I’ll Fly Away

This hymn was written by Albert Edward Brumley Sr. in 1929. In an interview with Jim Gaskin, Albert told his story behind this song.  His family were cotton sharecroppers in the fields of Oklahoma.  One day while Brumley was in the fields picking cotton he was singing an old prison song called :If I Had Wings of an Angel" that was an old country song first recorded by Vernon Dalhart on October 3, 1924.  This song became the inspiration of one of the most sung gospel hymns with the words, "if he could pick the wings of an angel from these cold prison bars he would fly to the one he loves.  Brumley started the idea thought that could be adapted to the departure from this life and we could fly away from this prison.  He said he hung on to that thought for three years before he developed it into the song that was first published in 1932 and amazingly we are still singing it in our churches today with the hope that once this life is over we will fly away.  

William Brumley, Albert's father married a young woman for Illinois named Sarah Isabelle Williams on August 1898.  They were part of the one of the largest land run or land rush during that time where over 50,000 people traveled to Indian Territory that became known as Oklahoma.  With the hopes to purchase land to make a homestead which was first-arrival basis.  William and Sarah settled in southeastern Oklahoma as cotton sharecroppers until they had saved enough money to purchase their own land.  Albert was born on October 29, 1905 in Sequoyah, Oklahoma. Albert grew up in a Campbellite Protestant religious musical family with his dad playing the fiddle while his mother like to sing parlor songs. Besides picking and chopping cotton in the field Albert attended public school at Rock Island until the 10th grade.  Brumley was about sixteen years old when he started attending singing schools that lasted about three weeks. The teachers taught shape-note singing that were seven notes that had distinctive geometric shape that certain people can see the tune instead of just reading the notes.  These notes were primarily used in religious gospel songs.  It was during this time that Albert became interested in composing gospel songs.  

In 1926, Albert traveled to Hartford, Arkansas at the age of twenty with little money to enroll at the renowned publisher's Hartford Music Institute ran by E.M. Bartlett who took him in and gave him room and board which panned out great for Bartlett.  Later in 1927 Albert would publish his first song for Hartford and would become one of Hartford's finest staff songwriters.  Albert sang bass with the Hartford Quartet in 1929 actively singing and teaching in the Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas tri-state area.  

It was in 1931 when Albert married Goldie Schell and moved to Powell, Missouri where he settled for the rest of his life raising their six children.  He continued to composed and publish songs through the 1930's.  Several of his published songs became very popular nationwide and even world-wide with "I'll Fly Away" being one of his most recorded of all time.  Brumley and his sons purchased the Hartford Music Company in 1948 and is still controlled today by one of his sons in Powell Missouri.  Brumley also began the  Sundown to Sunup Gospel Sing in 1969 and now is known as the Brumley Gospel Sing in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  It is said that Brumley wrote over 800 songs in his lifetime and there are several I had no idea was written by the same composer.  Some of his other well known gospel songs are: Jesus Hold My Hand, Turn Your Radio On, If We Never Meet Again (This Side of Heaven), I'll Meet You in the Morning, and He Set Me Free.   What a legacy God used a little country cotton picker to ping some of the most beloved gospel songs throughout the 1900's and we are still singing them in the 2000's that encourages, brings hope, and joy to know we are just pilgrims journeying through this Land Run until we make our journey home. 

Albert Edward Brumley's journey in this world's prison bars were broken on November 15, 1977.  He flew away to a better land.  His body was laid to rest in Fox Cemetery on the outskirts of Powell Missouri.  This was not a goodbye but, "I'll Meet You on the Other Side. " 

The Garden of My Heart

 

This song was written by Joyce Reba Luttrell; better known as Dottie Rambo in 1974. Dottie was a nickname her mother Elizabeth started calling her and it just stuck.  She was born in Anton, Kentucky on March 2, 1934. She is the daughter of Vernon and Elizabeth Luttrell. She learned to play the guitar and started writing her own songs by the age of eight years old near her Kentucky home on a creek bank. She found inspiration from her grandfather who was a preacher.  She was twelve years old when she became a born again Christian and made a commitment to write and sing Christian songs.  She had to make a huge sacrifice as her father gave her the option to stop singing Christian music or move out.  She left home and went on the road singing in churches. When she was sixteen, she was at a revival meeting when she meet Buck Rambo and they got married shortly after.  They formed a trio called, "The Gospel Echoes" and traveled throughout various places in the US. In 1951 she had a daughter they named Reba and by 1964 Reba joined the group and they changed their name to "The Singing Rambos."  A governor of Louisiana heard one of her songs and flew her and her family to his mansion so that she could sing her songs for him.  He paid her to publish her songs and started promoting the songs in the 1960's that started her professional career in gospel music.  

