Around the throne of God in heaven

Around the throne of God in heaven. Anne Shepherd* (1809-1857). From Hymns adapted to the Comprehension of Young Minds (date unknown; Second Edition, 1836). It was very popular in the 19th century, and appeared in many books for children (see, for example, the collections of John Burton (II)*). Free church books tended to use it in preference to ‘Around the throne of God a band’* by John Mason Neale*. It survived into the 20th century in RCH, MHB, and the Song Book of the Salvation Army (1953 edition). It is still found in some evangelical books, with its rousing end to each verse: Around the throne of God in heaven  Thousands of children stand,Children, whose sins are all forgiven,  A...