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I mentioned in an earlier post that my friend, Joyce, and I used to go up to the church and play the piano - even the organ, after one became available (we were less successful on the organ, if memory serves). One of our favorite songs to play, and to request during hymn request time, was "Saved, Saved!"
I think I also mentioned earlier that hymns about friends and friendship were the ones that spoke the most to me when I was a teenager (which was when Joyce and I were friends). I often found myself in some kind of friendship drama, whether real or imagined - you know...teenagers...and I took strength from these hymns.
Now, I know that this song isn't about "teenage issues." The message of this song is clear and true. If you don't know what it means to be saved and to have Jesus as your friend, either leave a comment or click on the "email me" link over there in the upper right-hand column. Whether answering questions or getting you information, I'm happy to help. Salvation, and the joy that comes from the Lord, is for anyone who will accept it.
Jack P. Scholfield (1882 - 1972) wrote the words and music to "Saved, Saved!" in 1911. I'm a bit stunned to learn that he was alive in 1972. Joyce and I may have been mutila-, er, playing, his song while he was still alive. I guess I think of the hymn writers as having lived long before me.
I haven't really found anyone's recording of this that I especially love. There isn't much of a selection out there, frankly, although, I did find the piano part from the 25 Hymns of Jesus, My Savioralbum, by Worship Service Resources. So, that's what I've used here. It's kind of cool. I like to pretend that this is how it sounded with Joyce playing the right hand, and me, the left (I swear, that's how we did it, Marge - I wouldn't make this up). It's up to you, this time, to provide the vocals. Sing pretty!
Saved,
Saved
I’ve found a Friend, Who is all to
me, His love is ever true; I love to tell how He lifted me And what His
grace can do for you.
Saved by His power divine, Saved to new life
sublime! Life now is sweet and my joy is complete, For I’m saved, saved,
saved!
He saves me from every sin and harm, Secures my soul each
day; I’m leaning strong on His mighty arm; I know He’ll guide me all the
way.
Saved by His power divine, Saved to new life sublime! Life now
is sweet and my joy is complete, For I’m saved, saved, saved!
When
poor and needy and all alone, In love He said to me, “Come unto Me and
I’ll lead you home, To live with Me eternally.”
Saved by His power
divine, Saved to new life sublime! Life now is sweet and my joy is
complete, For I’m saved, saved, saved!
This performance of "Saved, Saved!" on the 25 Hymns of Jesus, My Savior album, is available for purchase and download at both iTunes and Zune.
"What is the price of two sparrows? One copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows."
Matthew 10:29-31
When I was about three or four, my dad graduated from seminary. His first church after graduating was First Baptist Church of Greenwood in Shawnee, KS. I loved that church. We met in my school, Greenwood Elementary. The school was out in the country at a four-way stop. Across the street on one side was the Grange. I loved the Grange, too. I only went inside it one week a year - Vacation Bible School week. I love remembering the way that place smelled, all musty and dusty, with a hint of Kool-aid in the air. Oops, I digress.
Anyway, as any good ol' Baptist church at the time, people were awarded for their Sunday School attendance (I hope they still do this somewhere, but I'm afraid it's one of those customs that has fallen to the wayside). Unless I ever happened to be sick on a Sunday, I had perfect attendance each year. We were given the little bar to add to the pin and previous bars. Sometimes Bibles were awarded. One year, my dad asked what I wanted. It was either 1967 or 1968. We had just been through a Billy Graham crusade in Kansas City. My wonderful Aunt Babe loved hearing Ethel Waters sing, and one of Ms. Waters'
popular songs was "His Eye is on the Sparrow." We had just heard her sing this at the crusade. I told my dad I wanted an Ethel Waters record.
Now, Aunt Babe cried at the singing of anything (Aunt Babe is pictured here with Uncle Don - as always, click on the photo for a larger view). And the better she knew the singer, the more she cried. The more she knew the song, the more she cried. The more important the song was, the more she cried. I think you get my point. The Sunday I was to get my award, I knew Aunt Babe would cry. And, she did.
Over the years, I watched many a Billy Graham Crusade (it was required at our house). I've seen Ethel Waters sing "His Eye is on the Sparrow" countless times. Each and every time, I had Aunt Babe on my mind. We've sung this hymn at church frequently, as well, and I've always thought of Aunt Babe.
I've been debating which version to show here. There are two different versions at You Tube. One is a 1975 crusade performance. The other is from the 1952 movie, "The Member of the Wedding," starring Ethel Waters and Julie Harris. I believe the movie version is what I will use here. Here is the link to the Billy Graham Crusade performance. In both, the song doesn't begin until several minutes into the video.
His Eye is on the Sparrow
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely, and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
"Let not your heart be troubled," His tender word I hear,
And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears;
Though by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise,
When songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies,
I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me;
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
I sing because I'm happy,
I sing because I'm free,
For His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.
