Most modern hymnals restrict the hymn to four verses, with some unwelcome editorial changes.
But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. Despite Alford's justified criticism of editorial changes, there has also been some criticism of the hymn itself. Henry Alford was the son of the Rector of Aston Sandford. Educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, he took Holy Orders in 1833. He was vicar of Wymeswold, Leicestershire for 18 years, and later became Dean of Canterbury in 1857.