Alleluia Alleluia Hearts to Heaven -- Christopher Wordsworth

It was Easter that Christopher Wordsworth was considering when he wrote one of his two hymns for that holiday occasion, “Alleluia, Alleluia! Hearts to Heaven” in 1862. He was an educated, multitalented man, with his heart bent toward Him in his life of scholarship and poetry that is thoroughly evident in this great hymn. His life’s purpose and ability merge in the composition, a compelling statement that one feels Wordsworth must have felt from deep inside. It was something he was saying after many years of development as a believer and a scholar. It was the most basic - and powerful - message one might hear.



Wordsworth’s London upbringing in a theologically and academically gifted family played no small part in his development. One might say that the publication of his first collection of hymns in The Holy Year, otherwise known as Hymns for Sundays and Holy Days Throughout the Year, and for Other Occasions, in 1862 (his 55th year) was a window on his family’s life. The poetry with which he was gifted was also shared by his famous poet-uncle William Wordsworth; Christopher won the Chancellor’s Gold Medal for poetry in 1827 and 1828. One wonders if Uncle William had previewed and edited his nephew’s prose. The hymnist was also a writer of topography and archaeology, including a notable work in epigraphy (study of ancient inscriptions). His father, also Christopher, was a doctor of theology, and his brothers, John and Charles, were scholars in their own right. Several of his own children and a son-in-law likewise were accomplished scholars or professional educators. So, the songs he wrote must have been the product of his erudite environment, too, and undoubtedly approved by those closest to him. Even the athletic ability he and his brother Charles possessed may have contributed to the agile words he composed. Indeed, the faith that shines forth in “Alleluia, Alleluia! Hearts to Heaven” shows a healthy mind and body were Wordsworth’s.



Wordsworth believed, like many hymnists of that era, as well as those of today, that compositions should teach truth. Oh sure, Easter is an immutable fact, the most important of all scripture, someone says, but aren’t there other truths? Wordsworth and his family certainly knew and discussed others. Nevertheless, the resurrection’s reality hadn’t dimmed for Wordsworth. His poem’s five verses restate Christ’s seminal moment in various forms, telling us that its author never grew tired of his faith’s foundation. My favorite verse is the one that translates His risen state to me, describing me as harvested grain. I hope I’m continuing to grow and ripen as the tall stalk, which Wordsworth writes is fed by Christ’s light. That’s great imagery, meant to touch my emotional center. God, too, is a poet – just look at Christ’s words. And, so I’m reminded by the composer that He’s trying to reach my soul – my emotional hub. He wants to draw me to the universe’s emotional-spiritual axis. So that’s what His resurrection is for.


Information on the composer was obtained from the books “Amazing Grace – 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions”, by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel Publications, 1990; and “A Treasury of Hymn Stories (Brief Biographies of 120 Hymnwriters with Their Best Hymns)”, by Amos R. Wells, Baker Book House, 1945.


Also see the following websites for a brief biography of the composer and some information on the hymn, which has five verses (according to two of the sources):

http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/w/o/r/wordsworth_c.htm



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Wordsworth



http://www.hymnary.org/text/alleluia_alleluia_hearts_to_heaven_and_v