These lyrics were written by Civilla D. Martin in 1905. She wrote to explain how the writing of "His Eye is on the Sparrow" came about:
"Early
in the spring of 1905, my husband and I were sojourning in Elmira, New
York. We contracted a deep friendship for a couple by the name of Mr.
and Mrs. Doolittle, true saints of God. Mrs. Doolittle had been
bedridden for nigh twenty years. Her husband was an incurable cripple
who had to propel himself to and from his business in a wheel chair.
Despite their afflictions, they lived happy Christian lives, bringing
inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were
visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright
hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle's reply
was simple: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." The
beauty of this simple expression of boundless faith gripped the hearts
and fired the imagination of Dr. Martin and me. The hymn, "His Eye Is on
the Sparrow," was the outcome of that experience."
The next day, she sent the words to Charles H. Gabriel, who composed the music.
I've spent some time this week listening to versions done since Ethel Waters' performances. Crystal Lewis does a jazzy version on her Holy, Holy, Holy album. Not normally my style, but I do enjoy listening to Ms. Lewis' take on this:
This one, done by the Gaithers on their Peace in the Valley CD, is a bit more traditional. I've been happily listening to it, as well:
As with a number of my favorite hymns, the reason that I first fell in love with this song had more to do with my relationship with someone important to me. And, just as with other favorite hymns, the more familiar I became with these songs and realized the truth of the message in the words, they became special to me for reminding me of the Lord, what He has done and why, and what He continues to do in my life, the lives of all of His children, and in this world. I have gotten through many a difficult time thinking of and singing "His Eye is on the Sparrow."
The Crystal Lewis download is available at iTunes. The Gaithers' download is available at iTunes and Zune.
I love this hymn, "It is Well with My Soul." I have taken comfort in its words countless times, since forever, I think. There have been times I thought my or my family's world was about to collapse, have been on the verge of panic and despair (or have actually been panicking and totally desperate), and have found myself trying to fix situations that are pretty much hopeless and beyond my understanding and control. At the point that this song starts playing in my mind, I remember that God is in control. Nothing is beyond His understanding, He knows what needs to be done, and He will be with us as we continue down the path on which he is leading us. The key, of course (and the part I tend to struggle with, I confess), is to turn everything over to the Lord and trust Him.
It is Well with My Soul
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.
It is well, with my soul,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
I never knew the story behind the writing of these verses, though, until the late '80s/early '90s. We were at church on a Sunday night. Wayne Graham, our music minister (the best there is!) at Graceview, told us how Horatio Spafford came to write this song in 1873. It is a story of great tragedy and great faith, and I've neither heard nor sung "It is Well with My Soul
" since, without thinking of how it came to be written. Philip P. Bliss composed the music in 1876. Mr. Bliss's story is worth reading, as well.
Years ago, 2nd Chapter of Acts came out with a second album of hymns, Hymns 2. "It is Well" is one of the songs on the album. Theirs has been my favorite version. I love hearing it, and I love singing it with them!
About three years ago, I was trying to find some contemporary Christian music that Brett would listen to. None of the kids are particularly interested in my choices of music, but there have been a few exceptions. I found this version of "It is Well with My Soul" by Jars of Clay, on their album, Redemption Songs. I thought it sounded pretty cool, which was why I was afraid it wouldn't go over very well. To my astonishment, Brett loved it! He has listened to it many times. It's a bit more upbeat than is what is usually done, but I'm all for groups making hymns relevant to the younger generations. This song has such an important message, I want it to be something that comes to the minds of my kids, even if it has a different arrangement or beat than the one I've known forever. The Jars of Clay version is the one playing, above, with the lyrics.
And then, yesterday, I wanted to check and see if there were any more recent versions that had come out. I discovered Katie Giguere. She has "It is Well" on her album, Bringin' Me Hope. It's more in the traditional style of the song, yet it has a contemporary flair. She is young and has a beautiful, beautiful voice. The guitar accompaniment on this song is fantastic!
I hesitate to share this little anecdote - and I may take it out - about what was going on while I was trying to decide on which song to choose for this week. I had pretty much decided on "It is Well with My Soul." Tim and Evan were repairing the deck and preparing it for Brett to stain. I was listening to a number of groups' versions, thinking about Horatio's family, and decided to check out the deck crew. Well! I totally disagreed with what they were doing. I wanted, essentially, for the deck to be taken apart and rebuilt...now. Tim had more of a "Let's repair what's broken or rotted, and stain the wood, so that it will be in decent condition until we can rebuild it in a couple of years," attitude. I stormed back to my computer and started listening to "It is Well..." and thinking about the words, the beauty of the music, how important the song has been to my life. And then, I'd go open the door and yell at Tim about how I didn't like what he was doing and how stupid I thought his decision was. I'd shut the door, come back to the computer, and think about how important it is to trust God, leave things to Him, how wonderful that my sins were nailed to the cross, that the Lord is here with us, etc. Go back and yell at Tim. Finally, the ridiculousness of the situation hit me. I am so pathetic! How embarrassing. I did apologize to Tim and to the Lord. He must get so tired of me. Well, they both probably do. Thankfully, they've both promised to not give up on me!
