I love researching the history or origins of many things, and yesterday the idea came to me to find out the history of some of my old favorite songs. I am posting this blog, because in my search I found that others have this same passion and were having a hard time finding the answers. I hope this blog helps everyone in the search of answers for their questions as well. If you have any information not listed and would like to contribute you may contact me at sylviam.clemons@gmail.com.
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.
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
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.
