We started this little competition on Ash Thursday with 32 saints. After today's vote, the field will have been whittled down to 16 remaining saintly souls. But in order to get there we must first make it through the Battle of the Bands as Fanny Crosby faces G.F. Handel. Who will retain the last seat in the Saintly Sixteen before the music stops? Well, that, as always, is up to you.
Yesterday, in the tightest race of Lent Madness 2017, Sarah the Matriarch barely laughed away a valiant challenge from Elizabeth Ann Seton 51% to 49%. See, what have we been saying all along? Your vote counts!
Fanny Crosby
Fanny Crosby wrote more than eight thousand sacred texts in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Referred to as the Queen of Gospel Song Writers, she is arguably the most prolific author of American hymns and gospel songs.
Born in 1820 in Brewster, New York, Fanny caught a cold as an infant and developed inflammation in her eyes, which resulted in full-scale blindness. She would later remark, “It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation. If perfect earthly sight were offered me tomorrow, I would not accept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been distracted by the beautiful and interesting things about me.” Around her fifteenth birthday, Crosby enrolled at the New York Institution for the Blind, and she began to write hymns and gospel songs.
Crosby attended multiple churches, including an Episcopal church, but she is most closely identified with the Wesleyan Holiness movement. She formally joined Cornell Memorial Methodist Episcopal in 1887. Her hymn texts became so popular that composers of that era would seek her out to find lyrics for their melodies—a reversal of the typical hymn-writing process. Her best-known text, “Blessed Assurance,” was written in this way during a visit to Phoebe Knapp’s home after Crosby heard the tune for the first time.
Crosby described her hymn-writing process by saying, “It may seem a little old-fashioned, always to begin one’s work with prayer, but I never undertake a hymn without first asking the good Lord to be my inspiration.” Crosby could often write six or seven hymns a day, rivaling the output of prolific hymn writers Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley.
While known as a hymn-writer, Crosby was committed to helping others, often donating the proceeds from her writing to rescue missions around New York City. Known as “Aunt Fanny” by the numerous missions she contributed to around the city, she died in 1915. At her request, her tombstone reads: “Aunt Fanny: She hath done what she could; Fanny J. Crosby.”
Collect for Fanny Crosby
O God, the blessed assurance of all who trust in you: We give you thanks for your servant Fanny Crosby, and pray that we, inspired by her words and example, may rejoice to sing ever of your love, praising our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
G.F. Handel
George Frideric (or Frederick) Handel was born on February 23, 1685, in Halle, Germany. Handel showed a propensity for music at an early age. However, his father forbade him from dabbling in music, dreaming instead that his son would one day become a civil attorney. Handel did not listen. It is said that Handel (or his mother) smuggled a small clavichord into his room, and he practiced in secret.
On a visit to see his uncle (who was a valet for a duke), Handel surprised the duke with his skills on an organ. The duke persuaded Handel’s father to allow his son to continue studying music. Handel rapidly mastered the pipe organ, harpsichord, oboe, flute, and violin. That mastery led to a prolific writing life that included 42 operas, 29 oratorios, more than 100 cantatas, trios, duets, arias, chamber music, a large number of ecumenical pieces, odes and serenatas, and 16 organ concerti.
Handel initially struggled to establish himself, beginning his career as a church organist and writing pieces that are lost to the world today. Then he became a violinist, supplementing his income as a music teacher. His fame began to grow when he transitioned his main instruments to the organ and harpsichord. Following stints as a musician, he began a foray into composition. His first operatic debut, Almira, was wildly popular. Following two more operas in Hamburg, Handel became dissatisfied with the German music scene. He traveled to Italy and ultimately made his home in London.
He was commissioned to write an oratorio about the Bible, and in 1742, Handel’s Messiah debuted on the New Music Hall Stage in Dublin, Ireland. Often considered Handel’s most famous work, Messiah is frequently classified as Christmas music, out of a mistaken belief that it commemorates Christ’s birth. Messiah was in fact written as an ode to all of Christ’s life—annunciation, nativity, passion, and resurrection—proclaiming salvation for all who believe.
Handel died on April 14, 1759. At the time of his death, Handel was completely blind. His life was celebrated in a state funeral with full honors at Westminster Abbey. Handel is honored with a feast day in the Episcopal, Lutheran, and Methodist churches on July 28.
Collect for G.F. Handel
Almighty God, beautiful in majesty and majestic in holiness, you gave to your musician George Frederick Handel grace to show forth your glory in music: may we also be moved to sound out your praises as a foretaste of your eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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317 comments on “Fanny Crosby vs. G.F. Handel”
I voted for Handel, because it is impossible to read Isaiah 9:6 without humming,
"Aaand the Gov'-ern-ment' will be up-on his shou-ou-ou-ou-ou-oulders. . ."
