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The dynamic interaction of lyrics, music, and religious experience in southern gospel music comprises a cultural discourse evangelicals use, not to diminish experience in this world as is commonly argued in southern gospel studies, but to understand better Protestant theological doctrines in, and to make useable meaning out of, the vicissitudes ...
- Amazing Grace
- This Little Light of Mine
- Nobody Knows The Trouble I’ve Seen
- I’ll Fly Away
- Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
- Go Down Moses
- OH Happy Day
- Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Child
- He’S Got The Whole World in His Hands
- When The Saints Go Marching in
The soaring melody of “Amazing Grace” is truly amazing at conveying the song’s spiritual deliverance. This melody was originally called “New Britain,” but its authorship is disputed. The lyrics to “Amazing Grace” were written much earlier by John Newton in 1772, who was a slaver turned abolitionist. “Amazing Grace” became widely popular after Willi...
This is a cute song with a big reputation. While it’s often associated with children, and no one’s certain who wrote it, “This Little Light of Mine” has become an anthemic protest song. It had a strong presence during the 1960s Civil Rights movement, and was more recently used by counter-protesters during the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesvill...
Many gospel songs have their roots in the slavery era, and many enslaved people related with the plight of Hebrew slaves in the Old Testament. Freedom is often referenced in gospel songs, most obviously in “Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen” (first published in 1867 and then made famous by Louis Armstrong), “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” and “Go Down...
Albert Edward Brumley wrote “I’ll Fly Away” in 1932 and since then, it’s become one of the most recorded gospel songs ever, performed by everyone from Johnny Cash to Kanye West. It was also featured in the film O Brother, Where Art Thou? There’s even an I’ll Fly Away Foundation dedicated to engage children through music in honor of Brumley.
Another iconic gospel melody, “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” was first thought up by Wallace Willis, a freedman who was working at a Choctaw County school in Oklahoma. A minister overheard his words and melody, wrote it down, and sent it to the Jubilee Singers of Fisk University, who would make the song widely known through their American tours.
“Go Down Moses” first appeared in print in 1861, in an abolitionist newspaper called The National Anti-Slavery Standardunder the title “The Contrabands’ Freedom Hymn.” By then, it had been sung for years. This song has obvious connotations: enslaved people related with the enslaved Israelites in Egypt, and they saw their own anti-slavery leaders in...
“Oh Happy Day” was an 18th century hymn made popular by Grammy-winning Edwin Hawkins. It debuted in 1968 and became the first gospel song to cross over into the mainstream charts. The Edwin Hawkins Singers then won a Grammy in 1970 for best soul gospel performance. “Oh Happy Day” is also a memorable number sung by a young Ryan Toby in Sister Act 2.
Another classic made famous by the Fisk Jubilee Singers, “Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child” first appeared in Old Plantation Hymns by William Barton. The song expresses the despair experienced by many during the slavery era, where sometimes children wereseparated from their mothers. Indeed, gospel music is a testament to music’s ability to ...
You may have noticed that we often don’t know who — or what group of people — first wrote many gospel songs. “He’s Got the Whole World In His Hands” is one of these songs with a murky origin, but its first appearance is likely in Edward Boatner’s Spirituals Triumphant Old and New. Its simple, repetitive nature makes this a Sunday School favorite.
Louis Armstrong popularized “When the Saints Go Marching In” as we know it today. He played a livelier version of the song, which traditionally accompanied funerals. There is also an older hymn called “When the Saints Are Marching In,” but it soundscompletely different!
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Recently our pianist at church married and moved away, and I have stepped up to the plate, so to speak, and am now the pianist at our church. It's a small church and the congregation is very supportive, and I'm truely grateful to them for the support and opportunity.
Sep 19, 2023 · With its standard, “four male singers and a piano,” presentation, Southern gospel is also known as quartet music. While remaining mainly white, the genre began to embrace the musical styling of African-American gospel in 1960.
“Just A Closer Walk With Thee,” is the first song in the gospel piano lesson series. “The idea behind these piano lessons is to study one song at a time, and learn how to play all of the good stuff you hear - all of the seasonings and spices of Southern Gospel Piano included.”
Step 1: Identify the Basic Chord Progression. Step 2: Identify the Passing Chords. Step 3: Add the 7ths. Step 4: Add the Slip Notes. Step 5: Add the Money Notes. Step 6: Put It All Together. Bonus Section: Gospel Piano Improv. If you have been waiting for a sign to get started playing gospel piano, this just may be your answer!
