Hymns - Play along

Subject: Learn and Play Old Hymns
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 08 Aug 10 - 11:37 PM

My main musical project this summer has been posting on Youtube an old (before 1915) hymn each week with "pop-up" chords included for those who'd like to play along. They include some instructions for playing autoharp, but the chords work for whatever instrument(s) you might want to play. Here is a list of what's up so far:

My Savior's Love (I Stand Amazed in the Presence)

Palms of Victory

Just Over In the Glory-Land

Footsteps of Jesus

Jesus Loves Even Me

The Haven of Rest

This Is My Father's World

Down at the Cross

God Leads Us Along

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Will Fly
Date: 09 Aug 10 - 04:51 AM

Thanks for the info, Nathan. I'm not in any way religious but I do love some of the old hymn tunes.

I also have one or two on YouTube as guitar pieces - but only one with some instruction on how to play ("Melita") attached:

Melita ["Eternal Father, Strong To Save"]

Bethany ["Nearer My God To Thee"]

What A Friend we Have in Jesus

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 09 Aug 10 - 09:09 AM

Thanks, Jim, what great resources you have up, both on Youtube and your website. I'll be spending time on both places.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 15 Aug 10 - 03:45 PM

I've Anchored in Jesus, written by Lewis E.Jones in 1901, is the play along Hymn of the Week for August 15, 2010

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 22 Aug 10 - 08:32 PM

Come Unto Me, written by Charles P. Jones in 1910, is the play along "Hymn of the Week" for August 22, 2010.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 09:06 AM

Said to be Uncle Dave Macon's favorite hymn, How Beautiful Heaven Must Be is the play along "Hymn of the Week" for August 22, 2010. Words by Mrs. A. S. Bridgewater, Music by A. P. Bland. I haven't been able to find when this was written. If you know, please post. Thanks!

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Aug 10 - 11:04 AM

What a neat idea!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 12 Sep 10 - 10:31 PM

"A Child of the King", written in 1877 by Harriett E. Buell, music by John B. Sumner, is the Hymn of the Week for Septembr 12, 2010

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Sep 10 - 11:43 PM

Good choice! I want to learn that one, thanks!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 19 Sep 10 - 09:03 AM

The Hymn of the Week for September 19, 2010, is "Rescue the Perishing," written in 1869, one of the over 8,000 hymns written by blind hymn writer Fanny Crosby.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: wysiwyg
Date: 19 Sep 10 - 11:22 AM

For fun, try that one some time in 3/4. It swings along right nice.

Looks like a fun group to make music with, BTW, which of course you want to be modeling for watchers?

~S~

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 19 Sep 10 - 03:52 PM

Good point, Susan. I think there are a lot of people who lament because they have no one to play with, when actually, there are folks all around who would love to make music with them if they only would ask. Yesterday I received a package in the mail and told the mailman (lady!) it was a banjo. She asked if I knew the man down the street who plays banjo, mandolin, etc., and suggested we get together. I didn't, but will soon. When it happens, I'll include him in a video.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 18 Oct 10 - 04:05 PM

The Hymn of the Week for October 17, 2010, is A Shelter in the Time of Storm, written in 1880 by Vernon J. Charlesworth, with music by Ira D. Sankey in 1885.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: GUEST,Ebor Fiddler
Date: 18 Oct 10 - 06:37 PM

I love Moody and Sankey and use their stuff whenever I can. The congregation don't seem to mind. We get a good sing and praise God. As it's around Harvest Festival time (in the UK anyway), how about "Bringing In The Sheaves"?

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 18 Oct 10 - 09:54 PM

Thanks! I'll try to do that one soon.
Nathan

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 23 Oct 10 - 08:05 PM

The Hymn of the Week for October 24, 2010 is Anchored in Love Divine. Written in 1911 by James Rowe (lyrics) and James Vaughn (music) it was recorded by Carter Family and probably endures because of their influence.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 24 Oct 10 - 09:28 AM

"Anchored In Love: An Intimate Portrait Of June Carter Cash" is the biography of June by her son, John Carter Cash.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 08 Nov 10 - 07:08 AM

The Hymn of the Week for November 7 is
Bringing in the Sheaves written by Knowles Shaw in 1874. Knowles wrote the words and also wrote music to accompany them, but his music didn't endure. The music sung today was written in 1880 by George A. Minor.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 14 Nov 10 - 10:36 PM

The Hymn of the Week for November 15 is Amazing Grace, written in 1779 by John Newton. The tune is "New Brittain" from the Virginia Harmony, 1831.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 21 Nov 10 - 10:27 PM

The Hymn of the Week for November 21 is
Daniel in the Lions' Den , also know as "Lord Won't You Come By Here." Recorded by the Norfolk Jubilee Quartette in 1927.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Nov 10 - 11:35 PM

Like Will Fly, I am not religious in anyway, but I do enjoy hearing the old songs, esp. as I know my mom knew some of them. Thanks, Nathan, for sharing.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 07:24 AM

This week's hymn is a carol from the 12th Century,
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel .

