William James Kirkpatrick (1838–1921) was an American composer who wrote a tune for the beloved Christmas carol “Away in a Manger.” Other famous hymns for which he wrote tunes include “He Hideth My Soul,” “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” and “Redeemed, How I Loved to Proclaim It.” He also wrote the hymn, “Lord, I’m Coming Home.”
This year is the 100th anniversary of his death.
Kirkpatrick was born Feb. 27, 1838, in Ireland to Thomas and Elizabeth Kirkpatrick. His family immigrated to Duncannon, Pennsylvania, in 1840.
He had formal training in music at a young age, moving to Philadelphia to study vocal music under prominent teachers. He also learned to play five instruments.
Kirkpatrick joined Philadelphia’s Wharton Street Methodist Episcopal Church in 1855 and sang in the choir. He published his first collection of hymns, “Devotional Melodies,” in 1859 when he was just 21. He would go on to publish some 100 collections, primarily with John R. Sweney,
In 1861, Kirkpatrick married Susanna Doak, with whom he had three children; she died in 1878. He married twice more, and his third wife outlived him.
‘Away in a Manger’
Kirkpatrick wrote the tunes of some of the best-loved hymns, including “Away in a Manger.” Though the words of the carol are anonymous, they were thought until the 19th century to be the creation of Martin Luther. In the United States, composer James R. Murray is the acknowledged writer of the tune, though outside the U.S., Kirkpatrick is said to have written it. His version is the second most popular Christmas carol in Great Britain.
In 1892, Kirkpatrick was a song leader at a camp meeting. The hired soloist had a tremendous voice but never stayed to hear the sermon. Afraid he wasn’t a Christian, Kirkpatrick prayed for him and wrote, “Lord I’m Coming Home.” He gave it to the soloist who, evidently moved after he sang it, stayed for the sermon and accepted Christ.
Kirkpatrick composed the tunes for two Fanny Crosby songs: “Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It” (1882) and “He Hideth My Soul” (1890). He also wrote the music in 1882 for “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus” and “We have Heard the Joyful Sound.”
Kirkpatrick died Sept. 20, 1921. He told his wife before she slept that he had a tune in his mind and wanted to write it down. She awoke at 4 a.m. and found him dead in his study. A manuscript with two stanzas lay by his side — he had died writing another tune.
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