Throughout her music career she has written over 2,500 songs that put her in the ranks with Fanny Crosby among the women who have had the greatest impact in gospel music. Several music icons have recorded her songs as well as songs being in movies.  Several of her songs are included in hymnals.  The best-known inspirational song and the biggest hit song is "He Looked Beyond My Fault and Saw My Need." Other well-known songs she has written "We Shall Behold Him,' 'If That Isn't Love,' 'Build My Mansion Next Door to Jesus,' 'To Much To Gain To Lose,' 'Remind Me Dear Lord,' 'Tears Will Never Stain the Streets of that City,' I've Never Been This Homesick Before.' 'I Go to the Rock,' "Troubles Just All Roll Away' and 'Somebody Prayed for Me.' This is just a few that I know and love myself. Many of her songs she is known for are referred to as valley songs.  What a God given talent and legacy to leave us with!  

She lost her life at the age of 74 on May 11, 2008, in a fatal bus accident when her tour bus ran off the highway near Mt. Vernon, Missouri on their way to a concert in Texas. Her going home celebration was held on May 19, 2008 with over 4,000 people in attendance at the Christ Church in Nashville, Tennessee, followed by her final resting place at Woodlawn's Cross Mausoleum in Nashville, Tennessee. 

Lyrics:

You made my heart a garden filled with flowers

And the green grass like a carpet 

Kissed by the morning dew.

You blessed the seeds of love I sow

Warmed my heart so they could grow.

Now shelter me in your arms Lord

'Cause a storm is passin' through.

Walk through the garden of my heart
and calm the storm, Lord. 

Less the pretty roses fail to bloom again.

You made the winds a gentle breeze.

Now let me feel your sunshine please, Lord

Walk through the garden of my heart.

I can bring the water to the roses

And plant the seeds of kindness

So the bitter weeds can't grow. 

But I can't cause the rain to fall

On the dry and thirsty soil. 

And I can't cal the storm of life 

Or the angry winds that blow. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOALiNSRfmw Posted by Mr. Scott 

from: The Rambos Album "Yours, Until He Comes" 1974

The Rambos Medley - Several Good Songs in one

"If You Ever Needed the Lord"

This hymn was written by an African American singer, songwriter and pianist by the name of Thomas Andrew Dorsey in 1943. Dorsey wrote so many classic gospel songs such as Take My Hand, Precious Lord, Peace in the Valley, The Old Ship of Zion, and On the Battlefield.   He is widely regarded as the father of gospel music that has touch of blues. He also organized the first Gospel Choir and the first gospel publishing house by an African American composer.  Dorsey going through long time of racial discrimination against him and his fellow blacks and his life's personal hardships he realized that all human beings needed the Lord which inspired him to compose this hymn.  

This post is inspired by a friend of mine, Newton Sindo, that reached out to me back in 2020 from Malawi, Africa who hosts a radio show on Trans World Radio called "Essence of Hymns where he also shares stories such as this one with his audience.  Trans World Radio has millions of listeners in Malawi and the surrounding countries such as Zambia and Mozambique he told me when he first introduced himself to me.  It was a true blessing to know that he is sharing our stories with so many people. Who knew how God would use this journal to share with so many people.  In this moment I needed this reminder that if I ever needed the Lord before, I sure do need Him now.  I need him at all times no matter what we are going through or how life is going we need Him.  

