Sarah Mitchell
I Watch the Sunrise is a popular hymn that has been used in funeral services, memorial ceremonies, and weddings. It was written in 1970 by the Roman Catholic priest and poet John Glynn and set to an unnamed tune by Glynn's friend, Colin Murphy. The uplifting yet reverent hymn is about God's presence throughout life's seasons and has been recorded by various artists.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Genre | Hymn |
| Theme | Reflection, peace, faith, and God's presence |
| Mood | Uplifting and reverent |
| Lyrics | I watch the sunrise lighting the sky, Casting its shadows near. And on this morning bright though it be, I feel those shadows near me. But you are always close to me Following all my ways. May I be always close to you Following all your ways, Lord. |
| Writer | John Glynn |
| Year | 1970 |
| Tune | Unnamed, composed by Colin Murphy |
| Time signature | 4/4 |
| Key | C |
| First few notes | G G GG G_ FGA G_ |
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What You'll Learn
'I Watch the Sunrise' was written by a Roman Catholic priest
"I Watch the Sunrise" is a Christian hymn that is often used in funeral services. It is a popular hymn across denominations and is often sung at military services, sporting events, and state funerals. The song is about God's presence throughout life's seasons and finding peace in loss.
The hymn was written in 1970 by John Glynn, a Roman Catholic priest and poet. It was set to an unnamed tune by Glynn's friend, Colin Murphy. The song became extremely popular for both weddings and funerals and has also been used at various memorial ceremonies and in TV shows and soundtracks.
The lyrics of "I Watch the Sunrise" are uplifting and reverent, expressing faith in God and peace with loss. The chorus is unusual because a short phrase in it is different each time: "But," "For," and "May" are used interchangeably in the first line of the chorus. Some people find this difficult, and sing the chorus the same way after each verse.
> I watch the sunrise lighting the sky,
> Casting its shadows near.
> And on this morning bright though it be,
> I feel those shadows near me.
> But you are always close to me
> Following all my ways.
> May I be always close to you
> Following all your ways, Lord.
"I Watch the Sunrise" has a special meaning for many people and has been a source of comfort and strength for those facing difficult times. It is a beautiful example of how hymns can uplift and inspire, providing solace and hope in times of need.
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The hymn is popular at funerals
"I Watch the Sunrise" is a popular hymn choice for funerals. It is a traditional Christian hymn that is popular across denominations. The hymn was written in 1970 by the Roman Catholic priest and poet, John Glynn, and set to an unnamed tune by Glynn's friend, Colin Murphy. The song became extremely popular for both weddings and funerals and has also been used at various memorial ceremonies.
The uplifting yet reverent lyrics of "I Watch the Sunrise" make it a comforting choice for those grieving the loss of a loved one. The hymn expresses faith in God and peace with loss, conveying a sense of God's constant presence and guidance through life's struggles. This message resonates deeply with those seeking solace and hope during difficult times.
The hymn's ability to provide comfort and strength through its words and melody has made it a beloved choice for funeral services. It offers a sense of peace and reassurance, reminding those in attendance that God is always near, even in the midst of sorrow and uncertainty. The lyrics speak of reflection and faith, capturing the emotions of those navigating the complexities of grief.
"I Watch the Sunrise" has been recorded by various artists, contributing to its widespread recognition and appeal. Its versatility and adaptability have allowed it to transcend religious boundaries, making it relevant and meaningful across different Christian denominations. The hymn's enduring popularity is a testament to its ability to offer solace and hope during life's most challenging moments.
The choice of music for a funeral plays a significant role in honouring the memory of the deceased and providing comfort to those in mourning. "I Watch the Sunrise," with its beautiful lyrics and uplifting message, has become a cherished part of funeral traditions, offering a sense of peace and a reminder of God's enduring presence.
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It is a folk-style hymn
"I Watch the Sunrise" is a folk-style hymn written in 1970 by the English poet, hymn writer, and Roman Catholic priest John Glynn. The song was first published in 20th Century Folk Hymnal, Volume 2, in 1975 under the original title "Close to You". The tune was composed by Glynn's friend and fellow student Colin Murphy.
The hymn is about God's presence throughout life's seasons and is often used in funeral services. It has been described as uplifting and reverent, making it a popular choice for funerals. The song is also set to an unnamed tune, which was written by Colin Murphy.
The lyrics of "I Watch the Sunrise" are as follows:
> I watch the sunrise lighting the sky,
> Casting its shadows near.
> And on this morning bright though it be,
> I feel those shadows near me.
>
> But you are always close to me
> Following all my ways.
