Godfrey Thring (21 July 1823 – 9 March 1903) was an English Anglican clergyman and hymn writer. He is primarily remembered for his contributions to 19th‑century hymnody, including a widely used revision of the Easter hymn “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” and the composition of numerous original texts that appeared in various hymnals of the period.
Early life and education
Thring was born in London, the son of a family with clerical and literary connections. He attended Trinity College, Cambridge, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1845 and proceeded to Master of Arts in 1848. He was ordained deacon in 1846 and priest in 1847.
Clerical career
After ordination, Thring served as curate in several parishes before being presented to the living of St Mary’s, Harrow on the Hill, a position he held from 1853 to 1888. He later became the rector of St Michael’s, Tenbury, where he remained until his retirement in 1899. Throughout his ministry, Thring was noted for his advocacy of liturgical renewal and the use of vernacular hymnody in worship.
Contributions to hymnody
Thring’s hymn writing began in the 1850s. Over his lifetime he authored more than two hundred hymn texts, many of which were incorporated into popular hymnals such as The Hymnal Companion (1868) and Church Hymns (1871). His most enduring impact is the 1861 revision of Charles Wesley’s “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today.” Thring added two verses and altered the refrain to better suit Anglican liturgical practice; this version has been retained in several later editions of the hymn.
Other notable hymns by Thring include:
- “O For the Hope of the Isles”
- “Praise, My Soul, the King of Heaven”
- “The World is Full of Monsters” (a moral‑instructional piece for children)
His works are characterized by clear theological expression, a measured poetic style, and an emphasis on congregational singing.
Later life and legacy
Thring retired from active parish duties in 1899 but continued to edit hymn collections and correspond with other hymnists. He died on 9 March 1903 in Tenbury. Posthumously, several of his hymns have been retained in modern hymnals, and his editorial work on “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” remains the standard version used in many Anglican and Protestant churches.
References
- Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, entry “Thring, Godfrey (1823–1903)”.
- Hymnary.org, author profile for Godfrey Thring.
- Watts, Michael. The Cambridge Companion to Hymns. Cambridge University Press, 2002.
See also
- Charles Wesley – original author of “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today”.
- 19th‑century Anglican hymnody.