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 28 Dec 10 - 06:19 PM

Written in 1896, "I Am Resolved" is this week's play and sing-along hymn.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Dec 10 - 03:30 PM

Missed a BUNCH, great offertories to plumb!

~S~

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 02 Jan 11 - 01:54 PM

The first play and sing-along "Hymn of the Week" for 2010 is
"The Hallelujah Side"   written in 1898.
Chords and lyrics included.
Guitar, Banjo, Autoharp.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 09 Jan 11 - 02:13 PM

January 9, 2010, Hymn of the Week is An Old Account Settled, also called "The Old Account Was Settled Long Ago." Written in 1902 by Frank M. Graham, it has been recorded by The Blue Sky Boys, Doc Watson, Johnny Cash, and many others.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 27 Jan 11 - 10:11 PM

Previous two posts should have said 2011!
This week's hymn is Nearer, My God, to Thee lyrics by Sarah F. Adams in 1840; music by Lowell Mason, 1856, and perhaps most famously played by the band on the Titanic in its last hours.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 27 Jan 11 - 10:19 PM

Just seeing this now, Nathan. What a cool idea! Love the pop-up chords!

Dani

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 27 Jan 11 - 10:49 PM

Thanks! I've started using lines of the lyrics with the chords above, rather than the "pop-up" as it seems easier to follow.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 09:37 AM

Clawhammer banjo for this week's hymn,
"The Unclouded Day" written ca. 1880 by Rev. J. K. Alwood.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: topical tom
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 10:47 AM

1.GOING UP HOME TO LIVE IN GREEN PASTURES
2.WILL THERE BE ANY STARS IN MY CROWN?

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 03 Feb 11 - 12:53 PM

tom:
Thanks for the suggestions. I'm trying to stick to public domain songs, so probably won't do "Green Pastures," written in 1963. However, I'll try to get to "Will There Be Any Stars?" sometime soon. An EmmyLou Harris fan?

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 10:57 AM

love the vids-esp the instrumental takes.the wife is asking for"are you washed in the blood".she has fond memories of her dad singing it,who went home to glory when she was only 11.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: topical tom
Date: 04 Feb 11 - 04:30 PM

Yes, Nathan, I am an EmmyLou Harris fan, but I like most the Cox Family version of "Will There be any Stars in my Crown".

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 05 Feb 11 - 08:53 PM

# 26 is Where We'll Never Grow Old written in 1914 by
James Cleveland Moore (1888-1962), a Baptist minister. The old hymnals include "Dedicated to My Mother and Father" as a subtitle. Moore was 26 years old when he wrote the song. He wrote, according to his estimate, over 500 songs, but this is his best-known. Autoharp & Vocal.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 12 Feb 11 - 07:08 PM

#27 is
"The Glory-Land Way" written by James Samuel Torbett (1868-1940).

Instrumentation: piano,clawhammer banjo, ukulele, and harmonica.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 19 Feb 11 - 10:17 PM

This week's hymn, played on autoharp, guitar, piano & harmonica is "He Brought Me Out" written in 1898. Verses by Henry J. Zelley, chorus and music by Henry L. Gilmour.

Gilmour also wrote the music to Hymn of the Week #4, "The Haven of Rest," (above)

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 26 Feb 11 - 09:40 PM

This week's offering, featuring mandolin, guitar, harmonica & piano, is "Life's Railway to Heaven" Words by M.E. Abbey; Music Charles D. Tillman, 1890.

Cyberhymnal says of the song; "The or­i­gin of this song is murky. Eliza R. Snow may have writ­ten the orig­in­al lyr­ics, with M. E. Ab­bey (a Bap­tist min­is­ter in Georg­ia in the 1890s) sup­ply­ing the chor­us. There is a sim­i­lar po­em/hymn by Snow, called "Truth Re­flects upon Our Sens­es," which Till­man put to this same tune in 1909. At any rate, Ab­bey and Till­man co­py­right­ed "Life's Rai­lway to Heav­en" in 1890. It has long been a fa­vo­rite in the rail­road­ing com­mun­i­ty."

