Psalter Hymnal (Gray) ‎#588

588. Tell Your Children

Text Information

• First Line: God the Father, God of glory
• Title: Tell Your Children
• Author: Grace Hawthorne (1980, alt.)
• Refrain First Line: Parents, tell your children
• Meter: 87 87 with refrain
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1987
• Scripture:
  Psalm 145:4
• Topic: Family; Home
• Copyright: Text and music © 1980, Lillenas Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Used by permission

Tune Information

• Name: TELL YOUR CHILDREN
• Composer: Tom Fetke (1980)
• Meter: 87 87 with refrain
• Key: E♭ Major
• Copyright: Text and music © 1980, Lillenas Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

Text Information:

J. Grace Hawthorne (b. Salem, N], 1946) wrote this text based on the main theme of the Hebrew acrostic hymn, Psalm 145: all peoples should praise God for his mighty acts, which testify to his compassion and his great power. This hymn thus becomes our cheer leading song as we “Glorify the living Lord above [and] magnify his holy name.”

Hawthorne is a freelance writer living in Atlanta, Georgia. Educated as a journalist at Louisiana State University, she has also worked as a newspaper writer and as an editor in the book division of Time , Inc. Her publications include hymn texts and lyrics for opera and children's musicals, including It's Cool in the Furnace (1973).

Liturgical Use:
After infant baptism; profession of faith by young people; family life services; beginning of church school seasons and Vacation Bible School.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook

Tune Information:

Thomas E. Fettke (b. Bronx, New York City, 1941), a senior editor for Word Inc., composed TELL YOUR CHILDREN for this text. The hymn was published in Lord, We Believe (1980).

Educated at Oakland City College and California State University, Hayward, Fettke has taught in several public and Christian high schools and served as minister of music ill various churches, all in California. He has published over eight hundred compositions and arrangements (some under the pseudonyms Robert F. Douglas and David J. Allen) and produced a number of recordings. Fettke was the senior editor of The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration (1986).

The tune TELL YOUR CHILDREN is framed by a repeated opening line and a repeated closing phrase. The refrain builds to a solid climax with its highest tone on the word "Lord," to whom this song directs our praise. TELL YOUR CHILDREN is suitable for either unison or part singing, but the refrain needs a convincing sense of power and majesty from singers and accompanists. This is a great piece for a brass ensemble.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook