Ebenezer (hymn tune)


Ebenezer also known as Ton-y-Botel is a famous Welsh hymn tune composed by Thomas John Williams A.T.S.C. and extracted from the second movement of his anthem "Goleu Yn Y Glyn".
The tune was first published in 1897 in the periodical Yr Athraw, vol. 71, in tonic sol-fa notation, and its first appearance in a hymnal was in 1900, in The Baptist Book of Praise.
The famed English composer and music historian Ralph Vaughan Williams referred to this as one of the greatest hymn tunes. As the musical editor Vaughan Williams included it in The English Hymnal in 1906.
It is now published in 195 hymnals worldwide, including The New English Hymnal.
Ebenezer means "Stone of Help" in the Bible.
The tune is named after Ebenezer Chapel in Rhos near Pontardawe, South Wales, which T. J. Willams attended while composing the tune.
T. J. Williams was born in Llangiwg, Ynysmeudwy, near Pontardawe, and lived in Llanelli, South Wales, from 1903. He served as organist and choir director at Mount Elim Baptist Chapel, Ynysmeudwy near Pontardawe, for fifteen years, Zion Baptist Chapel, Llanelli, and Calfaria Baptist Chapel, Llanelli.
He is buried in Llanelli District Cemetery.
The myth that the tune was discovered in a bottle on a Llyn Peninsula beach in North Wales was published in the Daily Mail in 1902. It has affectionately been known as Ton-y-Botel ever since and is even referred to as "Ebenezer, Ton-y-Botel" on his grave headstone, this also includes the first music phrase and below it the text "Dyma Gariad Fel Y Moroedd"

Hymns

Many hymn texts are set to this tune. Among them are:

Secular usage

Use in Brazil

In Brazil, this melody is used in several Christian hymns from different hymnals, both of which address the same subject: the request for strengthening the church.
  • "Vivifica" text of "Salmos e Hinos" #552
  • "Vem, Visita tua Igreja" text of "Cantor Cristão Hymnal" #580
  • "Fortalece Tua Igreja" text of "Brazilian Lutheran hymnal" #298
  • "Fortalece a Tua Igreja" text of "Brazilian Methodist Hymnal" #204
  • "Vivifica a Tua Igreja" text of "Harpa Cristã hymnal"
  • "Fortalece tua Igrej" text of "Cantai todos os Povos Hymnal" #151
  • "Fortalece tua Igreja" text of "Novo Cântico hymnal" #229
  • "Vem, Visita tua Igreja" text of "Seja Louvado" #314
  • "Vivifica tua Igreja" text of "Cantai ao Senhor" #545
  • "Oração pelo Brasil" text of "Cantai Ao Senhor" #547
  • "Vivifica Tua Igreja" text of "Louvores ao Rei Hymnal" #148
  • "Fortalece Tua Igreja" text of "Brazilian Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal" #506
  • "Vivifica Tua Igreja" text of "Novo Louvores ao Rei Hymnal" #323
  • "Fortalece tua Igreja" text of "New Brazilian Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal" #220

Music