I am a conservative, because I believe some things are worth conserving. Like hymns that speak of faith in God, faith that carries us through this ever darker world. These hymns, passed down, remind us of God’s eternal verities–the same though heaven and earth pass away — and they lift us out of ourselves to look up at Jesus.
Our Savior doesn’t evolve, he doesn’t change with the times. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Things are getting darker around us in this world, but that only means that the light of our Savior shines brighter.
I was looking for a recording of Beautiful Savior earlier, and heard many beautiful contemporary arrangements of it. Then I heard this one, and it caused me to stop. Out of the past, 1941, these voices from St. Olaf’s rose up and turned my heart to praise. This is the signature piece the college has used for their well known Christmas programs that air on PBS. But this 1941 version has something in it that I love. For once, I can’t put it into words exactly.
The first verse is just humming the familiar old melody, then the female soloist, then the choir. These choral students who recorded this so long ago never dreamed someone would be listening in 2016, but their gifts bring a blessing all these years later, because they sing of the beauty of our Savior whose light never dims.
Fair are the meadows,
Fair are the woodlands,
Robed in flowers of blooming spring;
Jesus is fairer,
Jesus is purer;
He makes our sorrowing spirit sing.
Beautiful Savior,
Lord of the nations,
Son of God and Son of Man!
Glory and honor,
Praise, adoration,
Now and forevermore be Thine!
Amen, Amen.
The Hope Blog 
True words, Ingrid: ” These choral students who recorded this so long ago never dreamed someone would be listening in 2016, but their gifts bring a blessing all these years later, because they sing of the beauty of our Savior whose light never dims.”
Ingrid,
I would love the ability to re-blog this. Is there a reason you have turned this ability off? Your blog is on my blog roll because I’ve respected you ever since I heard you on the radio. May I use your words here as long as they are not changed in any way? I will make sure you get credit for them. This was one of my favorite hymns as a youth.
God’s blessings…
Hmmm, Chris, I checked my settings and the reblog button is supposedly on, but I couldn’t see it either. It used to show up as an alert in my email when someone did that. Feel free to cut and paste with attribution if you want with a link back or something. Sorry about that! I’m glad you liked the hymn.
Thank you, Ingrid. I will definitely link to your blog. One question: I can’t remember the name of the radio show you used to be on? Would you remind me? It was such a good show and I would like to mention that you used to spend a good deal of time there. What were you called there? A host?
Thanks, Chris. I was producer and co-host of the Crosstalk Radio Talk Show for 23 years. I grew up in Christian radio and the halls of the ministry. A total of 43 years at VCY America, if you count my entire life there. 😉
Yes, Crosstalk, of course. You did a wonderful job there. 🙂 I would listen to you when I waited to pick my son up from late night basketball games. He was the high school team manager.
Forgot to say, “You’re welcome.”