St. Joseph of Cupertino St. Joseph of Cupertino Parish Cupertino, California ~~ Founded 1913 ~~ Flyer November 2015 The Stories Behind the Songs By Mike Hoffman The purpose of this article, dear readers, is to tell you about the stories behind some of the songs in the Breaking Bread songbook. I am sharing these stories with you in the hope that knowing the story behind the song will enhance your experience of singing the song. Of course, there’s also the fact that they’re wonderful stories I think more people should know. While I have attempted to check out these stories, I do not present them as being 100% historically accurate... All opinions expressed herein are strictly mine. All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name (732) According to Wikipedia, this song is often called, “the national anthem of Christendom.” The lyrics were written Edward Perronet while he served as a missionary in India. They first appeared in the November 1779 issue of the Gospel Magazine. While serving as a missionary living in India in the 1800’s, the Reverend E. P. Scott set out alone to share the gospel with a dangerous and savage tribe. Several days into his journey, he was surrounded by a group of warriors all pointing spears at him. Expecting to die, Scott pulled out the violin he always carried with him and began to play and sing, “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name.” After playing several verses, Scott looked around and saw that the warriors had lowered their spears and had tears in their eyes. Over the remainder of his life, Scott spent much time with the tribe, sharing the good news with them. Precious Lord, Take My Hand (692) The composer of this song, Reverend Thomas Dorsey (1899- 1993) is, according to Wikipedia, known as “the father of black gospel music.” While at a revival in St. Louis, he received a telegram saying that his wife had died in childbirth. When he got home to Chicago the next morning, he was told that the baby had also died. Describing the event years later, he said, “After putting my wife away, the baby in the same casket, I went to the music room, just browsing over the keys and seemingly the words, like drops of water seemed to drop in line with me on the piano.” The song was a favorite of Elvis Presley and Martin Luther King Jr. According to Wikipedia, “King’s last words before his assassination was a request to play it at a mass he was due to attend that night.” Amazing Grace (58) John Newton, who wrote the words this song, was a slave trader. He had no religious beliefs. While attempting to steer his ship through a violent storm, believing all hope was lost, he exclaimed, “Lord have mercy on us.” Soon afterwards, cargo shifted in the hold and plugged up a leak and the ship was saved. Newton felt that this incident was the beginning of his conversion to Christianity. Years later, he was ordained a priest in the Church of England. Seen in the light of his experiences, it seems quite clear to me that the song is autobiographical. The line, “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!” is a celebration of his conversion. Jonathan Aitken, a Newton biographer has estimated that Amazing Grace is sung about 10 million times a year. President Obama sang Amazing Grace (solo) during the funeral of one of the Charleston church shooting victims. Lord of the Dance (570) This song is identified in the songbook as, “A Shaker Melody.” The Shakers were a religious sect. Led by Ann Lee, they came to America in 1774 to escape religious persecution in England. Their name comes from the vigorous dancing movements that were an integral part of the religious observances. Sydney Carter, who was not a shaker, wrote “Lord of the Dance” in 1963. The song was inspired by a number of influences including the Shaker hymn, “Simple Gifts” (#514), Jesus and an image of the Hindu god Siva in a dancing pose. Mr. Carter said of this song, “I see Christ as the incarnation of the Piper who is calling us. He dances that shape and pattern which is at the heart of our reality.” and “I did not think the churches would like it at all.” So, we have a song in the songbook based on a Shaker hymn, written by a man who was neither a Shaker nor a Catholic who thought it would never catch on as a church hymn. Shall We Gather at the River (616) Robert Lowry (1826-1899) was a professor of literature and a Baptist pastor who wrote many hymns. One afternoon in July 1864, he had a vision of heaven which included saints gathered around the beautiful river of life. According to sharethefaith.com (a source I have used for this article), it’s often sung at baptisms and funerals. It was sung at the funeral of Supreme Court justice William Douglas and in the movie, “Trip to Bountiful.” Lead Me, Guide Me (392) This song represents a trifecta, matched, I think, by very few other songs. First, it was written by an African American composer, second, it was a favorite song of Elvis Presley, and third, it is, according to ignatianspirituality.com, a “best Ignatian song.” The author of the article, Mr. Jim Manney “a popular writer on Ignatian topics,” urges us to sing these words from the song when facing a decision: Lead me, guide me, along the way, For, if you lead me, I cannot stray. Lord let me walk each day with Thee. Lead me, O Lord, lead me. Pretty good advice, I think.