Thomas A. Dorsey was born in Villa Ricca, Georgia on July 1, 1899, to Rev. Thomas M. and Etta P. "Spencer" Dorsey.  Music and religion were part of Dorsey's young life growing up as his father was a Baptist preacher and his mother was a piano teacher. His family moved to Atlanta Georgia when he was eight years old where he eventually dropped out of school while in the fourth grade at the age of 12.  It is here where he learned to play blues on the piano.  He later moved to Chicago where he first composed his own copyright song in 1920 making him one of the first musicians to copyright the blues this is when he was best known as Georgia Tom.  He battled depression until he received deliverance after a minister prayed for him while attending a church service with his sister-in-law. He called this God's interruption, and his mother often advised him to choose God's music over the devil's.  He then turned his focus to serving the kingdom of God. 

While traveling he received news that his wife and child passed away in 1931 and this is when he penned his most famous hymn "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" for the memorial service.  In 1932 he co-founded the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses an organization dedicated to training singers and musicians from all over the nation. Dorsey wrote Peace in the Valley for Mahalia Jackon in 1937.  He re-married in 1940 to Kathryn Mosely, and they had two children of their own.  He was the music director at Chicago's Pilgrim Baptist Church for 50 years.  Dorsey spent time on tour marketing his songs and became a successful Black music publisher.  His music has been sung by many famous singers and has had many numbers one gospel hits.  He was the first African American to be elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and the first in the Gospel Music Association's Living Hall of Fame.  Dorsey died of Alzheimer's at his home in Chicago on January 23, 1993, but he sure left a legacy of so many wonderful hymn's that continues to bless so many today.    

Lyrics:

If we ever needed the Lord before

My Lord, we sure do need Him now

O, we sure do need Him now

My Lord, I say

We sure do need Him now

O, glory!

If we ever needed the Lord before

My Lord, we sure do need Him now

We need him every day and every hour

We need Him in the mornin'

We need Him in the night

We need Him at the noonday

When the sun is shining bright

If we ever needed the Lord before

My Lord, we sure do need Him now

O, we sure do need Him now

My Lord, I say

We sure do need Him now

O, glory!

If we ever needed the Lord before

I know we sure do need Him now

We need Him every day and every hour

We need Him when we're burdened

We need Him when we're sad

We need Him when we're happy

And when our hearts are glad

If we ever needed the Lord before

My Lord, we sure do need Him now

O, we sure do need Him now

My Lord, I say

We sure do need Him now

O, glory!

If we ever needed the Lord before

I know we sure do need Him now

We need Him every day and every hour

The King's Messenger Quartet 1969

Quartet Style 2006

Ain’t No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down

Ain’t No Grave was written by Rev Claude Ely in 1934.  Claude Daniel Ely was born on July 22, 1922 and was the first born child to Daniel and Daisy (Cooper) Ely in Puckett’s Creek, Lee County, Virginia. At the age of 12, Claude contracted  tuberculosis and was not expected to live long. While sick in bed Claude’s uncle gave him a Sear’s catalog ordered guitar.  Claude had stated that his uncle brought in the guitar and laid it across his chest while he was sick in bed.  He said that it was by the hand of God that his fingers began to play the chords and that a voice came in his mouth to sing. His family gathered around him and prayed for his healing one day. God wasn’t done with this young man just yet.  Claude told his family he wasn’t going to die and he began singing a song he wrote in response to his death sentence, Ain’t No Grace Gonna Hold My Body Down. Claude received a miracle that day and he never stopped playing his guitar and singing from that day forward. 

Claude's great-grandparents moved their family to the Appalachian region from Ely, England. Claude's dad, Daniel meet and married Daisy Cooper in 1920.  They attended the Pucketts Creek Baptist Church which was the only church at that time.  There was a Pentecostal movement sweeping through the Appalachian Mountains by 1921 and it was Daisy who had also grown-up Baptist, started going to these gatherings.  She had attended one of their prayer meetings when she stated that God had put fire in her bones and she began to speak in tongues and hollering and dancing that alarmed Daniel so bad that he locked her in the house afraid he might catch whatever got ahold of her. It was at an all night prayer meeting while Daisy was testifying what God had done for her when the spirit fell on her again this time Daniel was filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak in tongues.  It was just a few months later that Daniel and Daisy had their first child who they named Claude.  

