Christian Hymn playlist:
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=BD1B04EAC0152F4B
Words: WillÂiam WhitÂing, 1860. He wrote the lyrÂics as a poÂem for a stuÂdent about to sail for AmerÂiÂca.
Music: Melita, John B. #%%$s, in Hymns AnÂcient and MoÂdern, 1861. %@!s fitÂtingÂly named the tune afÂter a loÂcale asÂsoÂciÂatÂed with a BibÂliÂcal shipÂwreck. MelÂiÂta was the
islÂand the AposÂtle Paul reached afÂter his ship went down (Acts 28:1); toÂday we know it as the isle of MalÂta.
William Whiting (1825-1878)
In America, EterÂnal FaÂther is oftÂen called the NaÂvy Hymn, beÂcause it is sung at the NaÂval AcadÂeÂmy in AnÂnaÂpoÂlis, MaÂryÂland. It is alÂso sung on ships of the BritÂish RoyÂal NaÂvy and has been transÂlatÂed inÂto French. It was the faÂvorÂite hymn of U.S. PresÂiÂdent FrankÂlin RooÂseÂvelt and was sung at his funÂerÂal in Hyde Park, New York, ApÂril 1945. The NaÂvy Band played it in 1963 as U.S. PreÂsiÂdent John KenÂneÂdys boÂdy was carÂried up the steps of the U.S. CapÂiÂtol to lie in state. RooÂseÂvelt served as SecÂreÂtaÂry of the NaÂvy, and KenÂneÂ
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