The Originals: How Great Thou Art

by | May 28, 2015 | Audio, History

Each article in The Originals series highlights the first recorded version of a popular Southern Gospel song.

The song “How Great Thou Art” that we know today has an elaborate history. The song’s roots date to a 1885 Swedish poem by Carl Gustav Boberg title “O Store Gud.” The origin of the melody is also Swedish. The first English translation was made by a professor at North Park College in Illinois named E. Gustav Johnson. Johnson’s version was published in the Covenant Hymnal under the title “O Mighty God” in 1925.

Johnson’s version is not the same as the song we know and love today, however. That version came to us by a different route. The Swedish lyrics were translated into German around 1907. The German version was then translated into Russian around 1912. Then, in 1931, British missionary Stuart K. Hine heard the Russian version while on a mission trip to Ukraine. Hine subsequently translated it into English, adding two fresh verses.

Hine’s “final” version (though not really final) was published in 1949 in the Russian gospel magazine he published called Grace and Peace. In 1953, Hine’s added two more alternate verses that generally aren’t included in modern hymnals. Manna Music, owned by former Sons Of The Pioneers singer Tim Spencer, secured the publishing rights. The company tweaked a couple of words; “works” became “worlds” and “mighty” became “rolling.” That’s the version most people are familiar with today.

It’s possible someone recorded Hine’s “How Great Thou Art” earlier, but we do know that the first recording after Manna Music became the publisher and made those final tweaks to the lyric was by a singer named Bill Carle. His version is an extended piece with scripture quotations between the verses of the songs.

You can hear Carle’s first verse and chorus in the following audio clip:

As you can hear, Bill Carle’s delivery style is similar to that of George Beverly Shea who would sing the song around the world starting a few years later.

Like “I’ll Fly Away” and “Amazing Grace,” the number of artists who have recorded Hine’s “How Great Thou Art” is astounding. The song’s exposure via the Billy Graham crusades and a popular recording by Elvis Presley made it part of the fabric of Christian life around the world.

Even if you limit the recordings to Southern Gospel artists, the list is extensive. Below are links to groups on MusicScribe’s sister website, SGHistory.com along with a list of their albums that include “How Great Thou Art.”

