Hymns Sung In Oscar Nominated Hollywood Films Quiz

Answer: Love Story

The correct answer is 'Love Story', one of the highest grossing films of all time. Starring Ali MacGraw and Ryan O'Neal, the script for the romantic drama film was written by Erich Segal, author of the book with the same name.

'Love Story' was nominated for seven Academy Awards, winning for Best Music, Original Score.

The words to 'Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming' are derived from a German carol, 'Es ist ein Ros ent­sprung­en', from the 15th Cen­tu­ry. Verses 1 and 2 were trans­lat­ed from Ger­man to Eng­lish by The­o­dore Bak­er in 1894. Meanwhile, Verses 3 and 4 were trans­lat­ed by Har­ri­et Rey­nolds Krauth and Verse 5 was trans­lat­ed by John C. Mat­tes.

Here are the words to Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming':

"Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming from tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse's lineage coming, as men of old have sung.
It came, a floweret bright, amid the cold of winter,
When half spent was the night.

Isaiah 'twas foretold it, the Rose I have in mind;
With Mary we behold it, the virgin mother kind.
To show God's love aright, she bore to men a Savior,
When half spent was the night.

The shepherds heard the story proclaimed by angels bright,
How Christ, the Lord of glory was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped and in the manger found Him,
As angel heralds said.

This Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor the darkness everywhere;
True Man, yet very God, from sin and death He saves us,
And lightens every load.

O Savior, Child of Mary, who felt our human woe,
O Savior, King of glory, who dost our weakness know;
Bring us at length we pray, to the bright courts of Heaven,
And to the endless day!"

Answer: Our Town

'Our Town' is the correct answer. The movie was released in 1940 as an adaptation of a play of the same name by Thornton Wilder. In addition to starring Martha Scott as Emily Webb and William Holden as George Gibbs, the cast also included Fay Bainter, Beulah Bondi, Thomas Mitchell, Guy Kibbee and Frank Craven.

The movie was nominated for seven Academy Awards, including best picture.

'Blest Be the Ties that Bind' was written by John Fawcett in 1782. Fawcett was born in 1739 in Lidget Green, Bradford, England. In addition to being a noted hymn writer, he was a Baptist pastor and a theologian.

Here are the words to 'Blest Be the Ties That Bind':

"Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.

Before our Father's throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one
Our comforts and our cares.

We share each other's woes,
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.

When we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.

This glorious hope revives
Our courage by the way;
While each in expectation lives,
And longs to see the day.

From sorrow, toil and pain,
And sin, we shall be free,
And perfect love and friendship reign
Through all eternity."

Answer: Pennsylvania

The correct answer is Pennsylvania, home of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League.

Although he was born in in South Hill, New York, James M. Black spent much of his adult life in Pennsylvania and is buried at Wild­wood Cem­e­te­ry in Will­iams­port, Pa.

Black was a major force in the hymn writing scene in the late 1800s and the early 1900s. Hymnary.org reports Black wrote almost 1,500 hymns, edited more than a doz­en Gos­pel song books and served on a commission for the 1905 Meth­od­ist hym­nal.

'Sergeant York' was released in 1941 and is a biographical film about Alvin York, described by Wikipedia as "one of the most decorated American soldiers of World War I."

Wikipedia goes on to state: "York refused, several times, to authorize a film version of his life story, but finally yielded to persistent efforts in order to finance the creation of an interdenominational Bible school. The story that York insisted on Gary Cooper for the title role derives from the fact that producer Jesse L. Lasky recruited Cooper by writing a plea that he accept the role and then signed York's name to the telegram."

Cooper went on to win the Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of York. The movie also won an Academy Award for best film editing. It was nominated in nine other categories, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor (Walter Brennan).

Here are the words to 'When the Roll is Called up Yonder':

"When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair;
When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there.

Refrain:
When the roll, is called up yon-der,
When the roll, is called up yon-der,
When the roll, is called up yon-der,
When the roll is called up yonder I'll be there.

On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise,
And the glory of His resurrection share;
When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies,
And the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there.

[Refrain]

Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun,
Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care;
Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done,
And the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there.