Claude had been given his death sentence by a doctor who told him he would not survive.  Bro Claude Ely would later tell his story that a week later he felt the pains as they left his chest and body and he turned on his side and went to sleep. It was during this time that he was introduced to music as he heard someone playing a harmonica, he asked for it when they gave it to him he began playing music on that harp.  His uncle ordered a guitar and gave it to him, God gave him the ability to play and sing.  His family gathered around him in prayer and not only did Claude survive his death sentence he was healed.  This was seen as a miracle by everyone in their region.  It was through this time that God had given a 12 year old sick boy the words to one of the greatest songs that still to this day impacts the lives of so many believers, There Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down.  

Growing up Claude did not go to high school, and it is said that he couldn’t read better than first grader.  In his late teens he went to work in the coal mines of Harlan Kentucky the place where his father was born.  He worked the coal mines until he voluntarily joined the military on December 11, 1942, during World War II and served until December 1, 1945.  It was during the war he began exchanging letters with a redhead named Rosey who was a sister to one of his friends.  After the war ended in 1945, Claude went back to the coal mines of Kentucky. He married Rosey and by 1946 they had their first child. Returning back home Claude had been baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire and had felt the call of God to go full-time in the ministry but was worried about his new family and how he would support them.  However, an accident at the coal mine that caused a cave to collapse where God rescued Claude once again from the grip of death as he was rescued.  This convinced Claude that his life had been spared once again and by the spring of 1947 he had become an ordained minister at the Holiness Church in Stoney Fork, Kentucky that would begin his 30-year career in the ministry of spreading the gospel. He would go on to preach and sing his heart out throughout the region, held tent revivals, in barns, on local radio stations, and hosted a Sunday show called the Gospel Ranger Show in 1953. It is probably how he earned his nickname as the Gospel Ranger.That was the same year the King records recorded "Ain't No Grave" and helped Bro Claude copyright the song making him known as the first Pentecostal Singer to be recorded on an album.  They recorded his live tent revivals and later an album. Even though he pastored several churches, he is best known for his holding revivals throughout the South then later across the country.  He pastored churches in Grundy, Virginia, Florence, Kentucky, and for the last 13 years of his life he would pastor a church in Newport, Kentucky called Charity Tabernacle Church.  It was on a Sunday at Charity Tabernacle Church on May 7, 1978, Bro Ely held a revival with evangelist Bro. Maynard Banks.  Bro Banks called on Bro Ely to sing "Where Could I Go but to the Lord".  While playing the organ and singing this song Bro Ely had a major heart attack halfway through the song and passed away in front of the packed out church house. Although he was taken from this world that day he sure left a legacy that many have followed till this day.  Many people came to know the Lord and was filled with the Holy Ghost and Fire that had called this man into the ministry.  That song is still known throughout Pentecostal Church's across the country and beyond. It holds a promise that There Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold this Body Down when Jesus calls us out of here to be with him in the clouds.  

Back in the 90’s I had a cassette recorder and every Sunday I would record songs so I could play them in my car throughout the week.  This song was one of my favorite songs in church.  I heard Karen Wheaton sing this in a different version where the beginning was slower at first but then all of a sudden the hand clappen and foot stompen version kicked in.  I would sing and play my pre-recorded cassette tape of this song while driven my 1989 Chrysler Laser with all the windows open. I don’t know how many times I rewound that tape just to play it over again.  Music and singing has been therapy for me while dealing with my unimaginable life during that period of time. I am so thankful that God hand picked me to be where I am today and to know who He is and to know that I am a Child of the King.  

 

YouTube Video's of Ain't No Grave Gonna Hold My Body Down 

Claude Ely singing Ain't No Grave during one of his tent revivals that was recorded live.  The whole version of that service can also be found on YouTube.

 

This is more of our version of singing this older song today.  

        

 Karen Wheaton's version of Ain't No Grave that I would record to play in my car. 