  • Ambassadors (1978 Love Is Easy)
  • Anchormen (1994 Songs From Yesteryear; 2008 Foundations; ???? A Song To Sing)
  • Anthony Burger (1991 Precious Memories; 1997 The Story; 1997 My Best To You; 1999 All Aboard Live; 2008 Hymns)
  • Apostles Of Little Rock (2000 Southern Classics)
  • Bill Baize (1976 Because Of Calvary)
  • Bill Gaither Trio (1960 Presenting The Gaither Trio Of Indiana; 1990 Hymn Classics)
  • Blackwood Brothers (1960 The Blackwood Brothers In Concert; 1964 The Best Of The Blackwood Brothers Quartet; 1973 How Great Thou Art; 1973 On Stage; 1975 Hymns Of Gold; 1979 Live! At The National Quartet Convention; 1982 How Great Thou Art; 1990 USA Tour, Vol. 1; 1998 Learning To Lean On Jesus; 1999 Elvis Favorites: Blackwood Brothers Quartet Sing Songs Elvis Sang; 2007 Live In Cape Coral; 2011 Live From Florida)
  • Blackwood Singers (1971 Super Hits Of…; 1973 Turn Your Radio On)
  • Blue Ridge Quartet (1965 The Blue Ridge Quartet; 1967 Blue Ridge Quartet Sings America’s 12 Favorite Hymns; 1975 Reflections)
  • Browns (2013 Heritage Hymn Collection Volume 2)
  • Buddy Liles (???? Thanks Friends; 2001 Visit The Cross; 2010 I’ll See You In Heaven Someday)
  • Calvarymen Quartet (???? The Soul Sounds Of The Calvarymen; 1981 Silver Anniversary Live; ???? On Track)
  • Carroll Roberson (???? His Hand In Mine)
  • Cathedral Quartet (1964 Beyond the Sunset; 1970 A Little Bit of Everything; 1974 Live in Concert; 1996 The Cathedral Collection; 1999 21 Favorite Hymns And Songs Of The Church)
  • Chosen Few (1993 The Classics; 2004 Tribute To The Glory Days)
  • Churchmen (1998 The Drifter)
  • Clayton Inman (???? Life Is Good)
  • Collingsworth Family (2005 God Is Faithful; 2010 A Decade Of Memories)
  • Couriers (1960 Answers Your Requests; 1976 Ovation – Live)
  • Dixie Echoes (1968 Exciting & Inspiring; 1968 He Touched Me; 1980 Jesus Made Me a Promise; 2003 The Old Fashioned Way; 2011 Live At Silver Dollar City)
  • Dixie Melody Boys (2004 Historic Journey Volume 3; 2005 Historic Journey Volume 8)
  • Doug Oldham (1969 I’ve Got To Go On)
  • Down East Boys (1985 Heartfelt; 2008 The Collection Volume One)
  • Easter Brothers (199? Songs That Will Never Grow Old)
  • Ed Crawford (???? Traditionally Yours)
  • Eddie Crook (2008 Wonderful Grace; ???? Country Hymns; ???? Blessed Assurance)
  • Elvis Presley (1967 How Great Thou Art; 1974 Elvis Recorded Live On Stage In Memphis; 1977 Elvis In Concert)
  • Ernie Phillips (???? Southern Gospel Favorites)
  • Florida Boys (1958 11th Anniversary Album, 1967 Singing Through Life; 1973 Better Than Ever; 1977 In Concert…Live; 1991 Live; 1993 Greatest Hits; 1995 Gospel Gold; 1996 Together; 1998 The Florida Boys Collection; 2000 I’m Forgiven; 2007 The Ultimate Collection; ???? Golden Favorites)
  • Foggy River Boys (1959 Single)
  • Freemans (1999 Memory Lane Scrapbook)
  • Gaither Homecoming Series (2001 Best Of Homecoming 2001)
  • Galileans (1969 Gospel Fiesta; 1977 Feelings That We Feel)
  • Gary McSpadden And Chosen (2000 Southern Gospel Classics)
  • Gene McDonald (2010 I Have Returned)
  • George Beverly Shea (1956 Inspirational Songs; 1965 Best Of George Beverly Shea; 1969 How Great Thou Art)
  • Gerald Wolfe (2011 Hymns You Asked For)
  • Gold City (1986 Your Favorite Hymns)
  • Gold City and Kingsmen Quartet (1992 Kings Gold)
  • Gospel Brass (1976 In Session)
  • Gospel Harmony Boys (1961 I’m Redeemed; 1968 Jesus Walked All The Way; 1969 Inspirational Relaxation)
  • Gospelaires (???? Musical Moments of Inspiration)
  • Harmoneers (1961 This Little Light Of Mine)
  • Harvesters (19?? 45 RPM EP; 1960 The Harvesters; 1978 Streets Of Gold)
  • Henry Slaughter (1979 Just The Way We Are – In Concert)
  • Homeland Quartet (1989 The Tradition Lives On)
  • Hoppers (1963 Man On The Middle Cross; 1971 Heaven’s Jubilee; 1974 Sing Gospel Classics)
  • Imperials (1965 Happy Sounds; 1978 Live; 1984 Old Fashioned Faith)
  • Inheritance (2007 Requests)
  • Inspirationals (???? The Light Of The Day)
  • Inspirations (1963 Our Pioneer Heritage)
  • Isaacs (1993 Mountain Praise Live; 2003 Songs Of The Faith)
  • Ivan Parker (1998 A Collection Of 20 Favorites; 2008 Inseparable)
  • Jake Hess (1968 The Incomparable Jake Hess; 1974 The Best Of Jake Hess; 1984 Gospel Classics Sung By Jake Hess – Volume One)
  • J D Sumner And The Stamps (1964 What A Day That Will Be; 1971 Goin’ Home; 1971 Live In Nashville; 1976 Green Green Grass Of Home; 1977 Elvis’ Favorite Gospel Songs; 1977 Memories Of Our Friend, Elvis; 1977 16 Greats; 1989 Live From The Alabama State Coliseum; 1992 Old Favorites; 1992Masters Of Gospel; 1994 Elvis’ Gospel Favorites; 1997 Pure Gospel: 16 Vintage Gospel Standards; 1999 Gospel Music Hall Of Fame)
  • James Blackwood (1983 Traditionally)
  • Jerry And The Goffs (1973 Homesick For Heaven)
  • Jimmie Davis (1962 How Great Thou Art; 1968 Greatest Hits)
  • Jimmy Swaggart (1974 You Don’t Need To Understand)