All of these songs are available at Zune. The Jars of Clay and Katie Giguere versions are also at iTunes. The 2nd Chapter of Acts version is at Zune; they have an instrumental version at iTunes. You may already know this, that even if you don't have an iPod or a Zune player, you can still download the iTunes and Zune software for free, and play songs on your computer. The songs aren't free. At iTunes, they cost $.99. At Zune, you can purchase a monthly pass with unlimited downloads, or buy points and purchase songs for $.79. There are more details at their websites.
"...Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer..."
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
Take it to the Lord in prayer:
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour, still our refuge;
Take it to the Lord in prayer:
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He'll take and shield thee;
Thou wilt find a solace there.
Tim had asked me if "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" was going to make the favorites list. I told him that it definitely would, as I have always loved this song. This song is special to Tim because he remembers it was a favorite song of his dad's, and he remembers hearing Dad sing it. Tim has also grown quite fond of the song, himself, and appreciates the strength and peace he feels when thinking of the truth of the words.
The song has gotten me through many difficult times. When I was a teenager, I was especially drawn to it because of the "friend" aspect. There was always some kind of drama going on in my personal relationships! (At least I thought there was.) I'd think of and sing this song frequently. As I've gotten older, and more real and serious problems have occurred, many things I have brought on myself, I have turned to this song to remind me that I'm not alone, all is not lost, and to pray.
Joseph Scriven is the author of the poem, "Pray without Ceasing." Years after it was written, Charles Crozat Converse set the poem to music and titled the song, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." I have found a number of sites telling about Mr. Scriven's life. His story is definitely worth reading. If you have time, try to check out at least one of them:
I've listened to many renditions of this song this week. Some, that included all of the verses, didn't especially appeal to me. I'm not
a country music fan, so that eliminated a huge number of choices. I did find this performance by
Claire Holley that I hope you'll listen to for a couple of minutes:
She changes up the verses, and I really prefer the last verse the
way it was originally written. Still, her version is quite beautiful and possibly my favorite.
Mine
eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored.
He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on!
[chorus]
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory!
Hallelujah! His truth is marching on.
I have seen Him in the watch-fires
of a hundred circling camps;
They have builded Him an altar in the evening dews and damps.
I can read His righteous sentence by the dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on!
[chorus]
He has sounded forth the
trumpet that shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men before His judgment-seat;
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him! be jubilant, my feet!
Our God is marching on!
[chorus]
In the beauty of the lilies
Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom that transfigures you and me;
As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men free,
While God is marching on.
Whenever I hear this performance by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, I am always in awe by the end. I love it! Then I start thinking about my own experiences with "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." When Mom was directing the choir at our churches, she always selected this song, and this arrangement, to be sung the Sunday before the Fourth of July. Quite an undertaking for our little ol' choirs! There were at least twice as many women as men (maybe four or five men), which is probably common. Dad always joined the choir for the anthem. Mom made me start singing in the adult choir the day I graduated from sixth grade. I had to sing alto (I was a first soprano!), since I could read music. I always wondered why I should be punished that way, but that's just how it was (yes, I survived, Evan, Brett, and Bethany!).
Well, none of our choirs even remotely resembled the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. We always had a few women who could sing, a few who just liked to sing, and probably some who just wanted to help the choir have more bodies. The men, however, were sometimes a different story. Now, my dad could sing quite well, I just don't know if he read music. On songs like this one, with such a huge men's part, I think it made him a little nervous - that, and fearing the wrath of Carole if he messed things up. Mom would work with Dad at home on his part, knowing that the other men counted on him to lead their way.
On the big day, as Mom would begin playing the introduction, I would be a bit nervous myself, hoping the men would pull their part off without a major disaster. Mostly, because I knew I'd start laughing if they got lost, and I usually couldn't get control of myself to finish the song. Then it would be Dad and me, both, in Mom's doghouse. I don't remember a time that things ever got out of control, so if there were any problems, they must not have been too awful.
I don't have any recordings of these performances. It's a shame, really. I wish you could hear Mom play "The Battle Hymn" on the piano - it truly is awesome and spectacular! You can't hear the piano so well with the orchestra playing, but it's pretty huge. Mom does it perfectly.
This has been one of my favorite patriotic songs/hymns most of my life. When I was younger, I was moved by the music. As I've gotten older, I appreciate the words and the message as much as I do the music. If you get a chance, read the story of how Ms. Howe came to write "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." In your research, you might discover a few other interesting facts about her that surprise you.