[Refrain]"

Answer: The Human Comedy

'Leaning On the Everlasting Arms' was sung in the 1943 Academy Award nominated mo­vie 'The Hu­man Com­e­dy'. It stars Mickey Rooney with Frank Morgan and also appearing in the film are James Craig, Marsha Hunt, Fay Bainter, Ray Collins, Van Johnson, Donna Reed and Jackie 'Butch' Jenkins.

According to Wikipedia, the movie is "often thought to be based on the William Saroyan novel of the same name, but Saroyan actually wrote the screenplay first, was fired from the movie project, and quickly wrote the novel and published it just before the film was released".

Stroyan won the Oscar for Best Original Story. 'The Human Comedy' was also nominated in four other categories, including Best Pic­ture and Best Ac­tor.

Anthony Showalter wrote the chorus for 'Leaning on the Everlasting Arms' and then asked Elisha Hoffman to write the remaining lyrics, according to Wikipedia. Showalter was a Gospel music composer, teacher and publisher while Hoffman was a Presbyterian minister who composed more than 2,000 hymns and edited more than 50 song books.

Here are the words to 'Leaning on the Everlasting Arms':

"What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

Refrain:
Leaning, leaning, safe and secure from all alarms;
Leaning, leaning, leaning on the everlasting arms.

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

[Refrain]

What have I to dread, what have I to fear,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
I have blessed peace with my Lord so near,
Leaning on the everlasting arms.

[Refrain]"

Answer: Titanic

'Titanic', of course, is the correct answer.

'Nearer, My God, to Thee' was written by Sarah Flower Adams in 1841. Adams was born at Harlow, Essex, Great Britain on February 22, 1805 and died in London on August 14, 1848.

'Nearer, My God, To Thee' is often associated with the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 as some survivors told of the hymn being played while the ocean liner was sinking. Other survivors, however, disputed the claim. Wikipedia reports 'Nearer, My God, to Thee' was sung by the doomed crew and passengers of the SS Valencia as it sank off the Canadian coast in 1906 "and this event may be the source of the Titanic legend."

When Canadian born James Cameron produced the Oscar-winning movie 'Titanic', a scene showed band members playing 'Nearer, My God, to Thee' as the luxury liner was slowly sinking in the North Atlantic. As a result, the legend about the hymn being played on the Titanic has become even more entrenched.

The movie 'Titanic' was a blockbuster, receiving fourteen Academy Award nominations, tying the record set in 1950 by Joseph L. Mankiewicz's 'All About Eve'. 'Titanic' would win a whopping eleven Oscars. The Oscars were for Best Picture (the second film about the Titanic to win that award, after 1933's 'Cavalcade'), Best Director, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing, Best Costume Design, Best Sound, Best Sound Effects Editing, Best Original Dramatic Score and Best Original Song. Kate Winslet, Gloria Stuart and the make-up artists were the three nominees who did not win. Leonardo DiCaprio was not nominated.

Meanwhile, the 1936 film 'San Francisco' is based on the 1906 earthquake that devastated the California city. The movie starred Clark Gable, Jeanette MacDonald, and Spencer Tracy. It was nominated for six Academy Awards with Douglas Shearing winning the Oscar for Best Sound Recording.


Here are the words to 'Nearer, My God, To Thee':

"Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!
E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.

Refrain:
Nearer, my God, to Thee,
Nearer to Thee!

Though like the wanderer, the sun gone down,
Darkness be over me, my rest a stone.
Yet in my dreams I'd be nearer, my God to Thee.

[Refrain]

There let the way appear, steps unto Heav'n;
All that Thou sendest me, in mercy given;
Angels to beckon me nearer, my God, to Thee.

[Refrain]

Then, with my waking thoughts bright with Thy praise,
Out of my stony griefs Bethel I'll raise;
So by my woes to be nearer, my God, to Thee.

[Refrain]

Or, if on joyful wing cleaving the sky,
Sun, moon, and stars forgot, upward I'll fly,
Still all my song shall be, nearer, my God, to Thee.

[Refrain]

There in my Father's home, safe and at rest,
There in my Savior's love, perfectly blest;
Age after age to be, nearer my God to Thee.

[Refrain]"

Answer: 1942

'Mrs. Miniver' was released in 1942, in the midst of the Second World War. The film was directed by William Wyler and starred Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon.

