Yesterday morning, I woke to "Do You Know My Jesus" a song that Vep Ellis wrote the music. This morning, I woke to another Vep Ellis song and one I remember being sung a lot in the church I grew up in. I have not heard "Heavenly Love" in a long time so it was pretty special hearing it this morning.
In addition to writing over 500 songs during his life, Vep Ellis was a Church of God minister for 49 years. He was a much beloved songwriter and was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2001. When you flip through a song book and look at the writers, you will see Vep Ellis quite often. Mr. Ellis was born in Oneonta, AL. (How's that for a little bit of information you cant live without. LOL)
"Heavenly Love" was written in 1954 and recorded by numerous groups in the 50's and 60's. The Blackwood Brothers, The Weatherfords, The Statesmen, The Speers, The Blue Ridge Quartet are several who recorded this great song. It was also a favorite of many church choirs but it does not seem to be sung too much any more. The Gaithers preformed "Heavenly Love" in their video series in 1995 and 2000.
"Heavenly love (heavenly love) was all that could help me (was all that could help me)
I was astray (I was a stray) so sad and alone (so sad and alone)
I looked above (I looked above), my burdens all left me (my burdens all left me)
Now I can say (now I can say), heaven's my home (heaven's my home)
Chorus:
Heavenly love (heavenly love), the love of my Lord (the love of my Savior)
Lifting above (lifting above), for He is my sword and shield
Giving me light (giving me light), in darkness of night (in darkness of night)
Heavenly love (heavenly love), heavenly love (heavenly love)
When I shall stand (when I shall stand) at Jordan's dark river (at Jordan's dark river)
Shadows of night (shadows of night) are gathering above (are gathering above)
There is a pow'r (there is a pow'r), I know will deliver (I know will deliver)
Heavenly love (heavenly love), heavenly love (heavenly love)"
I hope you will enjoy hearing "Heavenly Love" this morning and I pray you will have a fantastic Friday!
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