History of
Who Is He in Yonder Stall?
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Most people are familiar with this Ohio (USA) song writer for "Darling Nelly Gray" and at Christmas for such secular songs as UP ON THE HOUSE TOP, a favorite "Santa Claus" song of Children. However, Benjamin Russell Hanby also wrote one of the most powerful Christian hymns of Christmas in 1866: Who Is He In Yonder Stall?. What I really like about this hymn is that it leaves no doubt who the Christ Child is, what his life was like, what he accomplished on the cross, and what he is doing today. No ambiguity here!
Yes, this mighty Christmas hymn was written by the author of "Darling Nelly Gray" and "Up On The Housetop"! Amazed as I was when I first discovered that fact? This was not a one-dimensional fellow! There was variety in his music! Hanby, also, played many roles in his life: student, abolitionist, father, teacher, minister. But it was as a composer that we remember him.
The Hanby House, where he wrote his music, has been restored and is open for public viewing. If you should travel in Ohio, be sure to look it up. The Hanby House is at 160 West Main Street, between State Route 3 and Cleveland Avenue in Westerville, Ohio in Franklin County. --- by Bill Drennon, Central Valley Christian School, Visalia, CA
See the lyrics:
Who Is He In Yonder Stall?
Words & Music: Benjamin Russell Hanby, 1866.
Who is He in yonder stall
Refrain
'Tis the Lord, O wondrous story!
Who is He, in yonder cot
Refrain
Who is He, in deep distress,
Refrain
Who is He that stands and weeps
Refrain
Lo, at midnight who is He
Refrain
Who is He in Calvary's throes
Refrain
Who is He that from the grave
Refrain
Who is He that from yon throne
Refrain
At whose feet the shepherds fall?
'Tis the Lord, the King of glory;
At His feet, we humbly fall,
Crown Him, crown Him Lord of all!
Bending to His toilsome lot?
Fasting in the wilderness?
At the grave where Lazarus sleeps?
Prays in dark Gethsemane?
Asks for blessings on His foes?
Comes to heal and help and save?
Rules the world of light alone?