How Great Thou Art Lyrics: History, Meaning & Best Versions

A thunderclap on the Baltic coast in 1885 sparked a poem that would circle the globe, survive two world wars, and become the soundtrack to both Billy Graham’s crusades and his funeral. “How Great Thou Art” crossed from Swedish to English through war and revival, landing as a staple at funerals and in Catholic masses.

Original language: Swedish ·
Year written: 1885 ·
English translation by: Stuart K. Hine ·
Standard verses: 4 ·
Famous performer: Elvis Presley ·
Funeral usage: Common across denominations

Six key facts sum up the hymn’s journey from a Swedish poem to a global staple.

What’s the story behind the hymn “How Great Thou Art”?

Who wrote the original poem?

• Carl Boberg, a Swedish editor and lay minister, wrote the poem “O Store Gud” in 1885 after being caught in a violent thunderstorm near the southeast coast of Sweden. The storm suddenly cleared, leaving calm and birdsong — the scene moved him to write (The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square).
• Boberg published the poem in his own magazine in 1886 (Luke Powell Ministries).
• The original nine-stanza text begins: “O Store Gud, nar jag den varld beskader” (The Tabernacle Choir).

How did it become an English hymn?

• An early English translation by E. Gustav Johnson appeared in 1925 (Reawaken Hymns).
• The version sung today is largely the work of British missionary Stuart K. Hine. While serving in the Carpathian Mountains in 1931, he heard a Russian translation of a German version of Boberg’s poem (Wikipedia). Hine loosely translated it into English in 1949, adding original verses and the melody (Reawaken Hymns).
• His version was first published in 1949 and gained traction through evangelical networks (The Tabernacle Choir).

What role did World War II play in its spread?

• Hine’s missionary work during the war years, including time in Poland and Ukraine, exposed more displaced people to the hymn (Luke Powell Ministries).
• After the war, returning soldiers and relief workers carried the tune to Britain and North America (YouTube / grace101.org video).

The implication: Without the global upheaval of the 1930s-40s, Boberg’s poem might have remained a Swedish regional hymn. War forced mobility, and mobility forced translation.

Is How Great Thou Art a funeral hymn?

Why is it chosen for funerals?

• The lyrics emphasize awe, hope, and the majesty of creation — themes that offer comfort not tied to any one theology (The Tabernacle Choir).
• Its slow, buildable melody works well for congregational singing even in grief-stricken settings. Survey data on funeral music show it ranks among the top five hymns requested in North American Protestant services.

Which denominations use it at funerals?

• Used across Protestant traditions: Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, non-denominational (Wikipedia).
• Also increasingly common in Catholic funeral masses — included in Catholic hymnals such as Gather and Breaking Bread (The Tabernacle Choir).

Was it played at Billy Graham’s funeral?

• Yes, the hymn was sung at Billy Graham’s funeral in March 2018 (The Tabernacle Choir). It was also a staple at his crusades for decades.

The pattern: The hymn’s universal creation theology makes it safe for grieving families of almost any Christian background. That’s rare — and why it’s become a default rather than a choice.

Do Catholics sing “How great thou art”?

Is it in Catholic hymnals?

• Yes, it appears in major Catholic hymnals including Gather (GIA Publications) and Breaking Bread (Oregon Catholic Press) (The Tabernacle Choir).
• It is frequently sung at Catholic funerals and during Ordinary Time masses.

How does it fit into Catholic liturgy?

• Though originally Protestant, its text does not contain controversial doctrine. The focus on God’s greatness in creation aligns with Psalm 8 and Romans 1:20 (The Tabernacle Choir).
• Some parishes use it as a recessional hymn; others during the Preparation of the Gifts.

What is the Catholic perspective on the hymn?

• Catholic music directors typically consider it a “cross-over” hymn — not originally Catholic, but widely accepted (Reawaken Hymns).
• The US Conference of Catholic Bishops has not officially endorsed it, but no liturgical objection has been raised.

The catch: Its inclusion in Catholic worship is a quiet victory for ecumenism — no encyclicals, no declarations, just a good hymn that works.

Who sang the best version of How Great Thou Art?

Four iconic recordings, one pattern: each performance brings a different emotional register.

Which recordings are most iconic?

• Elvis Presley’s 1977 version won a Grammy for Best Inspirational Performance (The Tabernacle Choir).
• Carrie Underwood’s performance at the 2021 CMA Awards, with CeCe Winans, racked up millions of views (YouTube).
• The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square has recorded the hymn multiple times; its version is considered a gold standard for choral renditions (The Tabernacle Choir).

How do critics and fans rank performances?

• Folk consensus: Elvis’s version is the most commercially successful; Carrie Underwood’s is the most recent viral hit; Shea’s is the most historically significant (Wikipedia).
• No single performance is universally considered “best” — a point of healthy debate among hymn enthusiasts.

What makes a version stand out?

• Vocal power to handle the dynamic crescendo of the “Then sings my soul” refrain.
• Arrangements that build from quiet reverence to full orchestral climax.
• Authenticity — the best versions feel personal, not performance-y.

What was Billy Graham’s favorite hymn?

Why did Billy Graham love this hymn?

• Graham said “How Great Thou Art” was his favorite hymn (The Tabernacle Choir).
• The sweeping declaration of God’s majesty matched Graham’s evangelistic message and his own personal faith experience.

How did he use it in his crusades?

• The hymn was sung at nearly every Billy Graham crusade worldwide, often by George Beverly Shea (Wikipedia).
• During the 1957 New York Crusade, it was reportedly sung 93 times (YouTube / grace101.org video — note: this claim has lower confidence).
• It became a signature moment: the choir would begin softly, then the full congregation would join the refrain.

What is the hymn’s legacy through Graham’s ministry?

• Because of Graham’s global reach, “How Great Thou Art” became the best-known English hymn of the 20th century (The Tabernacle Choir).
• It was sung at his funeral in 2018, closing the loop on a lifelong relationship.

The implication: Without Billy Graham, the hymn might have stayed a mid-century evangelical hit. With him, it became an anthem for two generations of Christians worldwide.

What the hymn’s journey tells us

“This hymn has become a part of the Christian experience around the world. It’s a song of awe and wonder that crosses denominational lines.”

— Billy Graham, as cited by The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

“The story of ‘How Great Thou Art’ is a testament to the power of a single poem to travel through languages, wars, and centuries.”

— The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square official history

The hymn’s evolution from a Swedish thunderstorm to a funeral staple shows how a simple creation poem can defy boundaries between Protestant and Catholic, between celebrity performance and congregational worship. For churches planning a funeral or a music director choosing congregational songs, the implication is clear: pick the version that best matches your congregation’s emotional register, or risk losing the very comfort the hymn is meant to bring.

Related reading: Romans 10:9 Meaning Explained · Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Complete History, Songs & Concert Guide

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