Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

The Story Behind the Hymn

The lyrics were written in 1844 by Henry Alford, an English clergyman and scholar. Originally intended as a harvest hymn, it was written during a time when England’s churches would celebrate the gathering of crops each autumn. But Alford’s words go beyond the fields — they speak of a greater harvest, the final gathering of God’s people.

The most familiar melody, St. George’s Windsor, was composed by George J. Elvey, and it gives the hymn a stately, peaceful rhythm. Together, the music and lyrics form a song of both thanksgiving and anticipation — thanking God for His provision now, and looking forward to the day He brings His people home.

What Makes It Powerful

This hymn begins with gratitude for the physical provision we can see — harvest, food, family, community. But by the second verse, it shifts into a deeper message: that Christ is Lord of the harvest, and that one day He will gather His people to Himself. It’s a song about faithfulness — both God’s and ours.

A verse that reflects the hymn’s dual message of thanksgiving and eternal hope is Matthew 9:37–38 (NIV):

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

This hymn reminds us that gratitude isn’t just about receiving — it’s about preparing for what’s to come and living ready to be gathered by the Lord.

My Violin Cover

When I arranged “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” for violin, I aimed to keep it light and calm, like a peaceful procession. There’s a sense of gratitude built into the melody, and I tried to let that shine through with simple, warm phrasing.

With Violin Hymns, I try to match the emotion of each song. This one doesn’t rush — it invites. It’s thankful, but also quietly joyful in looking forward to the final gathering in God’s eternal home.

Listen and Reflect

The video is below. As you listen, think about all you’ve been given — not just materially, but spiritually. Let this hymn be your reminder that the God who provides now is also the One who will gather His people forever. Come, ye thankful people, come — raise the song of harvest home. All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.

Lyrics

Come, ye thankful people, come,

Raise the song of harvest home;

All is safely gathered in,

Ere the winter storms begin;

God, our Maker, doth provide

For our wants to be supplied;

Come to God's own temple, come,

Raise the song of harvest home.

All the world is God’s own field,

Fruit unto His praise to yield;

Wheat and tares together sown,

Unto joy or sorrow grown;

First the blade, and then the ear,

Then the full corn shall appear;

Lord of harvest, grant that we

Wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come,

And shall take His harvest home;

From His field shall in that day

All offenses purge away;

Give His angels charge at last

In the fire the tares to cast;

But the fruitful ears to store

In His garner evermore.

Even so, Lord, quickly come

To Thy final harvest home;

Gather Thou Thy people in,

Free from sorrow, free from sin,

There, forever purified,

In Thy presence to abide;

Come, with all Thine angels, come,

Raise the glorious harvest home.

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