"...O, to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be..."
I have wanted to begin a weekly series, if you will, on my favorite hymns. (It was to have begun yesterday, but the fireworks video took so much longer than I had anticipated. The result, obviously, of how things go when I try to think positively. Kidding! Not really, but....yeah.) I have enjoyed singing praise/worship songs and choruses for many years. In fact, I may have preferred them when I was a teenager. But, there have always been a number of hymns I love to sing, too. A few years ago, as churches began phasing out hymns AND hymnals - which frustrates me greatly - I longed for a way to keep these songs in my life. I have been so happy since iPod came out and have built up a pretty decent hymn library.
Years ago - and not that many...just a few, really - Joyce and I would sometimes go up to the church and play the piano. She took the right hand part, I took the left. We'd go through the hymnal and play our favorites. One that we liked the most was, "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing (words, Robert Robinson; music, Asahel Nettleton)." During Sunday night church services, my dad often asked for hymn requests. If one of us wasn't requesting, "Saved, Saved," it was "Come, Thou Fount." Every time. I know my dad cringed - he preferred variety.
There's an interesting line in the second verse: "Here I raise mine Ebenezer..." If memory serves (and sometimes it doesn't), Joyce's mom, Marge, said that she had to find out what that meant. She did, and then she explained it to us. I've looked around on the internet, and it turns out, she was right!! There is a whole discussion out there concerning "Ebenezer," and, in fact, the entire hymn. I'll start you out with three items that I found here, here, and here.
I found this David Crowder Band's performance on You Tube. I've had their version on my iPod for some time. It retains the original flavor, yet it is contemporary for the younger crowd.
Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
Come, Thou Fount of every blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace; Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise.
Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by flaming tongues above;
Praise the mount! I’m fixed upon it, Mount of Thy redeeming love.
Here I raise mine Ebenezer; Hither by Thy help I’m come; And I hope, by Thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wandering from the fold of God; He, to rescue me from danger, Interposed His precious blood.
O, to grace how great a debtor Daily I’m constrained to be!
Let thy goodness, like a fetter, Bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love; Here’s my heart, O, take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above.
Last night, I happened upon this version at iTunes sung by Lindsey Wallace:
I love it, except she has changed up the second verse - as many have - and I prefer to stick with the original. It frustrates me that it has been the choice of many to reword the second verse. I mean, even back in the day, it probably took Marge a few minutes to research the issue. I doubt she spent hours down at the library poring over a mountain of books. Still, Lindsey does a beautiful job, and I enjoy her arrangement.
My original intent for this record of hymns was just that - a list of favorites, mostly. I wasn't necessarily expecting that it would set me on a journey of learning about the writers and what was going on in their lives. Or, to learn about the music, itself, and what is special and important with how the tunes were selected or written. It's been especially good to read the words, the verse, to reflect on the message being conveyed. I hope you have time to go up and read through the hymn, again, and let the beauty and power of these lyrics touch your heart.
(Photos courtesy of Flickr. For a larger view, click here.)
The Church in the Wildwood
There's a church in the valley by the wildwood, No lovelier place in the dale; No spot is so dear to my childhood As the little brown church in the vale.
Chorus: (Oh, come, come, come, come,) Come to the church in the wildwood, Oh, come to the church in the dale; No spot is so dear to my childhood As the little brown church in the vale.
How sweet on a clear Sabbath morning, To list to the clear ringing bell; Its tones so sweetly are calling, Oh, come to the church in the vale.
Going to church as been a major part of my life since Day One. Most of my churches have been small. A couple of these churches were in the country, several were in small towns, and there have been a couple in large cities that have been pretty big. My mom has a painting of a country church that I've always thought was pretty. I think it was painted and given to her by Aunt Betty. I often think of that painting, and maybe that's why country church scenes are so special to me.
When I see or think about country churches, one of the songs that comes to mind is, "The Church in the Wildwood." We sang that at church from time to time. We've probaby sung it at all of my churches growing up, but when I hear it, I'm back in Haysville. And when I think of Haysville, I think of my friend, Joyce. We had a number of hymns we loved to sing. I'll have to write more about that later.
There are other hymns that I enjoy more than this one. There are many other hymns that have a good, strong gospel message. "The Church in the Wildwood" is more of a reminiscing song to me, and is perfect for listening to as I look at these old churches and think about growing up in small, wonderful churches. My kids have never heard it, of course, as hymn singing isn't so popular these days. No! I'm not going to go there. Not now, anyway.
The churches dear to my childhood: First Baptist Church of Greenwood (Shawnee, KS), West Haysville Baptist Church (Haysville, KS), and First Baptist Church of Norfolk (Norfolk, NE....Go Big Red!).
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