W. H Gill › Hymnals

Gill, William Henry, son of Joseph Gill, of the Isle of Man, b. at Marsala, Sicily, Oct. 24, 1839; educated at King William's College, Isle of Man; entered the Seals Office, G.P.O., London, 1858, and retired 1898. A painter in water colours, and student of Manx national music. In combination with his brother, Deemster Gill and Dr. Clague, published in 1805 a volume of Manx National Songs. He has also composed several popular Anthems and Solos. Two of his hymns have attained to some reputation:—
1. Hear us, 0 Lord, from Heaven, Thy dwelling place. [Harvest of the Sea.]

Mr. Gill's manuscript history of the origin and building up of this hymn is more than usually interesting, as supplied to us in 1905. This hymn "was directly inspired by my quest some ten years ago for Manx music. . . . Among many interesting finds ... of our once lost national music . . . was a remnant of melody which had . . . been associated with Manx words . . . That melody ... I converted into a hymn tune . . . Then I sought inspiration for a suitable subject." This was found in the occupation of the fisher-folk and the petition in the Manx Book of C. Prayer "That it may please Thee to give and preserve to our use the kindly fruits of the earth, and to restore and continue to us the blessings of the sea, so as in due time we may enjoy them." Continuing, Mr. Gill adds, "Hence the Hymn and its Tune, which I devoutly hope may never" be divorced." Both Hymn and Tune were published in Manx National Songs (London: Boosey & Co.), 1895, and in the Methodist Hymn Book, 1904. It is for its purpose the most suitable hymn we know, and supplies e. felt want in fishing villages and towns.

2. 0 King of nations. Righteous Lord. [In Time of War.] "For our Soldiers and Sailors," written during the Boer War. Its popularity was great, thirty-five thousand copies having been sold in one week (Abingdon: W. H. Hooke).
3. Warrior, rest! thy work is done. [Victory.] "A Song of Victory." Very spirited and devotional. (Abingdon: W. H. Hooke).

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)