Hymn For My Father

Album: Collective Soul (Rabbit) (2009)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This soft, sad ballad is the closing track from Atlanta-based rock band Collective Soul's second eponymous album, which is also referred to as Rabbit.
  • The song is about the father of vocalist Ed Roland and his rhythm guitarist brother Dean. Lead guitarist Joel Kosche explained to Classic Rock magazine: "That's a very personal song that Ed wrote, and is a tribute to Ed and Dean's father, who died four years ago. Ed grew up singing hymns, so it seemed only natural that he should write a song about it. After all, his father helped develop his early musical career and really encouraged him to take that path artistically."

Comments: 1

  • Jason Delmar Reed from Chattanooga, TnI see your father has been gone for many years now, He used to be my teacher at Stockbridge HS, He was a great guy, I am so blessed to have getting to know him. For my graduate, in 1995. He invited me over to your family home there in stockbridge,ga. I had the chance to meet all of you guys. No one can take that experience away from me, best gift ever!! To see you guys still going strong 30 yr now. Congrat!!!!
    Look me up in the yearbook.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Elton John

Elton JohnFact or Fiction

Does he have beef with Gaga? Is he Sean Lennon's godfather? See if you can tell fact from fiction in the Elton John edition.

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions Answered

Why Does Everybody Hate Nu-Metal? Your Metal Questions AnsweredSong Writing

10 Questions for the author of Precious Metal: Decibel Presents the Stories Behind 25 Extreme Metal Masterpieces

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.

Band Names

Band NamesFact or Fiction

Was "Pearl" Eddie Vedder's grandmother, and did she really make a hallucinogenic jam? Did Journey have a contest to name the group? And what does KISS stand for anyway?

90s Music Quiz 1

90s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

First question: Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson appeared in videos for what artist?

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.