The melody is credited to Dorsey, drawn extensively
from the 1844 hymn tune, "Maitland". "Maitland" is
often attributed to American composer George N. Allen
(1812–1877), but the earliest known source (Plymouth
Collection, 1855) shows that Allen was the
author/adapter of the text "Must Jesus bear the cross
alone," not the composer of the tune, and the tune
itself was printed without attribution for many years.
"Maitland" is also sometimes attributed to The Oberlin
Social and Sabbath School Hymn...(+)
The melody is credited to Dorsey, drawn extensively
from the 1844 hymn tune, "Maitland". "Maitland" is
often attributed to American composer George N. Allen
(1812–1877), but the earliest known source (Plymouth
Collection, 1855) shows that Allen was the
author/adapter of the text "Must Jesus bear the cross
alone," not the composer of the tune, and the tune
itself was printed without attribution for many years.
"Maitland" is also sometimes attributed to The Oberlin
Social and Sabbath School Hymn Book, which Allen
edited, but this collection does not contain music.
This tune originally appeared in hymnals and tune books
as "Cross and Crown"; the name "Maitland" appears as
early as 1868.