" ... and his NAME shall be call-ed: [beat] WON-derful! COUN-selor! the migh-ty GOD, the everlasting FATH-er, the PRINCE of peace!"
Remember to roll those R's…Prrrince of Peace!
It's not so much having separate email accounts as it is multiple votes coming from one IP address is what alerts Scott & Tim to "unsportsmanlike conduct."
In our household, we have three generations living under one roof. That being said, I myself & my dad both vote. We have our own email accounts but we both vote separately because there are times we are not in agreement. However, when we are at our differences it brings up good discussions.
So, I too, hope Tim & Scott do not think the Murphy's are hacking the system because two votes are coming from one IP address.
Thanks, Maureen, for your response. As with you and your father, my wife and I don't always agree. I'm for Handel, but she is in the Crosby camp.
The battle of the blind musicians! Much as I love Handel's Messiah, in looking at the amount of their work that was focused on religious/spiritual music, it seems like Fanny is slightly more appropriate to advance to the "Saintly Sixteen".
This one's an easy one for me. I certainly respect Fanny Crosby for her life and gospel dedication, but between the two of them, for me as a choral singer, it is Handel (and not just Messiah; also his funeral music for Queen Caroline, his coronation anthems, his Foundling Hospital Anthem, his oratorio Israel in Egypt, etc. etc.) that have given me a foretaste of the heavenly choir. Also I firmly believe it is by the grace of the Holy Spirit that the whole Good News of scripture, wonderfully condensed by Handel's librettist Charles Jennens in Messiah, has been given a lasting voice from generation to generation in the English-speaking world.
At last, the day I can offer support to the saint I nominated for inclusion on this year's slate of 32, Fanny J. Crosby! I truly appreciate the classic music contribution Handel made to the world -- but I also know generations of Christians have and continue to hold Fanny's hymns in their hearts, relying on those words to express joy, bring peace or comfort a hurting soul. And Blessed Assurance is but one of Fanny's masterpieces many hold dear - how about "I am Thine O Lord" (draw me nearer)"? "Tell me the Story of Jesus" (write on my heart every word)? "To God be the Glory" (great things he hath done)? I could go on and on - her catalogue is amazing. So please join me in honoring Fanny Crosby first for recognizing her gift as God-given and then to faithfully use it for His glory her whole life long! Simply put, she penned the songs of my soul and so I offer another favorite for your consideration.
All the way my Savior leads me; What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy, Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.
My vote is for Fanny Crosby - for all the glorious worship services and evening hymn-sings I experienced growing up around her praise-filled songs. Our church of Christ community sang those timeless hymns in acappella harmony and I look forward to singing with those brothers and sisters again in the sweet by and by!
Tough choice. I love GFH, but having just played an arrange of "Blessed Assurance" in handbell choir, I'm going with Aunt Fanny.
Impressive as Fanny Crosby's life may be, I am a devoted fan of Handel's music. I love when our church organist plays Handel, and he does it exceedingly well. Handel is my absolute favorite classical composer. Gospel songs are well and good, but nothing, in my mind, can match the sublime beauty of "The Messiah" and his other works.
I voted for Fanny because I think she deserves credit for all her hard work! Most people know who Handel is; the same can't be said of Fanny. I am thankful for both.
Handel wrote the music, Scripture wrote the lyrics. Fanny Crosby wrote lyrics to put to other peoples' music. Who had the greater gift? Hmmm? The music of both these saints has touched my heart deeply all my life, but for my Baptist preacher daddy, I'll vote for Fanny Crosby and for her life of deep gratitude. ( As an aside--I marvel when I think that The Messiah is probably the only scripture some people hear all year long!)
I can't imagine a world without Handel's music, he has my vote.
If you look at the composer who had the greatest influence for the longest period of time, Handel takes the cake. With just The Messiah he has introduced millions of people to the Holy word and stories from the bible. I'm not discounting Fanny's influence, but I'm a musician and didn't even know of Fanny until Lent Madness. I've played Handel scores most of my life in some form or other. My vote goes to Handel.
