Hymn Story: In Gabriel’s hand a mighty stone
In Gabriel’s hand a mighty stone is a song written by Isaac Watts. He is best known as the author of Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound. He was born on July 17, 1674 in…
Hymn Story: Break Thou the Bread of Life
Breath Thou the Bread of Life was written by Mary A. Lathbury. Lathbury taught art and French in Vermont and New York schools. She also served as a poet in the summer programs at Chautauqua,…
Hymn Story: Day is Dying in the West
Day is Dying in the West was written by Mary Artemesia Lathbury. She was born on August 10, 1841 in Ontario County, New York. Day is dying in the West was written at the request…
Song Story: We Shall Behold Him
This is a very special song, as Daddy and I often performed this together. In his memory, I played it at his memorial service. Hard to believe we just passed the twenty year mark. This…
Oh, What a Savior!
When I first heard “O What a Savior” it brought me to tears. Over a decade later, I still love to listen to and sing the song. It caused me to wonder about the origin…
Hymn Story: God Leads Us Along
God Leads Us Along is a beautiful hymn that is not as well known as many of other hymns.The hymn was written by George A. Young, an obscure preacher and carpenter. He often struggled to…
Hymn Story: I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy Down in My Heart
I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy Down in My Heart is a popular song with children as well as sung around a camp fire. The tune is upbeat, catchy and hard to forget. George William…
Hymn Story: Breathe on Me, Breath of God
Breathe on Me, Breath of God was written by Edwin Hatch. Hatch was an English theologian born in Derby, England on September 4, 1835. He eventually became Bishop of Manchester and noted for his strong…
Hymn Story: Jesus, Lover of My Soul
Charles Wesley wrote Jesus, Lover of My Soul only months after he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior. He titled his hymn “In Temptation”. Little is known about the details and inspiration of the…
Song Story: Lord, I Lift Your Name on High
This popular praise and worship song was written by Rick Founds in 1989. Founds began writing music at an early age and has written over 300 songs. He moved to California, where he served as…
Song Story: There’s Something About that Name
There’s Something About that Name is another popular song by Bill and Gloria Gaither. The song expresses how there’s something special {although that words not used} about the name of Jesus. In 1970, they watched…
Song Story: Something Beautiful
Something Beautiful is a wonderful reminder by Bill and Gloria Gaither about how God can take all our dreams and hopes which have crumbled into ashes and turn them into something even better and more…
Patriotic Songs: The Liberty Bell Song
John Phillip Sousa composed a song for his unfinished operetta The Devil’s Deputy before financing for the show fell through. A short time later, Sousa an his band manager, George Hinton, attended the Columbian Exposition…
Hymn Story: This Is My Father’s World
This Is My Father’s World was written by Maltbie Davenport Babcock in 1901. Babcock was a minister living in Lockport, New York. He enjoyed taking frequent walks along the Niagara Escarpment which provided a…
Hymn Story: I Would be True
I Would Be True is a hymn written by Howard A. Walter in 1906. He is credited with writing the first three verses while living in Japan. He sent the lyrics to his mother…
Song Story: He Looked Beyond My Faults and Saw My Needs
This beautiful song was written around 1970 by Dottie Rambo. Dottie felt inspired to write a song about the grace of God, but had been unable to finish the song. After a concert,…
Behind the Song: Redemption Draweth Nigh
Scripture promises Jesus will return and only God in heaven knows the day and hour. Not even Jesus or the angels know when he will return. {Mark 13:32} Luke 21:28 says, “And when these things…
Behind the Hymn: Blessed Redeemer
Harry Dixon Loes, was a popular music teacher at the Moody Bible Institute for almost three decades in the early 20th Century.One day he was listening to a sermon on Christ’s atonement, titled “Blessed Redeemer”.…
Behind the Song: If We Never Meet Again
Elvis recorded the song If We Never Meet Again on his 1960 album His Hand in Mine. The song was written by Albert E. Brumley. Brumley was born near Spiro, Oklahoma in 1905. His childhood…
Behind the Mother’s Day Hymn: Hail Queen of Heaven
In recognition of Mother’s Day, Hail Queen of Heaven is a song about the Virgin Mary.Hail Queen of Heaven, the Ocean Star is a Marian hymn, which means it is focused on the Virgin Mary.…