Behind the Hymn: The Banner of the Cross
The Banner of the Cross was written by Daniel W. Whittle. Daniel Whittle served in the Civil War, obtaining the rank of major. He was known as Major Whittle the remainder of his life. After…
Behind the Patriotic Song: Some Gave All
The fourth of July is in just a few days, so I thought we would enjoy a Patriotic favorite. Some Gave All was written by Billy Ray Cyrus and debuted on his 1992 album of…
Behind the Song: We Are One in the Bond of Love
We are one in the bond of love is another popular chorus that originated in the early 1970s. The song is known both as We Are One in the Bond of Love and Bond…
Behind the Song: The Family of God
The Family of God is a song that I grew up singing in church and is ingrained on my heart and soul. At one church, we gathered together and held hands as we sang this…
Behind the Song: Let’s Just Praise the Lord
This month we will be exploring popular praise hymns from the last few decades. Let’s Just Praise the Lord was written by Bill and Gloria Gaither. In their book Something Beautiful, Gloria shares that one…
Behind the Hymn: Tell It Again
Mary Bridges Canedy Slade lived in Fall River, Massachusetts. This was the town made famous by the 1892 Lizzie Borden murder case, who was tried for the brutal murder of her father and step-mother. Mary…
Behind the Song: Follow Me
In 1953, two young missionaries, Charles and Mary Greenaway attended the Grand Paririe conference in Texas . The couple shared their journey and experience as missionaries to Africa. They shared that they felt Africa was…
Behind the Song: Mansion over the Hilltop
Mansion Over the Hilltop was written by Ira F. Stanphill in 1949. He is described as a gifted musician, who had been playing the piano, organ and other instruments since he was ten years old.…
Behind the Song: I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
Ira Stanphill was an accomplished musician and minister. Ira served with 9 different organizations in the capacities of youth director, music director and pastor. He preached across America, and in 40 other countries. He wrote…
Behind the Hymn: Footprints of Jesus
Mary Bridges Canedy was born on January 18, 1826 in Fall River, Massachusetts. She was the eleventh of thirteen children born to William and Susan Luther Canedy. As a young woman she married Albion King…
Behind the Song: Room at the Cross for You
He was saved at the age of twelve. By the time he was seventeen he was composing and performing his own songs and began preaching by the time he graduated college at the age of…
Behind the Hymn: Take Up thy Cross, the Savior Said
Take Up Thy Cross, The Saviour Said is not to be confused with the more popular Take Up Thy Cross and Follow Me {Wherever He Leads I’ll Go}. Take Up Thy Cross, The Saviour Said…
Behind the Hymn: Hallelujah! Christ is Risen
Happy Easter! Today we are taking a look at a lesser known Easter hymn. Christopher Wordsworth was the nephew of noted poet, William Wordsworth. Christopher was born on October 30, 1807. Both he and his…
Behind the Song: He Could Have Called Ten Thousand Angels
When we hear a hymn, it is usually with the belief that the hymn writer was a believer. However, the author of He Could Have Called Ten Thousand Angels, was led to Christ by his…
Behind the Song: Were You There {When they Crucified My Lord}
When you think of Spirituals, often upbeat songs such as Swing Low Sweet Chariot and Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho comes to mind. However, some spirituals, such as Were You There {When they Crucified…
Behind the Hymn: I Will Sing the Wondrous Story
I Will Sing the Wondrous Story was written by Francis H. Rowley in 1886. Francis Harold Rowley was born in Hilton, New York on July 25, 1854. His father was a doctor. After graduating…
Behind the Song: There is a Redeemer
There is a Redeemer was written by Melody Green in 1977. Melody had grown up in the Jewish faith of her forefathers, who survived persecution in tsarist Russia. Today Melody says, “My family history…
Behind the Song: The Lord’s Prayer
Jesus taught us how we should pray to our God in heaven. His prayer became known as The Lord’s Prayer. The Lord’s Prayer can be found in Matthew 6 and Luke 11. The Lord’s…
Song Story: Put Your Hand in the Hand
Put Your Hand in the Hand is a catchy, upbeat tune that was written by Gene MacLellan. Anne Murray first recorded the song for her 1970 album Honey, Wheat and Laughter with Capitol Records. I’ve…
Song story: The Love of God
Frederick M. Lehman, the 20th Century author and composer of the hymn The Love of God, wrote a pamphlet in 1948. He wrote the following account of writing the song in his pamphlet “History of…