Hymn Desk
Hymn Texts /

Sing with All the Saints in Glory

Sing with all the saints in glory

Sing with All the Saints in Glory is a hymn text by William John Irons (1873) in 8.7.8.7 D meter. Found in CW21 881, CWS 776, ch95 708, elw 426. Sung to SINE NOMINE.

This hymn celebrates the eschatological vision of Revelation 7 and affirms Lutheran teaching on the resurrection of the body and eternal communion with Christ and the church triumphant. It expresses the Christian hope that transcends present suffering through faith in Christ's victory over death and the promise of glorification.

History & Background

Written by William John Irons, an English clergyman, in 1873, this hymn was designed to celebrate the resurrection and the communion of saints in glory. It was first published in the 1875 edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern and has become a standard Easter and All Saints' hymn in Lutheran and broader Protestant worship.

Hymnal Appearances

  • Christian Worship: Hymnal — 881
  • Christian Worship: Supplement — 776
  • Chalice Hymnal — 708
  • Evangelical Lutheran Worship — 426
  • Gather 4th Edition — 563
  • Glory to God — 835
  • Hymnal Supplement 98 — 839
  • Lutheran Service Book — 671
  • Lift Up Your Hearts — 483
  • Lutheran Worship — 448
  • New Century Hymnal — 531
  • United Methodist Hymnal — 702
  • With One Voice — 691

Bulletin Note

Written by William John Irons in 1873, this hymn draws directly on Revelation 7's vision of the multitude in white robes before the throne. Its tune, Sine Nomine (Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906), became the standard setting for All Saints hymns in English worship.

Preaching Connection

This hymn enfolds the eschatological Gospel of Revelation 7—pure promise of resurrection and eternal communion—making it a fitting response to any proclamation of Christ's victory over death and our inheritance in Him.

Catechism & Confessional Connections

Stanza Arc

The narrative or theological arc traced by this tune's stanzas: From saints' earthly rest through Christ's sustaining power to eschatological glory and eternal communion

In the Church Year

Suggested in the one-year series

  • All Saints (3×)
  • St. Mark (1×)
  • Sts. Philip and James (1×)

Suggested in the three-year series

  • All Saints (9×)
  • Easter 6 (2×)
  • Proper 15 (1×)

From LCMS Worship's published hymn suggestions, 2014–2026. The count is how many of those yearly lists suggested this hymn for that day.

Themes

Resurrection and eternal life Communion of saints Heavenly glory Vision of God Eschatological hope

Look Further