Jane Eliza Leeson

Short Name: Jane Eliza Leeson
Full Name: Leeson, Jane Eliza, 1807-1882
Birth Year: 1807
Death Year: 1882

Leeson, Jane E.. The earliest work by Miss Leeson with which we are acquainted is her Infant Hymnings. Then followed Hymns and Scenes of Childhood, or A Sponsor's Gift (London, James Burns; Nottingham, Dearden), 1842, in which the Infant Hymnings were incorporated. Concerning Pt. ii. of the Hymns and Scenes, &c, Miss Leeson says, "For the best of the Poems in the second part, the Writer is indebted to a friend." In the Rev. Henry Formby's Catholic Hymns arranged in order for the principal Festivals, Feasts of Saints, and other occasions of Devotion throughout the Year, London, Burns and Lambert, N.D. [1851], "Imprimatur, N. Cardinalis Wiseman, May 3rd, 1853," her translation of Victimae Paschali (“Christ the Lord is risen to-day"), and her "Loving Shepherd of Thy Sheep" (also in Hymns & Scenes, 1842), were given under the signature "M. L." Her Paraphrases and Hymns for Congregational Singing (most of " which were re-written from the Scottish Translations and Paraphrases (q.v.), 1781) were published by Wertheimer & Co., London, in 1853. In the Irvingite Hymns for the Use of the Churches, 1864, there are five of her original hymns and four of her translations from the Latin under the signature of "J. E. L.; "and most of these were repeated in the 2nd edition, 1871. In addition Miss Leeson is the author of several other works, including The Christian Child's Book, 1848, The Child's Book of Ballads, 1849, Songs of Christian Chivalry, 1848, Margaret, a Poem, 1850, The Seven Spiritual Works of Mercy, and others. Her hymns in common use include:—

1. A little child may know. God's love of little Children. In Hymns & Scenes of Childhood, 1842, No. 20, in 5 stanzas of 4 lines.
2. Dear Saviour, to Thy little lambs. For Purity. In Hymns & Scenes of Childhood, 1842, No. 19, in 4 stanzas of 8 lines.
3. Father, I [we] love Thy house of prayer. Public Worship. In Hymns & Scenes of Childhood, 1842, No. 76, in 3 stanzas of 12 lines. It is usually abbreviated.
4. Have ye counted the cost? Soldiers of the Cross . In Songs of Christian Chivalry, 1848, p. 8, in 10 stanzas of 9 lines. Usually abbreviated as in the Enlarged London Hymn Book, 1873.
5. In the dark and silent night. Confidence. In The Christian Child's Book, 1848, in 3 stanzas of 3 lines, with the refrain, "Hallelujah." It is in the Irish Church Hymnal , 1873, and other collections.
6. Jesus Christ, my Lord and King. Child's Praise of Christ. In Hymns & Scenes of Childhood, 1842, No. 18, in 6 stanzas of 4 lines.
7. King of Saints and King of glory. All Saints . In her Paraphrases & Hymns, 1853, p. 84, in 2 stanzas of 8 lines.
8. Saviour, teach me day by day. Obedience. In Hymns & Scenes of Childhood, 1842, No. 49, in 4 stanzas of 8 lines. In several hymn-books in Great Britain and America.
9. Songs of glory fill the sky. Christmas. In the Irvingite Hymns for the Use of the Churches, 1864, No. 21, in 3 stanzas of 8 lines, with the refrain "Hail! Lord Jesu."
10. Stand we prepared to see and hear. Advent. In the Irvingite Hymns for the Use of the Churches, 1864, No. 173, in 4 stanzas of 8 lines. Written in 1800.
11. Sweet the lesson Jesus taught. Christ blessing little Children. In Hymns & Scenes of Childhood, 1842, No. 1, in 5 stanzas of 4 lines.
12. Wake the song, 0 Zion's daughter. A cento of much excellence, which see.
13. Wake, ye saints, the song of triumph. Ascension . Written in 1861, and published in the Irvingite Hymns for the Use of the Churches, 1864, No. 60, in 4 stanzas of 6 lines, with the refrain "Hallelujah." In stanza ii., lines 3, 4, and 6 are from C. Wesley's "Hail the day that sees Him rise."

Miss Leeson's most popular hymn, “Loving Shepherd of Thy Sheep," and her translations from the Latin are noted elsewhere in this work. Of Miss Leeson's personal history we can gather nothing. Born 1807; died 1882.

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)


Texts by Jane Eliza Leeson (23)sort descendingAsAuthority LanguagesInstances
A little child may knowJane E. Leeson (Author)English12
Although the fig tree blossoms not [shall not blossom]Jane Elizabeth Leeson (Author)3
Christ the Lord is risen today, Christians, haste your vows to payJane E. Leeson, 1809-1881 (Translator)English54
Christ, the Lord is risen today, Sons of men and angels sayJane Elizabeth Leeson (Author)English1
Christians, on this happy dayJane Elizabeth Leeson (Translator)English3
Dear Savior, to Thy little lambsJane Elizabeth Leeson (Author)English2
Gracious Savior, gentle ShepherdMiss Jane E. Leeson, 1815-1882 (Author)English101
In the cross of Christ I glory, Towering over the wrecks of timeMiss Jane Eliza Leeson (Translator)English1
In the dark and silent night, Blessed Lord, be Thou my lightJane E. Leeson, 1807-82 (Author)English4
Jesus Christ, my Lord and KingJane Elizabeth Leeson (Author)English7
Jesus Christ, our Savior, Once for us a childJane E. Leeson (Author)English1
Jesus, keep me all day longJane Elizabeth Leeson (Author)2
Loving Shepherd of Thy sheepJane E. Leeson (Author)English61
Milde Frelser, gode hyrdeJane Elizabeth Leeson (Author)2
O Holy Spirit, Fount of loveMiss Jane E. Leeson (Translator)English2
Savior, teach me, day by dayJane E. Leeson (Author)English368
Stand we prepared to see and hearJane Elizabeth Leeson (Author)1
Sweet the lesson [lessons] Jesus taughtJane E. Leeson (Author)English9
The ancient days were days of mightJane Elizabeth Leeson (Author)2
Their hearts shall not be movedJane Elizabeth Leeson (Author)English6
'Twas a starry night of oldJane E. Leeson (Author)English2
Wake the song, O Zion's daughterJane Elizabeth Leeson (Author)English3
Yea, watch and wait a little whileJane E. Leeson (Author)English2

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