Carl P. Daw

Carl P. Daw Jr. (born 1944) is an American hymn writer, Episcopal priest, and scholar whose work has had a major influence on modern English-language hymnody. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, and raised in Tennessee in the home of a Baptist minister, Daw developed an early connection to church life and worship. He studied at Rice University and later earned a Master’s and Ph.D. in English from the University of Virginia, going on to teach English at the College of William and Mary for several years before entering ordained ministry. After completing his theological training at the University of the South in Sewanee, he was ordained in the Episcopal Church and served congregations in various parts of the United States.

Daw’s contribution to church music became especially significant through his involvement with The Hymnal 1982, where he served on the Text Committee. It was during this period that he began writing hymns, quickly gaining recognition for texts that are both theologically rich and poetically accessible. His hymns are marked by strong biblical foundations, careful attention to liturgical use, and a deep concern for clarity in congregational singing. Well-known texts such as “God the Spirit, Guide and Guardian” and “Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song” reflect his ability to express profound doctrinal truths in language suitable for worship.

In addition to his writing, Daw has played a leading role in hymnological scholarship and leadership within the church. He served as Executive Director of The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada from 1996 to 2009 and taught hymnology at Boston University School of Theology. He has also authored several collections, including A Year of Grace, To Sing God’s Praise, and New Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs, which have contributed to the renewal of hymn writing in the late twentieth century. In recognition of his lasting impact, he was named a Fellow of the Royal School of Church Music in 2011. Through his combined work as a pastor, scholar, and hymn writer, Carl P. Daw Jr. continues to shape the worship life of the church, providing hymns that unite doctrinal depth with enduring poetic beauty.