Holy Father, in thy mercy

Holy Father, in thy mercy. Isabella Stephana Stevenson* (1843-1890). This hymn was written in 1869, when Stevenson’s brother was embarking for South Africa for his health (‘Keep our loved ones, now far distant,/ ’Neath Thy care’, stanza 1). It was printed in leaflet form, and later used on board HMS Bacchante, the ship on which the future King George V and his brother were taken round the world in 1881-82. It was sent back to the Royal Family, who sang it during the Princes’ absence, and then included in the Manual of Common Prayer at Sea (1886). From there it was taken into the Supplement (1889) to the Second Edition of A&M, in the section ‘For those at Sea’. It remained in...