Joshua Bennett
On Eagle's Wings is a Christian hymn by Fr. Michael Joncas that has become popular in both Catholic and Protestant traditions. The song was originally composed for the funeral of a friend's father in 1976 and published in 1979. It has been translated into several languages and is often used in funeral services, including those of victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and former American president Joe Biden's son, Beau Biden. While some have criticised the hymn for its simplistic approach to scripture, others have embraced it as a source of comfort and connection to their Catholic faith.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Composer | Fr. Michael Joncas |
| First Performance | St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in Omaha |
| Year of First Performance | 1976 |
| Year of Publication | 1979 |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Christian hymn |
| Use Cases | Weddings, funerals, Sunday Mass |
| Notable Performances | Memorial service after the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, Luciano Pavarotti's funeral |
| Notable Mentions | Joe Biden quoted the hymn in his 2020 presidential election victory speech |
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What You'll Learn
'On Eagle's Wings' is a Christian hymn by Fr. Michael Joncas
"On Eagle's Wings" is a Christian hymn by Fr. Michael Joncas. It was originally composed for the funeral of a friend's father, H. Douglas Hall, in 1976 and published in 1979. The hymn is based on Psalm 91, with references to Exodus 19 and Matthew 13. While the psalm itself contains no references to eagles, Joncas adds the analogy of an eagle following the mention of angels from on high sent by God for protection. The song is set to a wide vocal range, spanning from a low A to a high E, similar to the Star-Spangled Banner.
"On Eagle's Wings" has gained significant popularity in both Catholic and Protestant hymnody. It has been translated into several languages, including Italian, Spanish, and Polish, and has been performed by notable artists such as Michael Crawford, Lana Del Rey, and Susan Powell. The hymn has been used at various memorial services and funerals, including those of victims of the Oklahoma City bombing and 9/11 terrorist attacks, as well as the funeral of Luciano Pavarotti.
Former U.S. President Joe Biden, the second Catholic president in U.S. history, has quoted the hymn on multiple occasions, including his 2020 presidential election victory speech and the National Prayer Breakfast in 2024. Biden's use of the hymn highlighted his pride in being Catholic and conveyed a message of compassion and hopefulness during his leadership.
Despite its popularity, "On Eagle's Wings" has faced some criticism. Some traditionalists in the Catholic Church find the newer hymns, including "On Eagle's Wings," to be lacking in theological depth and Catholic particularity. Critics argue that the lyrics, which are adapted from Scripture, could benefit from the church's long history of exegesis and magisterial teaching. Additionally, the hymn has been described as having a ""saccharine and folksy approach" to scripture, contributing to its controversial reputation.
However, others defend the hymn, acknowledging its ability to meet people where they are and provide comfort during difficult times. "On Eagle's Wings" has been praised for its versatility, as it can be appropriately used in various contexts, including funerals, weddings, and regular Sunday Mass. Ultimately, the hymn continues to hold a significant place in Christian worship, especially within the Catholic Church, where it is cherished as a symbol of Catholic identity and community.
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The hymn is based on Psalm 91, with references to Exodus 19 and Matthew 13
"On Eagle's Wings" is a Christian hymn by Fr. Michael Joncas. It was originally composed for the funeral of a friend's father in 1976 and published in 1979. The hymn is based on Psalm 91, with references to Exodus 19 and Matthew 13. The psalm itself does not contain any references to eagles, but Joncas adds the analogy of an eagle following the mention of angels from on high sent by God for protection. This analogy of the eagle serves as a powerful image of strength and freedom, capturing the faith that sustains many.
The hymn is a non-rhyming, close paraphrase of the psalm with a free versification. It has a wide vocal range, spanning from a low A to a high E, the same range as the Star-Spangled Banner. The song has been described as having a "lilting pop melody" with "sweet God talk". While it has been criticised for its overly warm and "reformed-folk" style, it has gained significant popularity in both Catholic and Protestant hymnody and is commonly used in funeral services.
The hymn has been translated into several languages, including Italian, Spanish, and Polish. It has been quoted and referenced by former U.S. President Joe Biden, a practising Catholic, on several occasions, including his 2020 presidential election victory speech and the National Prayer Breakfast in 2024. Biden's use of the hymn has brought it further into the public eye and contributed to its popularity.
"On Eagle's Wings" has become a source of comfort and inspiration for many, offering a contemporary expression of faith and hope. It serves as a reminder of God's protection and strength, with the eagle's wings symbolising the shelter and refuge that believers find in the Lord. The hymn's message resonates with people from all walks of life, providing solace and encouragement during difficult times.
Overall, "On Eagle's Wings" is a powerful and beloved hymn that has touched the hearts of many, both within the Catholic Church and beyond. Its combination of scripture, analogy, and melody has created a lasting impact, making it a cherished part of Christian worship and devotion.