     

I Have A Friend on Whom I Can Depend

The search begins. We have another mystery.  I received a request about this song from a fellow brother in Canada. They sing this song in their church for many years, but have no idea where it came from. I love research, but haven't had much luck with the title, "I Have a Friend."  Every search is flooded with, "What a Friend We Have In Jesus." Although I love that song; it is not the one we are searching for. He has worked very hard in getting the verses they sing.  I would love it if someone out there might know anything about this song. 

Lyric's:

Verse 1:

In a dark and troubled land

Men are searching for a plan

They’re looking for an experience that is real

Living in a world of make believe

If only they could see

There is a friend on whom they can depend

I have a friend on whom I can depend 

He has delivered me from all of my sin 

I call His name 

He always remains the same 

I have a friend on whom I can depend. 

Verse 2:

You must repent of your sins

Be baptized and born again

If you intend to inherit the kingdom of God

Then at the judgement you'll see

A friend He'll always be

There is a friend on whom they can depend

I have contacted a hint of whom they may have heard sing this song, and I am currently following up on that lead. I have contacted a church in Georgia who's pastor used to evangelize that possibly sung this song. I sure hope to hear back from them. This has sparked my interest and will update as information comes in. This is a song mystery to be solved. If you have any information please share. I would love to solve this mystery and uncover the songwriter.  Keep a look out for updates. 

God Bless!!!

Ever Gentle Ever Sweet

This song was written by Steve Adams, an American songwriter, organist, and pianist. This song was recorded by Doug Oldham and the Gaithers and
copyright in 1971 by Dimension Music. Stephen Robert Adams was born in 1943 in Woonsocket, Rhode Island and is the son of Nathan and Mary Adams.  He was raised in parsonages in New England and Indiana as his father was a Nazarene Pastor for more than 25 years.  Steve and his brother Nate were singing on network radio before they were school age.  Adams even began studying music at the age of 7.  A Nazarene pastor's wife named, Rita Rundlett was his piano instructor. By the time he was 13 he had felt the call of God to be a music writer.  He composed his first song while attending the Portsmouth, Rhode Island Camp.  In 1960 he was the organist at the church his father pastored.   

After recording this hymn in 1971, Adams began accompanying Doug Oldham in 1973.  He married Janet "Jane" and they have two sons.  The next seven years he became a full time minister of the music in Xenia, Ohio.  It is here where he survived a devastating tornado in April 1974.  He ran from his car after seeing the funnel cloud into a nearby furniture store where he hid under a sofa he overturned.  His son Craig recounts his father's story saying it took his dad over an hour to slowly pull enough rubble towards him to make a hole big enough to escape.  He went back couple day later with his pastor and found out the National Guard had been digging for him and that everyone else in that store that day had been found dead.  His pastor told him, "God doesn't promise to take us out of the storms of life.  He does promise, however, that he will be right in the middle of them with us. From this disaster he wrote the song "Peace in the Midst of the Storm." as that is what Adams had described during that moment of time.  As if this wasn't bad enough, in that same year he had an allergic reaction to propane gas from his trailer that took his voice for the next two and a half years.  He regained his voice one night while traveling as an accompanist with Doug Oldham.  

New update: I have been blessed to be able to not only correspond with his son Craig; I have also been able to correspond with Steve Adams himself.  He said there was no big inspiration with this song like there was with "Peace in the Midst of the Storm." He says most of his songs came from the result of life situations and religious experiences.  Sometimes they are momentary inspiration such as the song, "Where the Spirit of the Lord Is" which he wrote while playing an invitation in a local church.  He simply said he wants the Lord to sing His songs through him.  It was an honor to be able to hear from him and hope this blessed him as well as others.  

