Holy Holy Holy
Written 1826, published posthumously 1827. Public domain.
Verse 1
DHoly, holy, Aholy! DLord God AlGmighty
DEarly in the Amorning our Esong shall rise to AThee
DHoly, holy, Aholy! DMerciful and Gmighty
DGod in three Apersons, Dblessèd ATriDnity
Verse 2
DHoly, holy, Aholy! DAll the saints aGdore Thee
DCasting down their Agolden crowns aEround the glassy Asea
DCherubim and Aseraphim Dfalling down beGfore Thee
DWhich wert and Aart and DeverAmore shalt Dbe
Verse 3
DHoly, holy, Aholy! DThough the darkness Ghide Thee
DThough the eye of Asinful man Thy Eglory may not Asee
DOnly Thou art Aholy; Dthere is none beGside Thee
DPerfect in pow'r, in Alove and DpurAiDty
Verse 4
DHoly, holy, Aholy! DLord God AlGmighty
DAll Thy works shall Apraise Thy name in Eearth and sky and Asea
DHoly, holy, Aholy! DMerciful and Gmighty
DGod in three Apersons, Dblessèd ATriDnity
Playing Tips
🎸 Strum Pattern — Verse
Holy Holy Holy has a march-like character. We strum four steady downstrokes per measure with strong emphasis on beat 1. Keep it measured and deliberate. The majestic feel comes from a consistent, confident pulse, not from fills or flourishes.
🔊 Dynamics
We open this hymn at medium-full volume. It is a declaration of who God is, and a tentative opening does not serve the text. Start with confidence and let the full band carry from the first verse. The four verses build naturally without needing dramatic shifts.
🎵 Band Direction
Organ or piano is the ideal lead instrument for Holy Holy Holy. If you are guitar-led, let the keys hold the texture. Drums should play a steady march feel, brushes or light sticks. Avoid fills until the final verse when you can open things up slightly.
🎤 Vocal
The key of D can sit high for tenors during the E chord moments. If your congregation tends to sing low, capo 2 in C gives the same chord shapes and an easier range for the room. Many larger choral settings use Eb, which adds richness if you have strong voices.
→ Transitions
The four verses flow naturally with no chorus to navigate, so keep the transitions clean and unhurried. We play a short two-bar instrumental passage between verses 2 and 3 to give the congregation a moment to breathe without losing the momentum.