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Hymn History: Just Over in the Glory Land Author: James Warren Acuff “He was a well-known singer and song writer among the Churches of Christ in Texas. He wrote several popular Gospel songs, often led the singing for protracted meetings, and helped compile hymnals for the Firm Foundation Company of Austin, Texas.” (NetHymnal) The Origin of the Hymn Read more...
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Hymn History: Jesus Loves the Little Children Author: Clarence Herbert Woolston “A pastor, gospel songwriter, and sleight-of-hand magician, Clarence Herbert Woolston (1856-1927) claimed that he had ‘addressed many more than 1,000,000 children’.” (C. Michael Hawn) The Origin of the Hymn “Jesus Loves the Little Children” Among the simplest and most cherished hymns of childhood, “Jesus Loves the Little Read more...
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Hymn History: I’d Rather Have Jesus Author: George Beverly Shea “He was a gentle spiritual giant, whose sweet spirit and tender timber of a voice prepared audiences for Graham’s message around the world for more than six decades.” (A. Larry Ross) The Origin of the Hymn “I’d Rather Have Jesus” Few hymns express Christian devotion as simply and Read more...
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Hymn History: Room at the Cross for You Author: Ira Forest Stanphill ‘The basic reason I have written songs is that I love God and Christ has loved me. Most of my songs are the outgrowth of real experiences with Christ. I think they appeal to people because I have had trials, heartaches, and sorrow in my own life, Read more...
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Hymn History: Sheltered in the Arms of God Author: Dottie Rambo “Hardly any modern hymnal fails to include one or more of her songs … Having written over 2,500 published songs, Dottie ranks with the beloved Fanny Crosby among the women who have had the greatest impact in the field of gospel music.” (Kentucky Music Hall of Fame) Read more...
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Hymn History: How Long Has It Been? Author: Thomas Mosie Lister “Mosie Lister was a study in contrasts. He wrote more happy songs than almost any other writer. He gave our feet songs to dance to when we were ‘feelin’ mighty fine.’ He seemed to feel the happy rhythms of life itself, and how he loved rhythms—intricate, syncopated, grin-making Read more...
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Hymn History: I Belong to the King Author: Ida Lillard Reed “Reed is said to have written 2,000 hymns in her lifetime. … In 1939, the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers recognized her ‘substantial contribution to American music’ by awarding her a small weekly “bonus.” (Hymnary) The Origin of the Hymn “I Belong to the King” Read more...
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Hymn History: Precious Lord, Take My Hand Author: Thomas Andrew Dorsey “As the Lord gave me these words and melody, He also healed my spirit … I learned that when we are in our deepest grief when we feel farthest from God, this is when He is closest and when we are most open to His restoring power.” (Thomas Read more...
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Hymn History: Through It All Author: Andraé Crouch The Origin of the Hymn Andraé Crouch’s Hymn “Through It All” Andraé Crouch’s enduring hymn, “Through It All,” stands as a cornerstone of modern gospel music, a profound and personal declaration of faith that has resonated across denominations, cultures, and generations. Written and copyrighted in 1971, this song is less a Read more...
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Hymn History: Ezekiel Saw de Wheel Composer: William Levi Dawson The Mystical Origins of “Ezekiel Saw de Wheel” “Ezekiel Saw de Wheel” is one of the most dynamic and enduring of all African-American spirituals. Like many songs of its genre, it has no single, known author and originated on the plantation complexes of the American South sometime in the Read more...
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Exploring the Murals of Pacoima, CA: A Visual Journey Imagine, by sheer coincidence, you’re wandering through the sun-drenched streets of Pacoima, CA, and you’re suddenly enveloped in a vibrant panorama of murals. Each wall you pass tells a different story, a melting pot of cultural narratives, historical timelines, and the undeniable talent of local artists. You’re not just admiring the aesthetics; Read more...
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Thomas A. Dorsey Father of Gospel Music Inscription. Thomas Andrew Dorsey, composer of over 400 blues and gospel songs, lived here following his birth in Villa Rica on July 1, 1899. At Mt. Prospect Baptist Church he was exposed to shape-note singing and at home learned to play a used pump organ, experiences he said “sprang” his career. The young Read more...
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2. Thomas A. Dorsey (Songwriters Hall of Fame). Excerpt: “…A high point for Dorsey’s music came when the legendary Red Foley and the Foggy Mountain Boys, stars of the Grand Ole’ Opry, recorded “Peace in the Valley,” which topped The Lucky Strike Hit Parade in 1948. His songs have been recorded by Elvis Presley, Pat Boone, Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, Jimmy Read more...
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Inscription. Born on July 2. 1897, in Somerville, Tenn., to sharecropper parents, the Rev. William H. Brewster was a prolific composer of gospel music, contributing over 200 works to the repertory. Two of his compositions, Move On Up a Little Higher (1946) and Surely, God is Able (1949) were the first black gospel recordings to sell over a million copies. An editor, educator, and poet, Read more...
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Inscription. Always eager to learn Born in 1851 to an enslaved father, Albert Tindley, and a free mother, Hester Miller Tindley, Charles Albert Tindley spent his childhood on a rural farm in Berlin. After marrying Daisy Henry, Tindley moved to Philadelphia, where he found employment as a brick carrier and a janitor at the church he attended. Despite his status Read more...
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Hymn History: A Child of the King Author: Harriet Eugenia “Hattie” Peck Buell “Harriett E. Buell, a native of New York state, wrote the words for ‘A Child of the King’ as she walked home from church one Sunday.” (Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society, Vol. 12, No. 22 [Spring 1999], p. 27) The Origin of the Hymn Read more...
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Hymn History: A Glorious Church Author: Ralph Erskine Hudson “He often took old hymns and gave them a new tune, with a jolly, bouncing chorus.” (Robert Cottrill) The Origin of the Hymn “A Glorious Church” The hymn “A Glorious Church” is a stirring declaration of the beauty, purity, and victory of Christ’s redeemed people. With its triumphant refrain—“’Tis Read more...
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Hymn History: All for Jesus Author: Mary Dagworthy James “It is noted that she ‘strived to live a life as close to Christ as possible.’” (Hymnary.org) The Origin of the Hymn “All for Jesus” The hymn “All for Jesus” is a heartfelt expression of complete consecration to Christ—an anthem of surrender that calls believers to live every moment, Read more...
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Hymn History: All That Thrills My Soul Author: Thoro Harris “His greatest success was achieved with his favourite song… one contemporary recalled him as ‘a very energetic person, walking about the city almost constantly carrying a little canvas handbag in which he carried copies of his song-books for sale.’” (Praise!) The Origin of the Hymn “All That Thrills Read more...
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Hymn History: Anywhere With Jesus Author: Jessie Brown Pounds “Her ability to express deep spiritual truths in simple, heartfelt language made her a favourite among churches and Sunday schools.” (referring to her hymn “Anywhere With Jesus”) (Hymnal Library) The Origin of the Hymn “Anywhere with Jesus” The hymn “Anywhere with Jesus” is a beautiful expression of trust, courage, Read more...