How many of you remember the old time choir and congregations singing songs like this? This song brings back so many memories. Not just this song particularly but songs like this. I remember going to my grandmother and granddaddy's old church. There was not a choir, as I remember but the congregation was the choir and when they sang, it was beautiful. I remember my old home church and as I have mentioned in previous posts they did have a choir. But I seem to remember even when the choir was singing, the congregation would sing also. It seemed back in those days, when something was being sung, everybody was singing and they did not hold back, they sang! It was beautiful music.
When I was sixteen years old (I think) my Uncle Cleon passed away. He was my grandmother's brother and lived between Ball Ground and Marble Hill, GA. I remember being at the visitation when an older white hair gentleman began to speak to me. He knew I sang a little in a quartet and I found out he traveled around to some of the country churches conducting singing schools. Well at least that's what I seem to remember. But what I do remember is that he placed his hand on my shoulder and said in a big voice, "Son, do you know the definition of music?" Not wanting to be embarrassed, I stammered some kind of response and before I finished he said it's simple. "Music is sounds that are pleasing to the ear. Birds singing, to your granddaddy, the sound of the hammer hitting nails or the saws cutting wood, to your Uncle Cleon it may have been the sounds from the marble mines." That definition has stuck with me all these years and it has taught me very clearly that music is different to different ears. (I still have trouble how some people can go to "music" concerts and wear ear plugs so they can't hear the music and still say they love the music LOL) But music to me to me is hearing a choir, a congregation, a quartet or anyone singing a song of praise and worship and I really love the older songs and hymns.
The only really distinct memory I have of this song, was when I was in long term care and finally had enough strength to hold my phone and press the buttons. I was missing listening to my southern gospel music and while it was difficult and frustrating trying to hold and operate my iPhone, I was so thankful to be able finally listen to my music again. There were several songs I listened too over and over again, and this was one of them. The first link is to an old video clip from the old Stamps Baxter School of Music and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed waking up to it this morning. "O' It Thrills Me" I believe was written by G.T. "Dad" Spear and I read where it was first recorded by The Spear Family in 1958. I will also post a more current version I enjoy by The Hoppers from the National Quartet Convention several years ago.
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