"Based on the 1940 novel 'Mrs. Miniver' by Jan Struther, the film shows how the life of an unassuming British housewife in rural England is touched by World War II," Wikipedia states. "She sees her eldest son go to war, finds herself confronting a German pilot who has parachuted into her idyllic village while her husband is participating in the Dunkirk evacuation, and loses her daughter-in-law as a casualty."

'Mrs. Miniver' won six Academy Awards in 1943 including Best Picture while Greer Garson won for Best Actress and Teresa Wright for Best Supporting Actress.

'Onward Christian Soldiers' is popular with Christians around the world and the Salvation Army is noted for using it in parades and street crusades. The words were written in England by Sabine Baring-Gould in 1865, and the music was composed by Arthur Sullivan in 1871, according to Wikipedia. "The lyric was written as a processional hymn for children walking from Horbury Bridge, where Baring-Gould was curate, to Horbury St Peter's Church near Wakefield, Yorkshire, at Whitsuntide in 1865," Wikipedia reports. "It was originally entitled, 'Hymn for Procession with Cross and Banners'." According to Wikipedia, Baring-Gould wrote the world-famous hymn in about fifteen minutes.

Here are the words to 'Onward Christian Soldiers':

"Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!

Refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.

At the sign of triumph Satan's host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell's foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.

[Refrain]

Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.

[Refrain]

What the saints established that I hold for true.
What the saints believèd, that I believe too.
Long as earth endureth, men the faith will hold,
Kingdoms, nations, empires, in destruction rolled.

[Refrain]

Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ's own promise, and that cannot fail.

[Refrain]

Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and angels sing.

[Refrain]"

Answer: Chariots of Fire

'Chariots of Fire', starring Ben Cross and Ian Charleson, is the correct answer.

"It tells the fact-based story of two athletes in the 1924 Olympics: Eric Liddell, a devout Scottish Christian who runs for the glory of God, and Harold Abrahams, an English Jew who runs to overcome prejudice," Wikipedia states.

Wikipedia goes on to state: "The film's title was inspired by the line, 'Bring me my chariot of fire,' from the William Blake poem adapted into the popular British hymn 'Jerusalem'; the hymn is heard at the end of the film. The original phrase 'chariots of fire' is from 2 Kings 2:11 and 6:17 in the Bible."

'Chariots of Fire' won four Academy Awards: For Best Picture, Best Writing (Original Screenplay), Best Costume Design and Best Original Score.

Meanwhile, Will­iam Blake wrote 'Jerusalem', cir­ca 1804. Some sourc­es cred­it the first two lines to John Mil­ton.

Here are the words to 'Jersusalem':

"And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the Holy Lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen?
And did the countenance divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among these dark satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold!
Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!
Bring me my chariot of fire!
I will not cease from mental fight,
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,
Till we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land."

Answer: The Man Who Would be King

'The Man Who Would be King' is the correct answer. The film was adapted from the Rudyard Kipling story of the same name.

"The film follows two rogue ex-non-commissioned officers of the Indian Army who set off from late 19th-century British India in search of adventure and end up as kings of Kafiristan," Wikipedia states.

The film was nominated for four Academy Awards: Best Art Direction, Best Writing, Best Costume Design and Best Editing.

The hymn 'The Son of God Goes Forth to War' was written by Reginald He­ber in 1812. Wikipedia states Heber was an English bishop, traveler, man of letters and hymn-writer who, after working as a country parson for sixteen years, served as the Bishop of Calcutta until his sudden death at the age of 42.

Here are the words to 'The Son of God Goes Forth to War':

"The Son of God goes forth to war,
A kingly crown to gain;
His blood red banner streams afar:
Who follows in His train?
Who best can drink his cup of woe,
Triumphant over pain,
Who patient bears his cross below,
He follows in His train.

That martyr first, whose eagle eye
Could pierce beyond the grave;
Who saw his Master in the sky,
And called on Him to save.
Like Him, with pardon on His tongue,
In midst of mortal pain,
He prayed for them that did the wrong:
Who follows in His train?

