The hymn "Fling Out the Banner! Let It Float" is a powerful and enduring call to missionary endeavor and the triumph of the Christian message. Its history involves a prominent American bishop who penned the stirring words and a renowned English composer who provided the majestic tune. Here's a breakdown of its history: 1. **The Lyrical Origin – Bishop George Washington Doane (1848)** * **The Author:** The words were written by **George Washington Doane** (1799–1859), the second Bishop of New Jersey for the Episcopal Church in the United States. Doane was a significant figure in 19th-century American Episcopalianism, known for his administrative skills, educational initiatives (he founded St. Mary's Hall, a pioneering school for girls, and Burlington College), and his contributions to hymnody. * **Date of Composition:** Doane wrote the hymn in **1848**. * **Context and Intent:** Doane was a fervent advocate for missionary work and evangelism. The hymn reflects the spirit of the flourishing 19th-century missionary movement, urging Christians to spread the message of Christ "to every zone." The imagery is martial and triumphant, depicting the Cross as a banner of conquest and peace. It's a call to action, proclaiming the victory of the cross over darkness and sin. * **Publication:** The hymn first appeared in a collection of his works, "Songs by the Way," which was published posthumously by his son, William Croswell Doane, in **1875**. 2. **The Musical Setting – Sir John Stainer and "All Saints" (1868)** * **The Composer:** The majestic and widely used tune for "Fling Out the Banner!" is **"All Saints,"** composed by **Sir John Stainer** (1840–1901). Stainer was an eminent English organist, composer, and musicologist, famous for his oratorio "The Crucifixion" and his significant contributions to Anglican church music. * **Date of Composition of the Tune:** Stainer composed the tune "All Saints" in **1868** specifically for the Revised Edition of **Hymns Ancient & Modern**. It was originally set for another hymn, "The Head That Once Was Crowned with Thorns," but its powerful and processional character made it an ideal match for Doane's text. * **The Marriage of Text and Tune:** It was through the efforts of hymnal editors, particularly in later editions of **Hymns Ancient & Modern** and other prominent hymnals (like the *Episcopal Hymnal 1892* and *The English Hymnal*), that Doane's lyrics were paired with Stainer's "All Saints" tune. The combination proved to be incredibly effective, with the robust and uplifting music perfectly complementing the stirring message of the words. 3. **The Hymn's Enduring Legacy:** * **Message:** "Fling Out the Banner! Let It Float" remains a popular hymn, particularly in Anglican/Episcopal churches and other mainline denominations. Its message of the universality and transformative power of the Christian message, coupled with the call to actively spread it, continues to resonate. * **Usage:** It is frequently sung at missionary gatherings, for ordinations, during Eastertide (emphasizing Christ's victory), and on occasions celebrating the wider mission of the Church. * **Impact:** The hymn serves as a reminder of the historical commitment to global evangelism and the ongoing call for believers to carry the "banner of the Cross" into the world, symbolizing peace, light, and salvation. In essence, "Fling Out the Banner! Let It Float" is a transatlantic collaboration: American words filled with missionary fervor, married to a grand English tune, together creating a timeless anthem of faith and evangelism.