  • John Hall (1967 Big John Hall Of The Blackwood Brothers)
  • John Mathews Family (1974 The Desert Shall Bloom Like A Rose)
  • Jordanaires (1961 To God Be the Glory; 1985 Will The Circle Be Unbroken; 1992 Sing Gospel)
  • Jubilee Quartet (1965 How Great Thou Art)
  • Kenny Gates (1965 Kenny Gates)
  • Keystone Quartet (???? Right On)
  • Kingdom Heirs (1984 Special Edition; 1987 Favorites; 1992 Telling The World; 1996 Feelin’ At Home; 1999 Southern Gospel Quartets; 2001 The Classic Collection; 2005 Series One; 2009 From The Redbook Volume Two)
  • King’s Heralds (1959 Our Prayer; 1973 Amazing Grace; 1977 40th Anniversary Album; 1983 Favorites – Through The Years; 1998 70th Anniversary; 2006 Anthology Volume 1)
  • Kingsmen Quartet (1969 Standing Room Only; 1971 America’s Favorite Hymns; 1985 The Award Winning Kingsmen Quartet; 1985 Solid Ground; 1991Classic Hymns; 1993 27 Great Gospel Songs; 1995 Kingsmen Klassics Vol. 6; 1997 Southern Classics: Kingsmen Standards; 2010 Live! Performances From The National Quartet Convention; ???? Classic Hymns; ???? Bob Poole’s Gospel Favorites)
  • Laymen Quartet (1976 Up To Date An Down To Earth)
  • LeFevre Quartet (2008 Live)
  • LeFevres (1962 Travel With The LeFevres; 1969 Play Gospel Music!)
  • Legacy Five (2014 Great Day)
  • Lesters (1973 50 Golden Years; 2012 Foundation)
  • Liberty Quartet (2004 Timeless Treasured Hymns)
  • London Parris And The Apostles (1973 Why Me; 1975 I Believe In The Lord)
  • Lundstroms (1972 I’m Looking For That Day)
  • Mark Trammell (2007 Treasures Of The Heart, Volume Two)
  • Masters V (1981 The Masters V; 1994 Doris Akers And The Gospel Choir)
  • McDuff Brothers (1967 I Must Tell Jesus)
  • Melody Boys Quartet (1991 Classics Too; 2000 50 Years Live; 2007 Classics Countdown)
  • Melody Masters Quartet (???? University Live)
  • Mid South Boys (1976 Dedicated To Mom And Dad, Hymns Vol.2)
  • Oak Ridge Boys (1967 At Their Best; 1974 Hymns; 1997 Revival Volume II; 2005 Common Thread; 2005 From The Heart; 2008 The Gospel Collection; 2009 The Boys Are Back)
  • Orrells (1972 Live)
  • Palmetto State Quartet (1997 Hymns Of Gold; 2006 Gospel Quartet Favorites; ???? How Great Thou Art)
  • Perfect Heart (1993 Request Time)
  • Pine Ridge Boys (1966 The Pine Ridge Boys; 196? That Is Why I’ve Got To Sing; ???? Lonesome Road)
  • Plainsmen (1958 Plainsmen Quartet; 1962 The World’s Greatest Gospel Songs; 1966 Plainsmen Quartet Volume 2; 1969 Plainsmen Sing Inspirational Songs)
  • Prophets (1965 I Gotta Tell It; 1969 Sweeter as the Days Go By)
  • Rambos (1974 Alive And Live At Soul’s Harbor)
  • Ray Dean Reese (2002 Ray Reese And Friends)
  • Rebels (1962 How Great Thou Art; 1978 Everybody’s Singing; ???? Peace In The Valley)
  • Reinhardts (1988 The Reinhardts)
  • Rhythm Masters (196? Daddy Sang Bass; 198? Love Will Roll The Clouds Away)
  • Ronnie Booth (2008 A Gospel Tribute To The King)
  • Rosie Rozell And The Searchers (1972 Ovation)
  • Sam Goodman (1979 Happiness Is)
  • Sherrill Nielsen (1970 New Directions)
  • Sego Brothers And Naomi (1968 Somebody Touched Me; 1974 Live At Hallelujah Square)
  • Singing Americans (1981 The Exciting Sounds Of The Singing Americans)
  • Smitty Gatlin Trio (1970 Gospel Favorites Volume II)
  • Songfellows Quartet (1962 Something Within Me)
  • Speer Family (1967 Hymns Of Joy And Peace)
  • Statesmen (1964 Songs of Faith; 1974 Precious Memories; 1977 Gospel Songs Elvis Loved; 1980 He Is Here; 1983 How Great Thou Art; 2006 Gospel Gold)
  • Statler Brothers (1969 How Great Thou Art; 1975 The Holy Bible – New Testament; 1992 Gospel Favorites)
  • Talleys (2004 Praise For The Ages; 2011 He’s Alive)
  • Taylors (2009 Family Favorites, Volume 2)
  • Telestials (1970 With Christ; 1978 Experience Live)
  • Tennesseans Quartet (1963 Golden Favorites)
  • Tennessee Ernie Ford (1962 I Love To Tell The Story; ???? God Lives)
  • Thrasher Brothers (1968 Only A Look; 1970 At Fantastic Caverns; )
  • Tim Parton (2009 Simply Hymns)
  • Toney Brothers (1979 Shine On Me)
  • Trailsmen (???? Old Fashioned Songs)
  • Triumphant Quartet (2003 Smoky Mountain Hymns; 2006 Treasures; 2012 Hymns Collection)
  • Various Artists (1965 Gospel Singing Jubilee; 1974 The Great Quartets Vol. 2; 1986 20 Great Gospel Quartet Greats Vol. 2; 2005 Torch)
  • Vicksburg Quartet (1973 The Vicksburg In Nashville)
  • Weatherfords (1961 Gospel Favorites; 1970 Smooth Country)
  • Wilburns (2002 Dedicated – Songs From The Heart)
  • Wills Family (1966 The Family Bible)
  • Won By One (1995 Ring Those Bells; 2000 Ring Those Golden Bells; 2000 Classic Hymns Vol. 1)

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David Bruce Murray

David Bruce Murray

David Bruce Murray is a church music director in Ellenboro, NC. He is the author of Murray's Encyclopedia Of Southern Gospel Music and the owner of both SGHistory.com and MusicScribe.com.

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