Edward Perronet, the writer of this hymn, was a close associate of John and Charles Wesley.  He was born in England in 1726 and was educated for the ministry in the Church of England.  He objected to many of the practices of the church, leaning strongly to the doctrines of the Wesleys.

He pulled out of the Church of England and started an independent church in Canterbury.  Shortly after he established his church, he wrote this famous hymn which was published in 1780.  A few years later those same verses appeared in a book of poems by an anonymous author.  Most of Perronet’s work was done under an assumed name, or he used no name at all.

The tune, Coronation, which is just as popular as the verses, was written by one of America’s most noted hymn tune writers, Oliver Holden.  He composed it during a time of great rejoicing.  His wife had just presented him with a fine baby girl.  The four-and-a-half-octave organ on which he composed the tune is still displayed in the Old State House in Boston.

In church services today, you may hear these verses sung to three tunes: Coronation, Miles Land or Diadem.

England and America came together in the persons of Edward Perronet and Oliver Holden and gave to the world the hymn, “All Hail the Power of Jesus Name.”

Bro. J.E.