Lyrics:

His love is like a rolling river

A clear and cool retreat

Flowing on and calm and beauty

Gentle, ever sweet

Ever gentle, ever sweet

Gentle, ever sweet

His love is like a rolling river

Gentle, ever sweet

His love is like an April shower

With a steady beat

Sprinkling drops of joy and beauty

Gentle, ever sweet

Ooohh

His love is like an April Shower

Gentle, ever sweet

His love is like a wind that's whispering

Softly through the breeze

Scattering the seeds of beauty

Gentle, ever sweet

Ever gentle, ever sweet

Gentle, ever sweet

His love is like a wind that's whispering

Gentle, ever sweet

Gentle, ever sweet

Gentle, ever sweet

Gentle, ever sweet

Ever gentle, ever sweet

Gentle, ever sweet

His love is like a wind that's whispering

Gentle, ever sweet

Gentle, ever sweet

Gentle, ever sweet

More modern sweet version by the Collingsworth Family

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCesi0bZ_Mw9sRzBjUIIR3Vw

                                                                                                                                                                          

Other songs written by Stephen R Adams

Peace in the Midst of the Storm

Found Steve and son Craig singing this song together

uploaded on April 26, 2020 by Oakland Church of the Nazarene

This song is one of my favorites as I have seem some very strong storms in my lifetime. Some I wasn't sure I was going to make it out of at the time.  All I knew to do was hang on to the anchor for dear life and wait out the storm.  

Where the Spirit of the Lord Is

Found a CD Album of Steve Adams and his two sons

Sources: 

https://songselect.ccli.com/Search/Results?List=contributor_P400042_Stephen%20R.%20Adams http://composers-classical-music.com/a/AdamsStephenR.htm

https://www.whdl.org/sites/default/files/publications/1991-07%20HOH%20Vol%2080%20No%2007.pdf

Brother Steve Adams himself email correspondence.  I appreciate the information and pictures.

Come Morning

Come Morning was written by Dee Gaskin in 1978. 

It became the Rex Nelon Singers number 1 hit from their 1979 album called, Feelings.  It spent three non consecutive months from June-October of 1980 at #1. Dee has wrote many hit songs in her lifetime and is known world wide.  She was nominated in 1980 for the DOVE Award, and won the Fan Award at the National Quartet Convention. Her songs have been recorded by artist such as the Hoppers, the Nelons, Dixies Echoes, and the Isaacs among many others.  She also started her own record company, Dee Light Music in Nashville, Tennessee.  

Dee Gaskins came to know the Lord at the age of sixteen at an old-time Missionary Baptist church meeting as she testified at a tent revival held by Faith's Baptist Church in the same neighborhood where she lives. 

I have sung this in church so many times through my lifetime.  I first heard this song as a child through family while on a radio broadcast in a little radio station in Marked Tree, Ar.  I have been longing for heaven's green shore for thirty years now.  Jesus was the best decision I have ever made and has provided a structure and good life for me and my family while we are still on this earth.  I know what it is like to be despised and rejected, but when I look at Mt. Calvary I know I was never alone, and it gives me the strength to keep carrying that cross through the dark times.  It is so good to know that there is coming a day where there is glory for me.  God Bless.

Lyrics

I.
God's children too long have been burdened
They are longing for Heaven's green shore
Where heartaches are left far behind us
And burdens are carried no more.

Chorus
Come morning, I'll walk by the river
And I'll rest 'neath the evergreen tree.
So, I'll carry my cross through the midnight.
Come morning there's glory for me.

II.
Sometimes I'm despised and rejected
And I question oh Father, how long?
Then I'll take one more look at Mt. Calvary,
Then it gives me the strength to go on.

The Nelons Live

Other songs written or co-written by Dee Gaskins:

The Sun's Coming Up, The McKamey's 1971 "At Home" record

I Just Want to Thank You The Inspirations

Lord You've Been Mighty Good to Me
He's Still God

This is literally all the information I have been able to find on Dee Gaskins.  If you know or come across anything more, please feel free to email me or leave a comment below. 

Resources:
https://www.thenelons.com/
Lyrics   http://www.pine-net.com/~joanbab/comemrng.htm
Sheet Music Guitar http://guitarvideochords.com/gospel%20music/Come_morning.html
https://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0062824
https://books.google.com/books?id=GgoEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA37#v=onepage&q&f=false
https://sogospelbackrow.wordpress.com/page/138/?wref=bif
https://www.discogs.com/The-Rex-Nelon-Singers-Feelings/release/12389495

Picture found in issue of gospelsongwriter.com in Fall 2011 featuring Dottie Rambo

Enduring Faith - Faith Missionary Baptist Churchwww.faithchurchnashville.com › uploads › faith_baptist