ABOUT THE MAN

Father John Glynn is a former priest of the Diocese of Brentwood see www.dioceseofbrentwood.net in Essex & East London, England, in the United Kingdom of Great Britain.

He was born in Barnet, Hertfordshire, in 1948 and was brought up in Wanstead in East London, the eldest of six children. After primary education at St. Joseph's Convent in Wanstead and St. Ignatius' Preparatory School (now Loyola School) John graduated to St. Ignatius' College, Stamford Hill, North London.   Despite this strong Jesuit influence, he chose to train for the diocesan priesthood in 1966.

While studying at St. John's Seminary, Wonersh, near Guildford in Surrey, John met a fellow student, Colin Murphy, and together they wrote three songs, John providing the words for Colin's melodies.  The third song, written in January 1970, was "Close To You", probably better known as "I Watch the Sunrise".  Since then, the song has featured on radio and television, in concerts and churches all around the world, including the score of an Australian film, an album of Daniel O'Donnell,  "Faith and Inspiration", a 2004 episode of "Coronation Street" [Britain's longest running TV soap opera], and the BBC Three 2005 documentary, "Gypsy Wars".

It wasn't long before John was teaching himself to play the guitar and composing music as well writing lyrics. After he was ordained priest in 1974, John's first appointment was to St. Helen's Parish in Westcliff-on-Sea.  Kevin Mayhew and Joan McCrimmon of the music publisher, Mayhew-McCrimmon, were directing the liturgical music in the parish and beginning to produce the "20th Century Folk Hymnal".  When they heard some of John's compositions, they immediately wanted to include them in their publications.  Since then, John Glynn's musical works have been published in many collections, notably "Celebration Hymnal" and "Hymns Old and New". Aquila Music Trust publishes John Glynn's recordings.  The Trust was formed on 4th December 1991 to process income from John's music and to make discretionary payments to Charities. Remember, 10% from every sale goes to CAFOD, the international humanitarian aid organisation of the Roman Catholic Church in England & Wales.