Behind the Hymn: More About Jesus
More About Jesus was written by Eliza Edmunds Hewitt and John R. Sweney provided the music. More about Jesus was one of the first collaborations of Hewitt and Sweney. The song was first published in…
Behind the Hymn: The dear old story of a Savior’s love
The dear old story of a Savior’s love is also referred to as “Sweeter as the Days Go by”. The hymn was written by Eliza Edmunds Hewitt. The hymn was published in 1898 in Songs…
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…
Christmas Song Story: Mary’s Boy Child
Mary’s Boy Child is a popular Christmas carol written in 1956 by Jester Hairston. Hairston roomed with a friend who asked him to write a song for a birthday party. He wrote the song with…
Hymn Story: Beneath the Cross of Jesus
Imagine standing at the foot of Jesus cross with his mother, Mary Magdalene, the other women and the apostle John. Beneath the Cross of Jesus gives us insight to this time and place. The song…
Hymn Story: This is the Day
This is the Day is an upbeat song that reminds us that this is the day the Lord has made, we should be happy and rejoice. The hymn is based on Psalm 118:24, “This is…
Hymn Story: Lord, Speak to Me That I May Speak
Lord, Speak to Me That I May Speak was written by Frances R. Havergal in 1872. Havergal is one of several women hymn writers who lived in the late Victorian era of England {18th Century}.…
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,…
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: 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…
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: 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…
Song Story: This Ole House
I’m familiar with the song This Ole House, but knew nothing of it’s origin. Only when researching the story behind another song, did I discover the story behind this song. The song was written by…
Song Story: It Is No Secret What God Can Do
It Is No Secret, was written by Craig Stuart Hamblen, who also wrote Until Then. Hamblen was the son of a Methodist minister and is considered one of radio’s first “singing cowboys”. He lived a…
Song Story: Through It All
The song Through It All was written by Andráe Crouch and is his biography and testimony wrapped up into one. Andráe Crouch was born on July 1, 1942 in Los Angeles, California. He experienced devesating…
Hymn Story: I Gave My Life for Thee
An art museum in Dusseldorf, Germany has a vivid painting on display of Christ, “wearing His crown of thorns as He stands before Pilate and the mob”. Underneath the painting, by Sternberg, are the word…
Hymn Story: Jesus Saves
Priscilla J. Owens was a Baltimore public school teacher for forty-nine years and often wrote hymns for children’s services. She was very involved in the Sunday School at her church. She wrote the words to…
Behind the Christmas Carol: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
The hymn God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen is over 500 years. The song we sing today has a completely different meaning then at the time it originated. The hymn is one of the oldest known…