#60 "Battle Hymn of the Republic"

I am so glad that this hymn was added to the 1985 edition of the hymnbook.  This is a favorite one to sing around patriotic holidays (Independence Day, Memorial Day, Patriots' Day) even though it is a reference to the second coming of Christ.  My favorite memory of this song is singing it with the Southern California Mormon Choir during the bicentennial in 1976.  It seemed like we sang it at every concert.  The best part was this man in the choir who was tall and kind of looked like Abraham Lincoln.  He would come out during the song, dressed as Abraham Lincoln, and recite the Gettysburg Address.  Sometimes there would even be gasps from the audience when he first walked out in his tall stovepipe hat, long black coat, and full beard.  We sang the Wilhousky arrangement for all those concerts.  Great memories!

#59 "Come, O Thou King of Kings"

Another favorite!  I really like when the men echo the women in the last half of the song.  I love the message and the tune of this hymn.

#58 "Come, Ye Children of the Lord"

I love this hymn--both the tune and the text.  This was probably one of the first songs where I learned the alto line--it's a very easy part in this hymn. 

#57 "We're Not Ashamed to Own Our Lord"

This hymn tune was easy to play--key of "F", with just a few accidentals.  This tune is different from the one in the old 1950 hymnal and is listed in the "Choir" section.  To be honest, this is another one of those hymns that I probably wouldn't use for sacrament meeting.

#56 "Soflty Beams the Sacred Dawning"

This was the most difficult hymn I've played this year.  The key of "D-flat" is not an easy one to play.  I can't see ever using this hymn for congregational singing or in a choir setting just because it so difficult to play.  It makes me wonder why the 1985 hymnbook committee didn't ask the composer to change the key.  I know I won't be using this hymn as long as I'm the ward organist.  Sorry, Brother J. Spencer Cornwall.

#55 "Lo, the Mighty God Appearing!"

I've never sung or played this hymn before but I recognize the tune from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcasts.  In the old hymnal it was located in the "Choir" section, but has been modified for the 1985 hymnbook for congregational singing.  I like the energy of this song.

#54 "Behold, the Mountain of the Lord"

This hymn was a treat to discover!  I really like the tune, but I know I've never sung or played it before.  However, I did have a notation in my hymnal to sing the words to the tune of "America the Beautiful".  I think this would be a nice hymn for a choir to perform.