Long Steel Rail: The Railroad in American Folksong by Norm Cohen (University of Illinois, 1981) adds the following information:

The lyrics are modeled after a poem by William Shakespeare Hays, who wrote such standards as "The Little Old Log Cabin in the Lane," and "Molly Darling" and "The Drummer Boy of Shiloh."
Hays' poem (published in 1886) begins:


Life is like a crooked railroad,
And the engineer is brave,
Who can make a trip successful
From the cradle to the grave,
There are stations all along it,
Where at almost any breath
You'll be "flagged" to stop your engine
By the messenger of death.
You may run the grades of trouble,
Many days and years of ease,
But time may have you side-tracked
By the switchmen of disease.
You may cross the bridge of manhood,
Run the tunnel dark of strife,
Having God for your conductor
On the lightning train of life.
Always mindful of instructions
Watchful duty never lack;
Keep your hand upon the throttle
And your eye upon the track.


The earliest known recording is on an Edison cylinder by Edward Allen and Charles Hart about 1918.

"A grim hint of the turn-of-the-century popularity of 'Life's Railway to Heaven' occurs in Gene Fowler's account of the 1902 trial of Tom Horn of Cheyenne for the murder of Willie Nickell. Charlie and Frank Irwin, two friends of Tom, offer to sing him a last song as he waits at the gallow to be hanged. Horn requests 'Keep Your Hand upon the Throttle and Your Eye upon the Rail,' and the brothers oblige with two and a half stanzas, close to the original Abbey-Tillman text." (p. 615)

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 06 Mar 11 - 08:12 PM

This week's hymns are a couple of Sunday School songs,
"Do Lord" and "This Little Light of Mine,"
played first on banjo and then on autoharp.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 20 Mar 11 - 04:17 PM

This week's hymn, "No, Not One!" , was written in 1895 by Johnson Oatman, Jr., with music by George C. Hugg. Instruments include guitar, autoharp, and fiddle.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 26 Mar 11 - 06:53 PM

The lyrics for this week's play-along hymn,
"The Lily of the Valley,"   were written by Charles Fry in 1881. He took its melody from "Little Old Log Cabin In the Lane" written by William Shakespeare Hays in 1871. The tune was also used for many parodies such as "Little Old Sod Shanty on My Claim" and "The Little Red Caboose Behind the Train," as well as for the cowboy song "Little Joe, the Wrangler,"

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Mar 11 - 11:42 AM

Can anyone suggest or help with getting these onto a DVD or VHS (I lack the tools) for the developmentally disabled member of our band's practice time? (He lacks puder access and is not going to be getting one.)

~Susan

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 27 Mar 11 - 11:56 AM

Thank you, excellent teaching aid and fun too, perhaps some non religious songs too?

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 28 Mar 11 - 07:18 AM

Susan,
I'll look into it. I could burn the original videos onto a CD, but I add the lyrics and chords after the songs are uploaded onto Youtube, so the originals wouldn't be that helpful. I have been spammed by ads purporting to allow you to record Youtube videos, so it's probably possible.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Mr Happy
Date: 28 Mar 11 - 08:36 AM

Like others above [not that above!] I'm not religious but also find many hymn tunes too good to be closeted in church.

Lately, I've included 'See amid the winter snow' on melodeon as part of my repertoire.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 01 May 11 - 05:37 PM

The hymn of the week for May 1 is "I Feel Like Traveling On" , written some time in the 19th century. Played on clawhammer banjo and guitar.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 08 May 11 - 10:06 PM

Nothing like a little Beethoven on the autoharp! This week's hymn is
"Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee."

Words by Henry van Dyke, 1907
Music by Ludwig van Beethoven, adapted by Edward Hodges, 1824.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 16 May 11 - 07:21 AM

Billy Sunday's theme song and the favorite gospel song of the first half of the twentieth century, "Brighten the Corner Where You Are," played onUkulele and autoharp, is the play-along hymn for the week for May 15.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 16 May 11 - 10:58 AM

never heard that lovely old song before.thanks for posting.
addition of the sheet music useful too.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 17 May 11 - 07:24 PM

Thanks, Pete.
It's surprising that the song is not more well-known, as it was so immensely popular world-wide for 40 years or so.

