The Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette’s ‘In Nineteen Hundred Twenty-Five’ comes out a century after a papal encyclical
The Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette is a prolific hymn writer. (photo by Bruce Gillette)
November 18, 2025
Mike Ferguson
Presbyterian News Service
LOUISVILLE — Ahead of the 100th celebration of Christ the King Sunday on Nov. 23, the Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette has penned the lyrics for “In Nineteen Hundred Twenty-Five” to the tune of MORNING SONG, or “Song of Mary.”
“This year is the 100th anniversary of Pope Pius' encyclical Quas primas, published in 1925 that quotes Cyril of Alexandria, noting that Jesus' kingship was given to him by the Father and was not obtained by violence. 'Christ,' it says, 'has dominion over all creatures, a dominion not seized by violence nor usurped, but his by essence and by nature,’” she wrote.
“The feast day emphasizes the Lordship of Jesus Christ and as a counter to growing secularism and secular ultra-nationalism (the rise of fascism in Italy and Nazism in Germany in the 1920s as well as Christian nationalism today),” she wrote. “Many Protestant denominations now celebrate the day at the end of the liturgical year.”
Biblical references for the new hymn include Matthew 25:31-46; Ephesians 1:15-23, John 18:33-37, Revelation 1:4b-8, Luke 23:33-43, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 1:31-33 and Revelation 17:14.
November 18, 2025
Mike Ferguson
Presbyterian News Service
LOUISVILLE — Ahead of the 100th celebration of Christ the King Sunday on Nov. 23, the Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette has penned the lyrics for “In Nineteen Hundred Twenty-Five” to the tune of MORNING SONG, or “Song of Mary.”
“This year is the 100th anniversary of Pope Pius' encyclical Quas primas, published in 1925 that quotes Cyril of Alexandria, noting that Jesus' kingship was given to him by the Father and was not obtained by violence. 'Christ,' it says, 'has dominion over all creatures, a dominion not seized by violence nor usurped, but his by essence and by nature,’” she wrote.
“The feast day emphasizes the Lordship of Jesus Christ and as a counter to growing secularism and secular ultra-nationalism (the rise of fascism in Italy and Nazism in Germany in the 1920s as well as Christian nationalism today),” she wrote. “Many Protestant denominations now celebrate the day at the end of the liturgical year.”
Biblical references for the new hymn include Matthew 25:31-46; Ephesians 1:15-23, John 18:33-37, Revelation 1:4b-8, Luke 23:33-43, Colossians 1:11-20, Luke 1:31-33 and Revelation 17:14.
Churches and worshiping communities are free to use the new lyrics during, for example, a worship service.
In Nineteen Hundred Twenty-Five
MORNING SONG CM (“Song of Mary”)
In nineteen hundred twenty-five,
as hate and violence grew,
O Christ, your churches emphasized:
we follow only you!
As one who gave himself in love,
you showed us all God’s Way:
As one who reigns in heaven above,
you call us to obey.
No earthly king, no race or land,
should think that it is best.
We see your reign and understand
that all, in you, are blest.
Lord, may we welcome strangers here
and humbly help the poor.
The world calls us to pride and fear—
but your love calls us more.
As hate and violence surge again,
remind your church anew
that we’re committed to your reign.
Lord, may we follow you!
In Nineteen Hundred Twenty-Five
MORNING SONG CM (“Song of Mary”)
In nineteen hundred twenty-five,
as hate and violence grew,
O Christ, your churches emphasized:
we follow only you!
As one who gave himself in love,
you showed us all God’s Way:
As one who reigns in heaven above,
you call us to obey.
No earthly king, no race or land,
should think that it is best.
We see your reign and understand
that all, in you, are blest.
Lord, may we welcome strangers here
and humbly help the poor.
The world calls us to pride and fear—
but your love calls us more.
As hate and violence surge again,
remind your church anew
that we’re committed to your reign.
Lord, may we follow you!
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