Notes on Notes
by Becky Solomon for August 23, 2026
This Sunday’s special music is “Come, Christians, Join to Sing,” a hymn with lyrics as relevant today as when they were written by Christian Henry Bateman, a new pastor in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1843 – almost 200 years ago!
Originally titled “Come, Children, Join to Sing,” the lyrics are simple enough for a child, with a repeated, insistent phrase “Alleluia! Amen!” at the end of every line through the entire song. So even if people didn’t know all the words to the song, at least they could join in on every “Alleluia! Amen!”
For example, here is verse 1:
Come, Christians, join to sing Alleulia! Amen!
Loud praise to Christ, our King Alleulia! Amen!
Let all with heart and voice before His throne rejoice.
Praise is His gracious choice Alleulia! Amen!
So, imagine yourself singing Alleluia! Amen! for the repeated phrases as you listen to the 4-hand piano duet that Somlee Lee and I will be playing. I hope that the energy and joy will be contagious as we all praise God together!