The burial in the cemetery that is most widely and universally known must be Cecil Frances Alexander one of the most popular hymn writers in the English language. Her compositions “Once in Royal David’s City “, “All Things Bright and Beautiful” and “There’s a Green Hill Far Away “are household names. The Green Hill Far Away, is believed by many to be the spot in the cemetery where she is buried for it is a green hill far away without a city wall [ Derry Walls]. She lies at rest facing the Cathedral where her husband was bishop and the Palace where she resided and wrote many famous hymns.
Others claim the hymn was written before Cecil Frances Alexander came to Derry while at her funeral service it was remarked it related to the bible story and the green hill far away without a city wall where Jesus was crucified. Anyway, Derry will claim the local link! Cecil’s husband William Alexander was Bishop of Derry and Raphoe and her grave is marked with a marble cross believed to be the first cross erected in the Protestant section. Her funeral procession was one of the most elaborate that ever entered the cemetery with clergy from all faiths and thousands of mourners. It was remarked at the service that some present had travelled to the most remote corners of the world, in times when travel was very limited, and locals and tribes would all know her hymns presumably due to the work of missionaries.
“Your daughters shall prophesy. Your old men shall dream dreams. Your young men shall see visions”, is inscribed on the cross.” Wise words as relevant today as ever. Cecil Frances Alexander’s son lies at rest nearby a victim of the WW1 sinking of the RMS Leinster off the East Coast weeks before the war ended when over 600 souls perished.
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Cecil Frances Alexander: Author of the Hymn; There's a Green Hill Far Away | Jan 2023
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