> May I be always close to you
> Following all your ways, Lord.
>
> I watch the sunlight shine through the clouds,
> Warming the earth below.
> And at mid-day, life seems to say:
> I feel your brightness near me.
>
> For you are always close to me
> Following all my ways.
> May I be always close to you
> Following all your ways, Lord.
>
> I watch the sunset fading away,
> Lighting the clouds with sleep.
> And as the evening closes its eyes,
> I feel your presence near me.
>
> For you are always close to me
> Following all my ways.
> May I be always close to you
> Following all your ways, Lord.
The chorus is unusual because a short phrase in it is different each time: "But"/"For"/"May I". Some people find this difficult and choose to sing it the same way after each verse.
"I Watch the Sunrise" has been recorded by a number of artists, including Daniel O'Donnell, who is sometimes incorrectly listed as the writer. The hymn has also been used at various memorial ceremonies and in TV shows and soundtracks.
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The song is set to an unnamed tune
"I Watch the Sunrise" is a traditional Christian hymn that is often used in funeral services. The song's uplifting yet reverent lyrics revolve around reflection, peace, and faith, making it a popular choice for funerals across denominations. It is also sung at military services, sporting events, and state funerals.
The hymn was written in 1970 by John Glynn, an English poet, hymn writer, and Roman Catholic priest. The tune for the hymn, however, remains unnamed. It was composed by Glynn's friend and fellow student, Colin Murphy. Murphy, who passed away in 2018, was also a seminarian.
"I Watch the Sunrise" has a 4/4 time signature and is in the key of C. The first few notes are G G GG G_ FGA G_ with accompanying chords C / F / C. The sheet music is available for purchase, and the hymn can be found in several hymnals, including "Hymns Old and New" and "Singing the Faith Plus."
The lyrics of the hymn are copyrighted and cannot be reproduced without permission. However, the chorus, with its unique structure, is particularly noteworthy. Each time the chorus is repeated, a short phrase within it changes:
> But you are always close to me
> Following all my ways.
> May I be always close to you
> Following all your ways, Lord.
The song became widely popular for both weddings and funerals and has been used at various memorial ceremonies and in TV shows and soundtracks. It has been recorded by numerous artists, including Daniel O'Donnell, who is sometimes incorrectly credited as the writer.
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'I Watch the Sunrise' is a Christian hymn
"I Watch the Sunrise" is a Christian hymn written by English poet, hymn writer, and Roman Catholic priest John Glynn in 1970. It was first published in 20th Century Folk Hymnal, Vol. 2 in 1975 under the original title "Close to You". The song is set to an unnamed tune by Glynn's friend and fellow seminarian Colin Murphy. The hymn has since been recorded by various artists, including Daniel O'Donnell, who is sometimes incorrectly credited as the writer.
"I Watch the Sunrise" is a popular choice for funeral services and has been used at memorial ceremonies, such as those for the Hillsborough disaster and the Manchester bombing. It has also been featured in TV shows and soundtracks. The hymn's uplifting yet reverent lyrics express faith in God and peace with loss, making it a comforting choice for those grieving.
The hymn begins with the following verse:
> I watch the sunrise lighting the sky,
> Casting its shadows near.
> And on this morning bright though it be,
> I feel those shadows near me.
The chorus emphasizes closeness with God and the desire to follow His ways:
> But you are always close to me
> Following all my ways.
> May I be always close to you
> Following all your ways, Lord.
"I Watch the Sunrise" is a beautiful example of a Christian hymn that provides comfort and hope during difficult times. It serves as a reminder of God's constant presence and guidance, offering solace to those navigating grief and uncertainty.
In addition to its use in funeral services, "I Watch the Sunrise" has also been employed in wedding ceremonies. The hymn's message of faith, peace, and reflection resonates with couples embarking on a new chapter together and seeking God's blessing and presence in their journey.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, 'I Watch the Sunrise' is a Catholic hymn written by Roman Catholic priest and poet John Glynn in 1970.
The hymn was first published in 20th Century Folk Hymnal vol 2 in 1975 under the original title "Close to You". It became popular for weddings and funerals and has been used in memorial services and TV shows.
The hymn expresses faith in God and peace with loss. It talks about God's presence and how he is always close to us, following all our ways.
A verse that captures the theme of the hymn is, "I watch the sunset fading away, Lighting the clouds with sleep. And as the evening closes its eyes, I feel your presence near me. For you are always close to me Following all my ways".
The tune for 'I Watch the Sunrise' was composed by Glynn's friend and fellow student Colin Murphy. The tune does not have a name.