A glorious band, the chosen few
On whom the Spirit came;
Twelve valiant saints, their hope they knew,
And mocked the cross and flame.
They met the tyrant's brandished steel,
The lion's gory mane;
They bowed their heads the death to feel:
Who follows in their train?

A noble army, men and boys,
The matron and the maid,
Around the Savior's throne rejoice,
In robes of light arrayed.
They climbed the steep ascent of Heav'n,
Through peril, toil and pain;
O God, to us may grace be given,
To follow in their train."

Answer: Fanny Crosby

Fanny Crosby was the writer of 'Blessed Assurance', a hymn sung in two Academy Award winning movies in back-to-back years in the 1980s. The hymn was sung in 'Places of the Heart' in 1984 and in 'The Trip to Bountiful' in 1985.

'Places in the Heart' was written and directed by Robert Benton and is about a widow in Texas during the Depression who tries to save the family farm with the help of a blind white man and an impoverished black man. Sally Field won an Oscar for best actress for her portrayal of the widow. The movie also won an Academy Award for best original screen play. It was also nominated for an Oscar in five other categories.

Meanwhile, 'The Trip to Bountiful' starred Geraldine Page who won an Oscar for best actress. The movie was also nominated for an Academy Award for best adapted screenplay.

The movie was adapted by Horton Foote from his television play of the same name.

Although she was blind, Fanny Crosby was without equal when it came to writing sacred hymns. She is credited with writing at least 8,000 hymns, but some Websites report the total is higher as a large number of her hymns were written under pseudonyms.

In her book titled 'Fanny J. Crosby, an Autobiography' she writes she lost her sight when she was six weeks old as a result of a wrong diagnosis made by a doctor.

Wikipedia, however, suggests it is likely Crosby was blind at birth. "At six weeks old, Crosby caught a cold and developed inflammation of the eyes," the Website states. "Mustard poultices were applied to treat the discharges. According to Crosby, this procedure damaged her optic nerves and blinded her but modern physicians think that her blindness was more likely congenital and, given her age, may simply not have been noticed by her parents."

Regardless if she was blind at birth, or blinded by accident six weeks after birth, Crosby reportedly went through life regarding her blindness as a blessing. . "...If at birth I had been able to make one petition, it would have been that I was born blind," Crosby is quoted as saying by the Website Christianhistory.net. "Because when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior."

She is also quoted as stating she was grateful for her blindness because it kept her dependent on the Lord. Had she been born with sight, Crosby feared her Christian faith would not be as strong as it was.

Here are the words to 'Blessed Assurance':
"Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

[Refrain]

Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

[Refrain]"

Answer: Little Women

'For the Beauty of the Earth' was sung in the 1994 Academy Award nominated movie 'Little Women'. The movie was based on the Louisa May Alcott novel of the same name. Starring in the movie were Winona Ryder, Susan Sarandon, Trini Alvarado, Claire Danes, Kirsten Dunst and Christian Bale.

Wikipedia states the film was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Winona Ryder, Best Costume Design and Best Original Score.

Fol­li­ot S. Pier­point wrote 'For the Beauty of the Earth' in 1864. Pierpoint was born in 1835 in Bath, England.

Here are the words to 'For the Beauty of the Earth':

"For the beauty of the earth
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies.

Refrain:
Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.

For the beauty of each hour,
Of the day and of the night,
Hill and vale, and tree and flower,
Sun and moon, and stars of light.

[Refrain]

For the joy of ear and eye,
For the heart and mind's delight,
For the mystic harmony
Linking sense to sound and sight.

[Refrain]

For the joy of human love,
Brother, sister, parent, child,
Friends on earth and friends above,
For all gentle thoughts and mild.

[Refrain]

For Thy Church, that evermore
Lifteth holy hands above,
Offering up on every shore
Her pure sacrifice of love.

[Refrain]

For the martyrs' crown of light,
For Thy prophets' eagle eye,
For Thy bold confessors' might,
For the lips of infancy.

[Refrain]

For Thy virgins' robes of snow,
For Thy maiden mother mild,
For Thyself, with hearts aglow,
Jesu, Victim undefiled.

[Refrain]

For each perfect gift of Thine,
To our race so freely given,
Graces human and divine,
Flowers of earth and buds of Heaven.

[Refrain]"