Tune of the Day: Ebenezer
“Ebenezer” (meaning “stone of help”), also known as “Ton-y-Botel” (“tune in a bottle”) is a famous Welsh hymn tune composed by organist Thomas John Williams in 1896. The tune is named after Ebenezer Chapel in Rhos near Pontardawe, South Wales, which Williams attended while composing the tune.
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.
This tune is set to many hymn texts, including “Love Like The Oceans”, “Once to Every Man and Nation”, “Oh the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus”, “Come, O Spirit, Dwell Among Us”, “God hath Spoken by the Prophets”, “Let My People Seek their Freedom”, “Singing Songs of Expectation”, “Thy Strong Word did Cleave the Darkness”, and “Who is This, With Garments Gory”.
Thanks to Rebekah for suggesting this tune!