Childhood’s Songs of Long Ago: Divine and Moral Songs (Isaac Watts)

Childhood’s Songs of Long Ago

Divine and Moral Songs for Children

With a Collection of Sonnets, Prayers, and Simplified Piano Arrangements

Includes a brief biographical account of the life of the Rev. Isaac Watts, D. D. Piano accompaniments by Jacqueline Sprinkle.  Spiral-bound for ease of use at the piano.

From the Introduction by Jacqueline Sprinkle to this 2007 edition:

“Contemporary Christian music is becoming a vast wasteland of fluff and the serious Christian finds himself being bombarded with vain repetitions, high decibel sounds, and heavy rock beats. These hymns by Dr. Watts were once standard literature for English and American children. The tunes we have chosen for the lyrics are also traditional hymn tunes which are very structured and easy to sing. The lyrics will be easily understood by children and will aid parents and teachers as they seek to apply biblical principles to every area of life.

We believe this volume will prove worthy as a children’s classic to be used alongside other volumes we now have in print, which are specifically selected for youth.”

Song Titles Included: 

• Against Idleness and Mischief
• Against Evil Company
• A General Song of Praise to God
• Against Quarelling and Fighting
• Praise for Mercies, Spiritual and Temporal
• Against Swearing and Cursing
• Love Between Brothers and Sisters
• For the Lord’s Day Morning
• Against Pride in Clothes
• For the Lord’s Day Evening
• Examples of Early Piety
• Praise for Creation and Providence
• Praise for Birth and Education
• A Morning Song
• Obedience to Parents
• The Advantages of Early Religion
• An Evening Song
• The Excellency of the Bible
• Cradle Hymn
• Against Lying
• The All Seeing God
• Praise to God for Learning to Read
• Doxology

About the Author

Isaac Watts (1674-1748) was born in Southampton England. His father served several prison terms because of his non-conformity.

In 1702 Watts became pastor of Mark Lane Chapel, a large Congregational church in London. Although ill health forced his virtual retirement within a few years, the congregation insisted that he remain pastor as long as he lived.

Watts was a highly gifted man, admired by Anglicans and non-conformists alike. He served as a private tutor, and many of his books reflect his educational concerns. His knowledge and writings cover a broad spectrum of topics, such as philosophy, singing, piety, and even popular children’s poetry.

Watts wrote prodigiously, and is most known as the author of over 750 hymns. On the day of Watts’s death, Matthew Arnold declared Watts’s “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” to be the finest hymn in the English Language. Others include “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” and “Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun.”