An examination of the enduring popularity of the hymn, How Great Thou Art. Based on a Swedish poem by Carl Gustav Boberg, it was written by the British missionary Stuart Hine in 1949.

It subsequently become an Elvis Presley classic and as the country and western star , Connie Smith explains, it's the piece she always sings to close her show, the stirring lyrics and soaring melody having the ability to move and inspire audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

At the age of 101, George Beverly Shea shares his clear memories of singing it at hundreds of Billy Graham crusades.

Featuring:

Bud Boberg Ray Bodkin Bev Shea Jerry Schilling Malcolm Imhoff David Darg

Series exploring famous pieces of music and their emotional appeal.

Producer: Lucy Lunt

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2010.

225: The Messenger