The original first line was “Come, children, join to sing,” first published in a children’s book, Sacred Melodies for Sabbath School and Families, 1843. After a revision in 1854, when the stanzas were cut from five to the present three, this book enjoyed phenomenal success, selling more than 6 million copies in 27 years. It was known as the “Sabbath School Book” of Scotland. Bateman was born August 9, 1813, at Wyke, Scotland; he served as a Moravian pastor; later changing to lead Congregational churches in Edinburgh, Hopton, and Reading. In 1869 he was ordained in the Church of England and was pastor for several parishes before retirement in 1884. He also published, in 1872, The Children’s Hymnal and Christian Year. Death came at Carlisle, England, July 26, 1889.

The tune MADRID comes from a melody popular about 1825. Benjamin Carr, born September 12, 1768 (some say 1769), in London, was later a successful music publisher, composer, organist, and pianist in America. He published a piano version titled Spanish Hymn Arranged and Composed for the Concerts of the Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia by Benjamin Carr, The Air From and Ancient Spanish Melody, Philadelphia, 1826. The tune is also known as SPANISH HYMN, which is used for a shorter version at SDAH 295, “Chief of Sinners.” Carr died in Philadelphia on May 24, 1831. David Evans (187401948; see Biographies), the arranger of the tune, was a music teacher and composer who greatly influenced the musical life of Wales.