Lyrics:

1. Father, thy children to thee now raise
Glad, grateful songs for thy love and grace,
For thy protecting and watchful care
Over thy Saints dwelling far and near;
Grateful to thee for the gospel light,
Which with its truth fills us with delight,
Glad that we’ve chosen the better part.
Songs of delight fill each grateful heart.

2. Oh, may our songs to thy courts ascend;
Pleasing to thee may our voices blend.
Lead us as thou hast the faithful led;
Feed us with knowledge and daily bread.
Let us not stray from the paths of truth;
Forgive the folly and faults of youth.
Father, accept thou the songs of praise
Which from our hearts unto thee we raise.

Text and music: Evan Stephens, 1854-1930

-History: (Source: Wikipedia)

Written By: Evan Stephens

Music By: Evan Stephens

Evan Stephens was a Latter-day Saint composer and hymn writer. He was also the director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for 26 years (1890–1916).

In the 1927 English LDS Hymnbook there were 84 hymns written by Evan Stephens.

His 19 works in the 1985 English language edition of the Latter-day Saint hymnal are:

• #11 “What Was Witnessed in the Heavens” (music),
• #17 “Awake, Ye Saints of God, Awake!” (music),
• #18 “The Voice of God Again is Heard” (words and music),
• #23 & #312 (Women) “We Ever Pray for Thee” (text and adaptation of music by H. A. Tuckett),
• #33 “Our Mountain Home So Dear” (music),
• #35 “For the Strength of the Hills” (music),
• #55 “Lo, the Mighty God Appearing!” (music),
• #61 “Raise Your Voices to the Lord’” (words and music),
• #74 “Praise Ye the Lord” (music),
• #91 “Father thy Children to Thee Now Raise” (words and music),
• #118 “Ye Simple Souls who Stray” (music),
• #120 “Lean on My Ample Arm” (music),
• #183 “In Remembrance of Thy Suffering” (words and music),
• #229 “Today, While the Sun Shines (music),
• #243 “Let Us All Press On” (words and music),
• #254 “True to the Faith” (words and music),
• #312 “We Ever Pray for Thee” (words and music),
• #330 “See The Mighty Angel Flying” (music), and
• #337 “O Home Beloved” (words).

He wrote several other LDS hymns that do not appear in the 1985 edition of the hymnal.

Included among his works is “Utah, We Love Thee” (also sometimes referred to as “Land of the Mountains High”) which became the official State Song of Utah in 1937. In 2003 it was designated the official State Hymn, and a new state song was named.

Under Evan Stephens’ direction the size of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir increased from 125 members to over 300.

Stephens was also the director of the choir who moved it into the field of performing concerts and not just for religious celebrations.

For part of the time that Stephens was director of the Tabernacle Choir he held the title of president with two counselors, in a system of leadership similar to that used in LDS Church wards and stakes.

Stephens was also the first man employed as full time choir director. This occurred in 1895. Prior to this the director of the choir had been viewed as a part time office, who although given a stipend for his service was expected to earn his main employ by other methods. At this time the leaders of the church decided to make the position of choir director full time and doubled Stephens salary.