Modern hymns get in top of pops

'How Great Thou Art' has topped a Songs of Praise poll of viewers' favourite hymns.

Tens of thousands of viewers voted in the poll, with some interesting results.

The appearence of 'How Great Thou Art' at the top is no surprise - it has regularly topped such polls, after the Revd Billy Graham named it as his favourite in the 1950's.

But, although the list is dominated by rousing traditional hymns, some more modern numbers have crept into the top 10.

Graham Kendrick's 'Shine Jesus Shine', from 1987, came 10th in the poll. Above it, at number nine, was 'In Christ Alone', written just three years ago by Stuart Townsend and Keith Getty.

'Dear Lord and Father of Mankind' was second, while 'The Day Thou Gavest' came third.

From The Baptist Times, 3 November 2005