God's Growing Garden: Old Fashioned Sunday Hymn Sing #61

Sunday, March 4, 2018

Old Fashioned Sunday Hymn Sing #61

Welcome to the 61st Old Fashioned Sunday Hymn Sing!

I miss the old hymns that I remember from my childhood - there were no drums, no electric guitar and no mind numbing beat. It was just voices and maybe a piano or an organ. The choir led the congregation in singing - and the words of these hymns are poetic. I realize that there is a need for the modern "seeker oriented" worship music - but it is also necessary to have deeper songs (no offense intended to anyone who prefers the newer church songs).

I decided to have an "Old Fashion Sunday Hymn Sing" once a month on this blog.

I personally do NOT have a great singing voice - I used to play the guitar & piano but my voice is NOT an instrument. That's the great thing about this digital hymn sing, you can warble along without being embarrassed or without offending anyone else.

The hymns that we will be studying are taken from an old hymnal from a Baptist church that is no longer in existence - "The North American Hymnal" published in 1956 by "THE ROGER WILLIAMS PRESS"

I will also try to find a version of the featured hymn on "YouTube" to share with you each month.

Today's featured hymn is "In the Sweet By and By" written by Sanford F. Bennett (1836-1898)   & composed by Joseph F. Webster (1819-1875).
Sometimes with these old hymns, the musical composition comes years after the lyrics have been written but not so with today's feature hymn. Mr. Bennett and Mr. Webster were friends. Mr. Webster had issues with depression and on one occasion he walked into Mr. Bennett's office and immediately Sanford noticed that something was wrong. He asked Joseph if everything was okay and Joseph responded: "I will be all right by and by." Suddenly the lyrics to our featured hymn popped into Mr. Bennett's mind and this amazing hymn was created!
Please enjoy this beautiful hymn.

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."  John 4:1-4

I have included 2 versions of this wonderful hymn (below the lyrics). The first version is traditional, the second has a southern gospel swing. Enjoy!

Turn with me to number 539 in your hymnals and let's sing:

In the Sweet By and By

written by Sanford F. Bennett (1836-1898) & composed by Joseph F. Webster(1819-1875)

1. There's a land that is fairer than day, And by faith we can see it afar; For the Father waits over the way, To prepare us a dwelling place there
CHORUS

2. We shall sing on that beautiful shore The melodious songs of the blest, And our spirits shall sorrow no more, Not a sign for the blessing of rest.
CHORUS

3. To our bountiful Father above, We will offer our tribute of praise, For the glorious gift of His love, And the blessings that hallow our days.
CHORUS

Chorus

In the sweet          by and by         We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
                         In the sweet         by and by                                                  by and by
In the sweet          by and by         We shall meet on that beautiful shore.
                    In the sweet         by and by

A special thanks to "SE Samonte" for sharing this with us!

A special thanks to "Modern Trade" for sharing this with us!

Other Hymns on this blog:

Now Thank We All Our God
We Have Heard a Joyful Sound
Send the Light
The Call For Reapers
Safely Through Another Week
O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee
The Light of the World is Jesus
Stepping In the Light
I Am Thine, O Lord
Behold a Stranger at the Door
O God of Love! O King of Peace!

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