New Army Hymn Endorsed by U.S. Army Chaplains
Chaplain (Major) James F. Linzey, USA (Ret.), former Director of the United States Army Soldiers Choir, has released the commemorative video presentation of The United States Army Hymn, “Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer,” in conjunction with endorsements from United States Army chaplains during the national observance of the 250th Anniversary of America and the United States Army.
“For generations, the Army lacked a dedicated sacred service hymn. ‘Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer’ admirably fills that role as the United States Army Hymn,” said Chaplain (LTC) Pearlean Scott, U.S. Army (Ret.), former Command Chaplain of the United States Army Cadet Command.
The cinematic video presentation combines patriotic imagery, military visuals, memorial scenes, and historic American symbolism with the sacred Army hymn composed by retired Army Major James F. Linzey as a prayer for United States Army Soldiers. Unlike the Army’s official marching song, The Army Goes Rolling Along, Linzey’s composition was specifically written as a reverent prayer hymn for Soldiers.
Drawing upon his experience directing the United States Army Soldiers Choir—one of the Army’s principal ceremonial touring vocal ensembles—Linzey composed the hymn to pro-vide the Army with a solemn sacred counterpart for worship settings, memorial observances, patriotic ceremonies, and military commemorations. He set the hymn to the beloved tune EVENTIDE by William H. Monk.
“The Army’s official march and a worship hymn are intended for entirely different settings within military life,” said Chaplain (Colonel) Joel V. Miller, U.S. Army (Ret.), former Division Command Chaplain, 76th Operational Response Command. “Military chaplains have long carried the responsibility of preserving and explaining those distinctions within the Army’s ceremonial and spiritual traditions.”
“This hymn was written as a prayer for those who serve,” said Linzey. “The video presentation visually captures the faith, sacrifice, courage, and solemn calling of the American Soldier throughout the history of our nation.”
Since its public domain release, congregations, Army chapels, and choir directors across the country have begun adopting “Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer” for Sunday worship, patriotic services, and military tribute events.
The presentation was released during the national observance of America’s 250th Anniversary and features imagery representing military service, sacrifice, national unity, and remembrance.
Chaplain Linzey is a retired United States Army chaplain and former United States Air Force chaplain who served in multiple military assignments during a 24-year military career. As Di-rector of the U.S. Army Soldiers Choir at Fort Lee, Virginia, Linzey led the touring U.S. Army Soldiers Choir. His commander, LTC Christine M. Tillman (now retired), observed that the choir under Linzey’s direction generated more public relations visibility than the United States Army Band.
Linzey was also the first full-time chaplain assigned to the United States Army Cadet Command’s Leader’s Training Course (now Cadet Summer Training) at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he composed the Official Institutional United States Army Cadet Command Prayer—one of only four official institutional prayers ever composed for the United States Armed Forces.
“It is with great admiration that I highly recommend ‘Eternal Father, Hear Our Prayer,’ writ-ten by Chaplain (MAJOR) James F. Linzey,” said Chaplain (Colonel) Rob Nolan, U.S. Army (Ret.), former Deputy Command Chaplain, United States Army Reserve Command. “Jim has written a prayer that goes to the core of a soldier and combined it with a traditional hymn melody that creates the proper atmosphere for such a beautiful prayer. This is a hymn that can represent the Army and speak to the concerns of the men and women who wear the uniform and go into harm’s way. May this bless Soldiers for years to come.”
The music was professionally engraved by Dan Kreider, founder of Hymnworks, recorded by Dan Kreider Music, and the commemorative video presentation was produced by the Military Bible Association in honor of the United States Army. The hymn has been released into the public domain.
(SOURCE: Don Biadog via Chrsitan Newswire)
