Van Dyke wrote this poem in 1907 while staying at the home of
Williams College president
Harry Augustus Garfield. He was serving as a guest preacher at Williams at the time. He told his host that the local
Berkshire Mountains had been his inspiration. Van Dyke wrote of this hymn: These verses are simple expressions of common Christian feelings and desires in this present time—hymns of today that may be sung together by people who know the thought of the age, and are not afraid that any truth of science will destroy religion, or any revolution on earth overthrow the kingdom of heaven. Therefore this is a hymn of trust and joy and hope. "This hymn is generally considered by hymnologists to be one of the most joyous expressions of hymn lyrics in the English language." == Original text ==