We Gather Together

The text was originally written by an anonymous author, at the end of the sixteenth century, to celebrate the Dutch freedom from the Spanish overlords, who had been driven from their land, and the freedom that was theirs, both politically from Spain and religiously from the Catholic Church. A number of Dutch nationalistic songs developed as a result of this patriotic emphasis. “We Gather together” is generally considered to be the finest of these musical expressions. It was first published in Adrian Valerius’ Nederlandtsche Gedenckclanck, in 1626, in Haarleem. For the next two centuries, the singing of this hymn was limited to the Dutch people. In 1877, it was discovered by Edward Kremser, a Viennese musician, who published it in his collection entitled Sechs Altniederlanddische Volkslieder. The English translation of this text was made by Theodore Baker, in 1894, and it appeared in Dutch Folk Songs (1917) compiled by Coenraad V. Bos.

“We Gather Together” must be understood and appreciated from its historical setting. For many years, Holland had been under the scourge of Spain, and in 1576, Antwerp was captured and sacked by the Spanish armies. Again, 1585, it was captured by the Spanish and all of the Protestant citizens were exiled. Many other Dutch cities suffered similar fates. One of the revered leaders of this struggle against Spain was William the Silent, who eventually was murdered by a Catholic assassin. In 1625, his youngest son, Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange, assumed the leadership of the Union of Dutch Provinces. Under his able leadership for more than a quarter century, a great golden age of prosperity and rich post-reformation culture developed throughout Holland. Commerce was expanded around the world, and this was the period of great Dutch art, with such well-known painters as Rembrandt and Vermeer. In 1648, the Spanish endeavors to control Holland were finally destroyed beyond recovery.

One can readily see the references to these historical events throughout the hymn’s text: “The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing,” “so from the beginning the fight we were winning,” as well as the concern, in the final stanza, that God will continue to defend–”and we pray that Thou still our defender will be.”

The tune, “Kremser,” was named after the Viennese musician, who discovered and published this hymn after two centuries of neglect. The original melody is thought to be a folk song from the Netherlands. Edward Kremser was born on April 10, 1838, in Vienna, Austria, and died there on November 27, 1914. He was a noted choral director as well as the composer and publisher of numerous vocal and instrumental works.

The English translator of this text, Theodore Baker, was born in New York City on June 3, 1851. He was highly respected as a noted music researcher. His famous Biographical Dictionary of Musicians, first published in 1900, became an authoritative, reference book for all serious students of music. From 1892 to 1926, Baker served as literary editor for the G. Schirmer Music Company. Upon his retirement in 1926, Theodore Baker returned to Germany, where he had relieved his earlier musical training, and died in Dresden, Germany, on October 13, 1934.