Give me the wings of faith to rise. I. Watts. [Heaven: All Saints.] First published in his Hymns & Spiritual Songs, 2nd edition, 1709, Bk. ii., No. 140, in 5 stanzas of 4 lines, and entitled, "The Examples of Christ and the Saints." It is in extensive use in all English-speaking countries, and generally in its original form as in the Hymnal Companion, No. 357. In Kennedy, 1863, the opening line reads:—"Be mine the wings of faith to rise," No. 1379. There are also other slight alterations in the text.
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
Isaac Watts was the son of a schoolmaster, and was born in Southampton, July 17, 1674. He is said to have shown remarkable precocity in childhood, beginning the study of Latin, in his fourth year, and writing respectable verses at the age of seven. At the age of sixteen, he went to London to study in the Academy of the Rev. Thomas Rowe, an Independent minister. In 1698, he became assistant minister of the Independent Church, Berry St., London. In 1702, he became pastor. In 1712, he accepted an invitation to visit Sir Thomas Abney, at his residence of Abney Park, and at Sir Thomas' pressing request, made it his home for the remainder of his life. It was a residence most favourable for his health, and for the prosecution of his literary… Go to person page >
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