I totally respect both candidates, especially considering they both experienced the challenge of blindness during their respective lives. As a chorister who has been singing classical choral music since my teens (I am now 70!) I feel I must go with G F Handel:)
Handel is unquestionably the greater musician, one of the greatest ever, but I thought we were voting on the basis of "heroic virtue" in life. I love "Messiah," especially the bit that comes right after the Hallelujah Chorus, "I know that my redeemer liveth....and though worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God." However, when I learned that Handel wrote "Judas Maccabeus" as a great paean of praise to the Duke of Cumberland in thanksgiving for his utter brutality in slaughtering Scots after the Battle of Culloden, my opinion of Handel as a person was considerably lessened. Cumberland was rightly referred to as a "butcher" by many. Handel was currying favor from the King, of course, but I cannot consider him, as a person, "saintly." Fanny Crosby refused to be disheartened by lifelong blindness and "did what she could" to help the less fortunate. I have a complex religious history but am now fulfilled and happy as an Episcopalian. One of my earliest memories is of waking up in my crib and hearing my mother going about her work downstairs, singing hymns. The hymn was often "Blessed Assurance." We sang it at her funeral when she died at age 93. I had to vote for Fanny Crosby.
I did not know this story. Thank you. I do not know the hymn, but can easily imagine your mother humming.
I am saddened to learn that Handel composed "Judas Maccabeus" to honor "Butcher" Cumberland. I posted earlier that all Christians have their faults, and this is certainly a glaring one.
Well, I voted for Handel mostly because he was lucky enough to live in a century when people had a better sense of what a moving bass line could do to bring a text to life. Gospel music has its moments, and I love "Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing," but we don't sing much other Gospel in our parish. Today, at least, call me parochial.
As a choral singer since I was fifteen, I have to go with the composer who, in my opinion, must have favored altos. I think his wife must have sung alto and insisted that the Messiah afford her a good choral part. Let us not forget "and the Glory, the Glory of the Lord shall be e - e - e - e - e - e - reveal - ed." Hang in there Handel!
Ohh this is a tough one. Music has been such an important part of my life. I adore the Messiah! I did vote for Fanny, however, for her devotion to our Lord and charity to others. Handel has already received much recognition.
I had to vote for Handel because his learning to play mirrors my grandfather's attempts and final success.
For giving us Messiah, I vote for Handel.
In light of the several calls this year of unfair matchups, consider this scenario:
If Lent Madness is modeled on the NCAA's "March Madness" for basketball teams, shouldn't the SEC consider running separate men's and women's playoffs?
Then it could be capped off with a SuperSaints Playoff.
Now, that could be Forward Movement! Even if it only affords an opportunity to select both Fanny Crosby and G.F. Handel.
Especially considering the last paragraph of Crosby's biography, we should perhaps remember that Handel was also known for generosity, including his support of the Foundling Hospital, for which he gave annual benefit performances of Messiah.
Voted for Fanny. Her hymns would have been sung by parents and grandparents, the people who provided the mortar for building my faith since Sunday School at age three.
Handel played the organ in the beautiful baroque church of Great Witley, close to where I live, so I am voting for Handel as a local connection. Surprised to see him behind after I cast my vote.
I confessed to being bored by the annual performances of The Messiah, usually at Christmastime, though I do understand that the tickets sold make other concerts possible that are less well attended. However Handel has my vote because of my father's love for his Coronation anthems, especially his setting of the love song of Psalm 45, "My heart is inditing of a good matter."
Love Handel's Messiah and his feast day falls on my birthday. 🙂
Feminist props to Fanny for her well-chosen epitaph (Mark 14: "...in memory of her") but I may have to vote Handel just to try and stop a next-round bracket pitting Fanny against Bloomer. (No accident, I"m sure. Shame on you, SEC!)
Blessed Assurance is lovely, but it will never blow me away like the Hallelujah Chorus. Handel it is. And he and Jimi Hendrix lived in the same house in London.
You see, SEC, why a like or dislike button is so necessary??
love this one!!!
Cool. Handel and Hendrix living in the same house. Perhaps this is an example of "God Moves in a Mysterious Way"-which is a hymn whose text was written by William Cowper. 🙂
I practice in an Anglican (Canadian equivalent of Episcopalian) parish in rural Quebec and we sing bluegrass/gospel hymns, accompanied by guitar and banjo, all the time. Very uplifting.
I'm beginning to think, especially with this one, that I must simply close my eyes and pick. They were both without sight, so must I be.
For me, in my heart, it is Handel, I have "sung" Messiah every Thanksgiving since I can remember. It is more than a memory, 'tis a blessing.
Who could vote against Handel??
Another tight matchup with a real dilemma in making my choice!! Aunt Fanny's hymns continue to inspire me!!
And I love singing Messiah!
I ended up casting my vote for Fanny!
Her charitable work was a new piece for me!!
Every year in December, Duke University presents portions of Handel's Messiah with selections from both Christmas & Easter. My husband & I have taken several trips to hear Handel's blessed music. It's no surprise that I voted for Herr Handel.