is possible that this story may be correct as Llwyn-Gwair Manor and Williams' bedroom at the manor did overlook Carn Igli, in the 19th century an alternative story arose. In this version, Williams was travelling to Pontrhydyfen and composing a new missionary hymn as part of a commission from Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon. Upon passing the ruins of an old Cistercian abbey and seeing the mountains he would have to cross on a stormy night, the view inspired him to write "O'er the Gloomy Hills of Darkness" for the Countess.^[1]

Controversy

The second verse of the hymn begins with the lines "Let the Indian, Let the Negro/Let the rude barbarian see". Williams included this after hearing stories of promising missionary contact with Cherokee tribes and with slaves in the Province of Georgia.^[3] When the hymn became established in the United States, slave owners changed the line referencing the Negro to "Let the dark benighted pagan". This was because teaching slaves to read was illegal and that slaveholders felt they could not earnestly and honestly sing a verse that endorsed educating black people to read the Bible.^[4] Welsh congregations meanwhile continued to use the original verse.^[4]

Hymnals

"O'er the Gloomy Hills of Darkness" first appeared in published hymnals in 1792.^[5] The hymn used a number of different tunes depending on the denomination. Baptists used Thomas Clark's Calcutta, Lutherans used Henry Gauntlett's Triumph and Presbyterianism used Edwin Moss' Ulpha. The hymn remained popular and continued to be published in its original form up until 1933.^[6] The hymn was later dropped from the Church of England's Hymns Ancient and Modern.^[6] After being published in 374 hymnals throughout history, in the 1960s the hymn stopped being published in all hymnals.^[7]

The hymn's style of lyrics were viewed to set the tone for future missionary hymns. "O'er the Gloomy Hills of Darkness" later inspired the founder of Methodism, Charles Wesley to write "Sun of Unclouded Righteousness" for missionaries working in "Mahometan" areas.^[6]

Lyrics

The lyrics of "O'er the Gloomy Hills of Darkness" as published in the 1838 Hymns Selected and Original for Public and Private Worship.^[2]

1.

O'er those gloomy hills of darkness

Look, my soul, be still, and gaze,

All the promises do travail

With a glorious day of grace;

Blessed Jubilee,

Let thy glorious morning dawn.

2.

Let the Indian, let the negro,

Let the rude Barbarian see,

That divine and glorious conquest

Once obtain'd on Calvary;

Let the gospel

Soon resound from pole to pole.

3.

Kingdoms wide that sit in darkness,

Grant them, Lord, the glorious light,

And from eastern coast to western,

May the morning chase the night;

And redemption,

Freely purchas'd, win the day.

4.

May the glorious day approaching,

Thine eternal love proclaim,

And the everlasting gospel,

Spread abroad thy holy name,

O'er the borders

Of the great Immanuel's land.

5.

Mighty Saviour, spread thy gospel,

Win and conquer, never cease,

May thy lasting wide dominions

Multiply and still increase;

Sway thy sceptre,

Saviour, all the world around.

References

1. Kirk, 100
2. "O'er the gloomy hills of darkness › Full Texts". Hymnary.org. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
3. Kirk, 108
4. Davis, Ebenezer (2007). American Scenes and Christian Slavery. Applewood Books. p. 150. ISBN 1429002670.
5. "O'er the gloomy hills of darkness, Instances". Hymnary.org. Retrieved 2016-04-30.
6. Richards, Jeffery (2001). Imperialism and Music: Britain, 1876-1953. Manchester University Press. p. 388. ISBN 0719061431.
7. "O'er the gloomy hills of darkness". Hymnary.org. Retrieved 2016-04-30.

Bibliography

• Kirk, John (2015). Cultures of Radicalism in Britain and Ireland. Routledge. ISBN 1317320654.