This morning's song sure brings back lots of memories and I hope a special memory for my cousins Wayne and Angela. This again was a Red Back Church Hymnal song that was sung often in the churches I attended. The special memory for my cousins is of their dad, my dad's youngest brother. As I mentioned in an earlier post of my dad leading singing, Uncle Johnny did also. This was the song I remember him so often selecting. I believe my Uncle Johnny enjoyed singing and listening to hymns and gospel music about as much as anybody.
I love the second verse of this song. "I’m glad I know the blessed Savior. For through His blood He set me free. Tho‘ rough the road I shall not waiver. For some glad day His face I’ll see." (It's kind of hard for me to read the words without singing them. LOL) "I Want To Know More About My Lord" was written by the legendary LeRoy Abernathy.
Mr. Abernathy's colorful life and storied career had a major impact on the old days of southern gospel music but has left an incredible mark on our music today. Born in Cartersville, GA in 1913, he started singing in his Dad's quartet at 5 years old standing on a Coca-Cola crate. Mr. Abernathy was known as a songwriter, pianist, publisher, author, teacher, and political candidate. He is known for inventing a music typesetting system, pioneered the use of PA systems in gospel concerts and wrote some of the first singing commercials.
In 1936, he wrote "Good Times Are Coming Soon" a reelection campaign song for Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1945 he finished creating his piano mail order course which was marketed to thousands of aspiring pianists. In 1947, while the pianist for the Homeland Harmony Quartet, he wrote his best selling and most recorded song. I am proud to say, an arrangement of Mr. Abernathy's "signature song" is currently being practiced by the East Gadsden Church Choir and hopefully we will sing it soon! Later in life, Mr. Abernathy, living in Canton, GA, taught piano and voice lessons at his Hall of Fame School of Music to many people from across the country. (Just a little side note. A few months ago, I learned that the father of one of my long time dear friends was good friends with Mr. Abernathy. I should have known, as Mr. Morris was also a lover of hymns and gospel music and Mr. Abernathy just lived down the street. Now there's a little bit of information that I know you just had to hear. LOL)
"I Want To Know More About My Lord" is a song, I loved waking up to this morning. The memory of Uncle Johnny, leading the congregation and his pleasure in singing and hearing others sing is an awesome memory. I wanted to post a congregation singing, but most of those videos it's harder to hear the words, so I will rely on Greater Vision to share their version with us.
I hope your Saturday will be spectacular!
Comments