Worship Arts Notes

Among the most prominent New Testament texts is the discourse on love found in I Corinthians 13. Hal H. Hopson has paraphrased part of this beautiful text in what has become one of the most popular late 20th-century hymns, appearing in many major hymnals published in the U.S. since 1980. 

"The Gift of Love" first appeared as a very popular anthem in 1972. Both the text and the music are effective paraphrases -- the text of I Corinthians 13:1-3 and the melody as an adaptation of the beautiful folk melody "O Waly, Waly." The original tune was collected by American folksong specialist Cecil Sharp and published in his Folk Songs from Somerset (1906). The original melody in triple meter has served as a hymn tune in many British publications. 

The United Methodist Hymnal editor Carlton Young notes that, "Hal Hopson's adaptation of the melody for his quadruple-meter anthem, 'The Gift of Love,' in 1972, is unique and very singable with the composer's interesting, flowing accompaniment."

"The Gift of Love" is very flexible and, according to Hope Publishing Co., is Mr. Hopson's most popular composition -- widely used as an anthem, solo and as a hymn.

In a note to this author on the popularity of his hymn, Mr. Hopson said: "The first 'Gift of Love' was a two-part choral arrangement. Years later, at the suggestion of [editor] George Shorney at Hope Publishing Company, I cast it in a form to be used as a congregational hymn. Since then it has become a standard hymn to be included in many hymnals. It is noteworthy that The United Methodist Hymnal, 1989, was the first hymnal that included 'The Gift of Love.' I was once surprised to be introduced at a seminar as the Gift-of-Love-Man."