Behind the Hymn: Sweeter As the Days Goes By

Sweeter as the Days Goes By was written by Genser Smith. The song has a 1984 copyright with LeFevre-Sing Publishing. The sweet hymn is often performed in the Gaither Homecoming videos. I’ve been unable to find any additional information on Genser Smith or the song. However, I love the lyrics and the reminder “The more I trust Him, the more […]

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Patriotic Song: Yankee Doodle Dandy

We just celebrated the 4th of July over the weekend.  Today I want to share the story behind one of our patriotic songs, Yankee Doodle Dandy. We all think about the Revolutionary War when we hear the song, however, the folk song dates back to even before the Revolutionary War. Yankee Doodle Dandy dates back to the Seven Years War.  […]

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Father’s Day Song: Good Good Father

Happy Father’s Day to all our Fathers. This song story is about the best Father of all. The Lord our God. Good Good Father refers to all the ways the Lord loves his children. It’s because of who he is, not who we are. The song was written by written by Pat Barrett and Tony Brown and recorded by Chris […]

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Hymn Story: Open my eyes that I may see

Open my eyes that I may see was written by Clara H. Scott. She was born in Elk Grove, Illinois on December 3, 1841. In 1856, Scott attended the first Music Institute held by C.M. Cady. She married in 1861 Henry Clay Scott. She wrote at least twenty hymns and published The Roy­al An­them Book in 1882, the first an­them […]

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Song Story: Crying in the Chapel

Crying in the Chapel was written by Artie Glenn for his son, Darrell, to sing. Darrell and Artie’s band, The Rhythm Riders, recorded the song in 1953. The song was rejected by a couple of publishers before being published by Valley Publishers. The original version was released in May 1953.  It became a local hit and soon spread throughout the […]

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Patriotic Song: In God We Still Trust

In God We Still Trust was written by Bill and Kim Nash with assistance from Rob LeClair, President of HolyBears, Inc. The idea came about as LeClair wanted a song that addressed God in America today for his animated Children’s video series. The country group Diamond Rio recorded the song and released it on their Greatest Hits II album, “In […]

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Song Story: Swing Down Sweet Chariot

Swing Down Sweet Chariot was recorded by Elvis Presley. It is a variation on the well-known “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” The songwriter is listed as traditional and it is unknown who altered the lyrics. The Golden Gate Quartet popularized the song in the 1940s. Elvis first recorded the song for his album His Hand in Mine and was backed up […]

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Song Story: His Hand in Mine

Elvis Presley is known for his love of gospel music and to often have hymn sings after his concerts. It is said he used it to “to rehearse and loosen up before concerts and at the beginning of recording sessions”. After the success of his single Peace in the Valley, Elvis was eager to record a full gospel album. His […]

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Hymn Story: Father Along

The chorus to Farther Along is one that is easy to get stuck in your heart and soul. Much of life we will only understand “farther along”. However, there are a lot of questions and uncertainty about the origins of this song. In 1911, Rev. W. A. Fletcher, an itinerant preacher, was struggling with his calling and family obligations. He […]

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Hymn Story: Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!

“Lying bedridden with a near fatal illness in 1866, William C. Dix found the hope to pen the words to the joyful hymn of victory, “Alleluia! Sing to Jesus!” Inspired by the words of Revelation to sing a new song, this hymn calls us to lift our voices and praise the ascended Christ, who yet remains with us and intercedes […]

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Hymn Story: The Day of Resurrection

 The Day of Resurrection was written by St. John of Damascus, an eighth-century Greek poet. He is known for his writing of six canons for the major festivals of the church year. He lived a life of wealth and honor until he became dissatisfied with his life at age forty. He gave away his possessions, freed his slaves and entered […]

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Hymn Story: Go to dark Gethsemane

Go to dark Gethsemane was written by James Montgomery. He was born in 1771 Ayrshire, Scotland. His parents died on the mission field while he was at boarding school. He is said to have a passion for missions, be independent minded and express radical ideas and causes. Montgomery was imprisoned briefly when he printed a song that celebrated the fall […]

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Hymn Story: And can it be that I should gain

And can it be that I should gain was written by Charles Wesley in 1738. He was the eighteenth child born to Samuel and Susanna Wesley on Dec. 18, 1707. It is believed he wrote at least 6500 hymns. He wrote of many personal experiences and feelings through his hymns. And Can It Be is said to have been written […]

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Hymn Story: Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed

Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed was written by Isaac Watts. Watts was born on July 17, 1674 in Southampton, England. In 1702, he became a pastor and accepted a call to Abney Park, where he would make a home the remainder of his life. He wrote over two thousand hymns along with sermons, treatises and poems. Some of his […]

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Hymn Story: An Evening Hymn

Thomas Ken was born in 1637 Hertfordshire, England. He studied a Winchester College and became ordained in the Church of England in 1662. He is said to be “a man of conscience and independent mind who did not shirk from confrontations with royalty.” The story is told “when King Charles II came to visit Winchester, he took along his mistress, […]

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Hymn Story: Children of the heavenly Father

Children of the heavenly Father was written by Caroline W. Sandell Berg. She was born in 1832 Sweden and known as Lina Sandell, the “Fanny Crosby of Sweden.” “Lina”. She wrote hymns partly to cope with the fact that she witnessed her pastor father’s tragic death by drowning. She is said to have been very close to her father and […]

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Hymn Story: Come down, O Love divine

Come down, O Love divine was written by Bianco da Siena an Italian poet and wool worker who was born at Anciolina, in the Val d’Arno around 1350. In 1367 he entered the Order of Jesuates, consisting of unordained men who followed the rule of St. Augustine. Little is known of Bianco beyond the fact that he is said to […]

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