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Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace may be one of the best
known gospel hymns of all time. It is sung in many different ways in
churches across American and on gospel radio stations. Many artists have
recorded Amazing Grace, including Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash
and Rod Stewart. The song was originally written by John Newton in 1773.
Newton was a clergyman and poet. The song was written to celebrate a New
Year's Day service. Chris Tomlin recorded a modern variation called
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone). | |
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Because He Lives
Some of the biggest names in southern
gospel music belong to the Gaithers. The song Because He Lives is
no exception. Because He Lives was written by Bill and Gloria
Gaither in 1971. The song is based on John 14:19 and Matthew 28:6.
You'll find many other stories about top gospel songs on this site.
Learn about
Sweet, Sweet Spirit, for example. You'll also get additional
information on modern day gospel hits, such as Marvin Sapp's
Never Would Have Made It. | |
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Blessed Assurance
This is the story, this is the song...
People have been singing those words for well over 100 years and this
gospel hymn remains just as popular today as ever. Many variations of
the song have been recorded by artists like Ruby Terry and Third Day.
Fanny Crosby, who has more than 8000 hymns to her credit, was
visiting her friend Phoebe Knapp. Phoebe played a tune for Fanny on the
piano and Fanny immediately came up with the words for this popular
hymn. Blessed Assurance was penned in 1873. | |
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His Name Is Wonderful
On Christmas Day in 1955, Audrey
Mieir was in a church service with no intention of writing a song.
Although a composer, she was simply listening to her pastor as he gave
an impassioned sermon about the birth of Jesus. The pastor, also her
brother-in-law, lifted his hands and shouted, "His name is wonderful!"
Mieir couldn't get the words out of her mind, and the hymn was born.
You'll also find a complete section on
worship on this site with a look at many other gospel favorites. | |
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How Great Thou Art
Carl Gustaf Boberg wrote the words to
this great hymn and had it published in 1891. It was originally written
in German and later translated to Russian. This is where it began its
journey toward becoming a hymn. Stuart K. Hine translated the poem into
English and added a fourth verse. It was sung at a meeting in England
during World War I and later made its journey to America. You'll also
find information about the history of gospel hymns like
Jesus Paid it All,
Victory in Jesus and
When I Call on Jesus. | |
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I'll Fly Away
This beautiful, upbeat hymn was written by
Albert E. Brumley in 1929. Many people refer to this song as one of
the most often recorded gospel songs of all time. It has been recorded
by Tammy Wynette, Jars of Clay, Jerry Lee Lewis, Randy Travis and Hank
Williams. It has also been performed within other songs, such as Puff
Daddy's I'll Be Missing You. Brumley penned over 700 songs. Some
of his other melodies include I'll Meet You in the Morning and
The Blood that Stained the Old Rugged Cross. | |
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Oh Happy Day
This gospel song was adapted from a 19th
Century hymn titled Oh Happy Day That Fixed My Choice. The
original hymn was often sung after baptisms to celebrate the moment. The
Edwin Hawkins Singers recorded this hymn, putting their own twist on it
in Oh Happy Day. You can get the
lyrics from the Edwin Hawkin version. The song even won a Grammy
award for best gospel song. | |
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There's Something About That Name
This song was written by Bill and Gloria Gaither. The Gaithers are
probably some of the most prolific modern day gospel hymn writers out
there. Today, the
Gaither
family has expanded to include many different artists and even more
songs. If you want a recording of this song, you can find it on the 1997
album Joy to the World: Gaither Gospel Series. | |
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Victory in Jesus
This hymn is an upbeat
gospel song that is often sung to open a church service or at the
closing. It was written by Eugene Monroe Bartlett, Sr. in 1939.
Victory in Jesus was Bartlett's last song that he wrote. In 1979,
Eugene Monroe Bartlett was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
The words of the song speak of finding victory over death through
choosing eternal life by accepting Jesus as Lord. | |
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Will the Circle Be Unbroken
This hymn was written by Ada R. Habershon in 1907 and set to the music
of
Charles H. Gabriel. It is a popular gospel song in Christian
circles. Adaptations of this song have been recorded by country artists
such as Bob Dylan and The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Other songs by Ada
Habershon include Meet Me in the Homeland, Soon Will Our Savior from
Heaven Appear, What Will It Be When We See Him? and Are You Ready
for the Coming? | |
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