Most of the hymns listed in this thread now have the sheet music available at my website www.music-folk-play-hymns.com , and I'm adding more almost daily.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 21 May 11 - 10:43 PM

Hymn for May 22 was written in 1819. "Brethren, We Have Met to Worship ," on clawhammer banjo & guitar. Sheet music also available on the site.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 28 May 11 - 04:29 PM

This hymn for May 29, 2011, played on autoharp and guitar, is ""Leaning on the Everlasting Arms"," written in 1887. Video, hymn story, and sheet music including autoharp melody chords, included.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 06 Jun 11 - 07:20 PM

George F. Root, composer of many Civil War standards, including "The Vacant Chair," "The Battle Cry of Freedom," "Just Before the Battle, Mother," and "Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!" wrote the music to this week's children's hymn, "When He Cometh" played here on autoharp.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 12 Jun 11 - 11:39 PM

This week's hymn is
"This World Is Not My Home."   Played on the banjo here, this is somewhat of a standard among folkies - recorded by many, including the Carter Family, Mainer's Mountaineers, The Monroe Brothers, and parodied by Woody Guthrie. Add it to your repertoir! Play-along video, lyrics, chords, and sheet music included.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Jun 11 - 11:02 PM

My mother used to sing one called Follow The Gleam. You can find it in Rise up Singing.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 15 Jun 11 - 10:25 PM

That's a new one to me. Hadn't heard it before. According to Cyberhymnal
Hel­en Hill Mill­er won the 1920 Sil­ver Bay Prize at Bryn Mawr Col­lege, Penn­syl­van­ia, for the lyrics to "Follow the Gleam".

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 18 Jun 11 - 09:44 PM

"I Would Not Be Denied," written ca. 1900 by African American pastor Charles P. Jones, is the hymn of the week for June 19, 2011. Played on autoharp.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 19 Jul 11 - 11:00 PM

"Will the Circle Be Unbroken" is a good example of the folk process on a hymn. The original, written in 1907 bears little resemblance to the one sung today. Check it out on the hymn of the week, this time featuring clawhammer banjo and guitar.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 24 Jul 11 - 04:24 PM

"Revive Us Again" is this week's hymn, played on autoharp and guitar.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 13 Aug 11 - 05:52 PM

"O Worship the King" , a flute and autoharp instrumental, is this week's hymn.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 22 Aug 11 - 11:29 AM

Uncle Dave Macon recorded this one in 1930. "Heavenly Sunlight" was written in 1899. Frailing banjo.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 24 Sep 11 - 02:59 PM

"God Be With You Till We Meet Again" is a great tune to play when you're leaving a jam, closing out the set, ending a festival, or any time you're saying good-bye musically.


"Stepping in the Light" was written by Eliza Hewitt who also wrote such favorites as "When We All Get to Heaven," and "Will There Be any Stars in My Crown?"

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 07 Nov 11 - 01:56 PM

This week's hymn
"There Shall Be Showers of Blessings" was written in 1893 by Daniel Whittle with music by James McGranahan. Frailing banjo.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 12:24 PM

Thanks for the song and the interesting history.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 04:22 PM

ditto the above.have missed your posts.i try some of the songs and if i knew how to do it i would take up your invitation to post my own efforts.-pete

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 01 Jan 12 - 10:42 AM

"The Home Over There", written in 1873, is the latest offering on the Music Folk website. Played on banjo and autoharp. Lyrics and chords on video, so join and and play along. Sheet music and tab free on site.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Jan 12 - 11:01 AM

How cool is THAT!

~S~

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 19 May 12 - 10:38 AM

Haven't updated this lately, so here are the hymns added since last post.

"Throw Out the Lifeline" composed in 1888 by Reverend Edward Smith Ufford, a Baptist minister, and recorded by such diverse artists as Ella Fitzgerald, Burl Ives, the Wilburn Brothers, Mahalia Jackson, and Shirley Caesar.

"Send the Light!" is one of the over 8,000 hymns written by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel (1856-1932).

"Church in the Wildwood"

"The Christian's Goodnight" Also known as "I Bid You Goodnight," and "Lay Down My Dear Brother," Jerry Garcia often sang this as the closing song in Grateful Dead concerts.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: GUEST,pete from seven stars link
Date: 19 May 12 - 04:30 PM

nice to see you back.i shall try the good night one at session.
should please the gratefol dead fan. pete

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 01 Jun 12 - 05:18 PM

This week's hymn is
"I Must Tell Jesus" written in 1893. Performed on piano, guitar, mandolin, and harmonica.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 10 Jun 12 - 08:14 AM

Written in 1885, "Bring Them In" is played on piano, guitar, autoharp, and harmonica.

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 18 Jun 12 - 09:42 AM

"The Beautiful Garden of Prayer", written in 1920, is this week's hymn. Played on fiddle, ukulele, autoharp, & guitar. Sheet music and tab for this and over 80 more hymns on site,

Subject: RE: Hymns - Play along
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 25 Jun 12 - 09:58 PM

Banjo, fiddle, ukulele, and guitar on We Will Understand It Better By and By, written in 1905 by Charles A. Tindley, a son of slaves who became one of the pioneers of gospel music in the United States. Read more of his story and get free sheet music and tab on the site.