“Merry, Merry Christmas”

“Merry Christmas Everywhere,” said Mr. Boast. His tenor voice joined Pa’s bass. Mrs. Boast’s soft alto and Laura’s soprano and Mary’s followed, then Ma’s contralto.Carrie’s little treble piped up happily… – By the Shores of Silver Lake (Chapter 20, “The Night Before Christmas”)

     
Merry, Merry Christmas!” is Hymn #150 in Pure Gold for Sunday School by Rev. Robert T. Lowry and W. Howard Doane. The hymnal was published in New York by Biglow & Main, 1871. Words and Music are by Mrs. T.J. Cook. “Merry, Merry Christmas!” was also published in Six Christmas Carols for Sunday Schools by Mrs. T.J. Cook, 1871.

Robert T. Lowry (1826-1899) wanted to be known as a preacher but will always be remembered as a hym-nwriter. Born in Philadephia, Lowry became a Baptist preacher, for forty-five years pastoring churches in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. He wrote the popular “Shall We Gather at the River” and “Christ Arose.”

W.H. Doane’s main occupation was president of a woodworking company, although he was trained in church choirs and earned a doctorate of music from Dennison University. During his lifetime, Doane (1832-1915) composed hundreds of hymns, and he published over 40 collection of hymns. Pure Gold was his fifth collection; a copy was owned by the Ingalls family. While working on the Little House books, Laura wrote sister Carrie and asked if she still had the old hymnal, and Carrie mailed it to Laura for reference.

     

“Merry, Merry Christmas!” (SSL 20)
     “Merry Christmas everywhere!”
     Merry, Merry Christmas everywhere!