Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

ca. 1841

Death

:

1905

Period

:

Romantic

 

James Ramsey Murray was an American composer and publisher of hymns and other religious music. He was born on March 7, 1841, in Andover, Massachusetts, to Scottish parents. His father was a music teacher and his mother was a singer, so music was a part of his life from an early age. Murray showed a talent for music at a young age and began playing the organ at his local church when he was just 14 years old. Murray attended Phillips Academy in Andover and then went on to study at Yale University, where he graduated in 1862. After graduation, he worked as a music teacher and organist in various churches in New York and New Jersey. In 1874, he became the music director at the First Presbyterian Church in Orange, New Jersey, where he remained for the rest of his life. Murray was a prolific composer and publisher of hymns and other religious music. He published his first hymn, "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing," in 1864. This hymn became one of his most popular and is still sung in churches today. Murray went on to publish many more hymns, including "Beautiful Savior," "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken," and "I Need Thee Every Hour." Murray was also known for his work as a music editor and publisher. In 1874, he founded the Murray Music Company, which published hymnals and other religious music. He also edited several hymnals, including "Hymns and Tunes for Prayer and Social Meetings" and "Hymns of the Church." One of Murray's most famous works is the tune for the hymn "Away in a Manger." The lyrics for this hymn were written by an unknown author in the late 19th century, and Murray composed the tune in 1887. The hymn became popular in the United States and is now sung around the world during the Christmas season. Murray's other notable works include the hymn "Sun of My Soul," which he composed in 1870, and the tune for the hymn "We're Marching to Zion," which he composed in 1902. Both of these hymns are still sung in churches today. Murray was also involved in the temperance movement, which advocated for the prohibition of alcohol. He composed several hymns that were used in temperance meetings, including "The Temperance Battle Hymn" and "The Prohibition March." Murray died on March 10, 1905, in Orange, New Jersey, at the age of 64. He was remembered as a talented composer and publisher of religious music who had a significant impact on the music of the church. His hymns and tunes continue to be sung and enjoyed by people around the world.

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