Notes About the Composer
Borghild Jacobson (1932 -1994): Born at Fargo, ND. Reared in Moorhead, MN. Earned BA at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN. Pursued graduate studies at University of Minnesota. High school and college teacher. Parish worker. Directed choirs in ND, MI and WI. Husband: Harvey K. Jacobson. Children: Paul Jacobson, Ferndale, MI, and Maren McCue, Chelsea, MI.About Borghild's Music
Borghild Jacobson blessed us with a rich legacy of sacred music. She wrote the words and music to more than 200 vocal works including hymns, choral anthems, quartets, duets, rounds and solos. Her music and lyrics have been published by several publishers and religious organizations. Many of her works are self-published.
Her music and hymns have grown steadily in use during the last two decades. Her works have been featured at synod conventions, church festivals and concerts, and as an integral part of congregational worship in many churches throughout the United States and Canada. Her music continues to influence the spiritual lives of Christians from many denominations.
"This My Church Shall Be" is by far her most requested hymn. One of the goals of the commemoration project was to make available additional works, including a select group of her best but underexposed hymns.
May Blessed Be O Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Inspire my psalmody,
That with the hymns of heaven's host,
My hymns may blessed be;
May blessed be, May blessed be;
That with the hymns of heaven's host,
My hymns may be.
- Borghild Jacobson's personal prayer for her music, expressed
in Stanza 3 of her hymn, "May Blessed Be"Her Song Goes On
Shortly after Borghild's death, a Minnesota pastor wrote, "What a contribution Borghild made to enrich our lives. Her song will go on!" Hearing of plans for the Washington National Cathedral Festival in 1994, a University dean in North Dakota wrote, "Somehow Borgie's earthly life seems extended, renewed, in new ways by the publication of [her works] and the celebratory performance of her music."
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Comments Following are comments about Borghild's signature hymn, "This My Church Shall Be"
Essence. "The hymn captures for me in a wonderful way the many, many facets of our church's life that I have known over the years." - Pastor, Appleton, WI, who selected the hymn for his retirement service.
Inspiring. "This is a wonderful hymn with an inspiring text and energizing tune."- Pastor, First Congregational Church, Wisconsin.
Affinity. "We were introduced to your beautiful hymn at the Upstate New York Synod
Assembly. We who heard it and sang it were thrilled with it."- Member of Lutheran congregation, West Seneca, NY.
Integrity. "The hymn is both theologically and musically sound."- Pastor, Ann Arbor, MI.
Singable. "We think it is very meaningful hymn and very singable."- Pastor, Ohio.
All One Body. "For the past three years our church has sung that hymn at the end of the service just before we have our annual meeting. The text seems to set just the right mood for contemplation of the role of the annual meeting in our church life and the responsibilities of each of us in the church body."- Choir director, United Church of Christ, Illinois.
Personal. "I must confess that my eyes were teary by the last verse as I am always moved by this strong statement of faith in Christ."- Choir member, Gainesville, FL.
Please consider using Borghild's music in your music ministry.
+ Blessed be the memory of Borghild Schoberg Jacobson +
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