169 Eternal Father! Strong to Save
William Whiting, 1825-78
A hymn for travellers by sea. This hymn and tune have long been used more frequently than any other for that purpose. Sir Evelyn Wood wrote regarding this hymn: “It is much used by those at sea, and, when the wind blows hard, by those on land.” The words, written in 1860, have been revised several times.
It was the favorite hymn of the late Franklin D. Roosevelt and was sung at his funeral at Hyde Park, New York, April 14, 1945.
William Whiting was a native of Kensington, London, and was for over twenty years master of the Choristers’ School at Winchester College.
MUSIC. MELITA was written for this hymn. For comments on the composer, J. B. Dykes, see Hymn 1.
LOVE AND GRATITUDE