The story

In the ancient ruins of Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, archaeologists unearthed a papyrus scrap containing the earliest known Christian hymn, complete with both its lyrics and musical notation.

Hosted by Australian historian John Dickson, The First Hymn is a feature-length documentary that follows an ancient song from its desert origins to its rediscovery today. As the story unfolds, composers Chris Tomlin and Ben Fielding reimagine the melody for modern worship, leading to a live concert performance.

They Found A Song Buried For 2,000 Years

Archaeologists uncovered a small fragment in the Egyptian desert. What was written on it has completely changed what we know about early Christianity. Discover the remarkable true story.

You Can Still Hear This 2,000-Year-Old Song

Most ancient songs disappeared forever. This one didn't. Against all odds, its words and music survived for nearly 2,000 years.

What Did The First Christians Sing?

For centuries, nobody knew what the earliest Christian worship sounded like. Then archaeologists found something extraordinary.

Lost. Found. Sung Again.

A forgotten song has journeyed from an Egyptian desert to a modern stage.

The journey

Lost Discovery

Archaeologists uncovered a small fragment in the Egyptian desert that changed what we know about early Christianity.

The Astonishing Find

Researchers at Oxford discovered the oldest known Christian hymn complete with musical notation—something that should not have survived.

Brought Back to Life

Modern composers Chris Tomlin and Ben Fielding reimagine the ancient melody, breathing new life into a song lost for centuries.

The Performance

The hymn comes alive in a powerful concert setting, connecting ancient worship with modern audiences.

A Timeless Message

A song that survived 2,000 years continues to inspire and move people today.

Experience The First Hymn

Own the documentary and discover the ancient song that connects us across millennia

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The First Hymn

A journey through time to discover the earliest known Christian hymn