Hosanna, Loud Hosanna

“Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” is a Palm Sunday hymn written by Jeanette Threlfall in 1873. It celebrates Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, seen through the eyes of children rejoicing and praising Him. The hymn draws especially on the Gospel accounts of Jesus riding in on a donkey, as the crowds wave palm branches and shout “Hosanna,” and it includes the image of children being blessed and honored by Christ. Threlfall, who suffered fragile health for much of her life, wrote hymns that often combine tender devotion with clear biblical imagery.

The hymn is structured in three stanzas, each ascending in its praise. The first stanza recalls how childrn sang praises and were blessed by Jesus; the second follows the procession from the Mount of Olives; and the third lifts the worship into a declaration of Christ as Redeemer and King. The melody most often paired with it is “Ellacombe,” a tune from the Gesangbuch of Württemberg (1784), which complements its triumphant yet reverent mood. 

This hymn has become a standard in many Christian denominations’ Palm Sunday services. Because of its focus on children’s voices and the imagery of palms, it’s especially used in services involving families. Over time, it has been included in countless hymnals. Its public domain status (words and tune) allows wide use and many musical arrangements. Threlfall’s life story—raised in Blackburn, Lancashire; orphaned; suffering ill health; yet devout—contributes to the hymn’s depth and warmth.