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It is a popular hymn at Christian funerals
"On Eagle's Wings" is a Christian hymn by Father Michael Joncas, originally composed for the funeral of a friend's father in 1976. It has since been used in many memorial services, including those for the victims of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The hymn is based on Psalm 91, with references to Exodus 19 and Matthew 13. The psalm itself does not mention eagles, but Joncas adds this analogy to the song, drawing from the image of angels sent by God for protection. The song's lyrics emphasise triumph and victory, with promises that God will "bear you on the breath of dawn" and "make you shine like the sun".
The hymn has been criticised for its folksy and sentimental approach to scripture, with some traditionalists expressing disapproval of contemporary sacred music. However, it has gained significant popularity and is often sung at Christian funerals. Native American Catholics have also found a special connection to the song due to the eagle motif. The song has been translated into several languages, including Italian, Spanish, and Polish, and has been performed by notable artists such as Michael Crawford, Lana Del Rey, and Susan Powell.
Former US President Joe Biden, the second Catholic president in US history, has quoted the hymn on several occasions, including his 2020 election victory speech and the National Prayer Breakfast in 2024. Biden's reference to the hymn served as an affirmation of his Catholic identity and conveyed a message of compassion and hopefulness during his leadership. The song was also played at the funeral of his son, Beau Biden, further highlighting its significance within the Christian faith.
"On Eagle's Wings" holds a special place in Christian funerals, offering comfort and solace to those grieving. Its meaningful lyrics and soaring melody resonate with people from various Christian denominations, making it a popular choice during memorial services. The hymn's ability to articulate a range of emotions has likely contributed to its enduring popularity in Christian funeral traditions.
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Native American Catholics have a special connection to the song
"On Eagle's Wings" is a Christian hymn by Fr. Michael Joncas. It was originally composed for the funeral of a friend's father in 1976 and published in 1979. The hymn has been quoted several times by former U.S. President Joe Biden and has been performed by Michael Crawford and Lana Del Rey. It is also commonly used at funerals, such as those of Beau Biden and Luciano Pavarotti. The song was also played at the memorial service after the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing and at the funerals of many victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The hymn is based on Psalm 91, with references to Exodus 19 and Matthew 13. The psalm itself does not contain any references to eagles, but Joncas adds the analogy of an eagle following the mention of angels from on high sent by God for protection. It is a non-rhyming, close paraphrase of the psalm with free versification. The song requires a wide vocal range, spanning from a low A to a high E, the same range as the Star-Spangled Banner.
"On Eagle's Wings" has achieved global popularity and has been translated into various languages, including Italian, Spanish, and Polish. It has become a Christian funeral classic and is often used to comfort people during difficult times in their lives. The song has also been criticized for its saccharine and folksy approach to scripture. However, despite the criticism, the song continues to be popular and holds special significance for many people, including Native American Catholics.
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The hymn is criticised for its folksy approach to scripture
"On Eagle's Wings" is a Christian hymn by Father Michael Joncas. It was originally composed for the funeral of a friend's father in 1976 and published in 1979. The hymn has been criticised for its folksy approach to scripture, with some deeming it overly sentimental and lacking in theological depth.
The hymn is based on Psalm 91, with references to Exodus 19 and Matthew 13. While the psalm itself contains no references to eagles, Joncas adds the analogy of an eagle following the mention of angels from on high sent by God for protection. This addition of the eagle motif has been a point of contention for some critics, who view it as an irreverent interpretation of scripture. The song's wide vocal range and melodic leaps have also been noted, with some considering it more suitable for musical theatre than a sacred hymn.
The criticism of "On Eagle's Wings" extends beyond its musical qualities. Some traditionalists within the Catholic Church argue that contemporary hymns, including "On Eagle's Wings", fail to convey the depth of Catholic theology and particularity. They contend that these newer hymns focus too heavily on Scripture alone, neglecting the Church's long history of exegesis and magisterial teaching. This criticism is not unique to "On Eagle's Wings" but reflects a broader debate within Catholicism about the role and style of sacred music.
Despite the criticisms, "On Eagle's Wings" has achieved global popularity and is well-loved by many Christians. It has been translated into various languages and is particularly cherished as a funeral hymn, offering comfort and solace to those grieving. Native American Catholics have also formed a special connection with the song due to the eagle's significance in their spiritual traditions.
The hymn has been quoted by notable figures such as former U.S. President Joe Biden, who referenced it in his 2020 election victory speech. Biden's use of the hymn illustrates its ability to resonate with people beyond its original religious context, further contributing to its widespread recognition.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, 'On Eagle's Wings' is a Christian hymn that is popular in both Catholic and Protestant hymnody.
'On Eagle's Wings' was written by Father Michael Joncas.
'On Eagle's Wings' was written in 1976 for the funeral of a friend's father and published in 1979.
The hymn is based on Psalm 91, with references to Exodus 19 and Matthew 13. It describes the promise that God will "bear you on the breath of dawn" and "make you shine like the sun".
'On Eagle's Wings' was first performed at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in Omaha.
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