pap's photo and guitar

Yesterday the girls did a zoom interview about Gospel music for the North Carolina Folklife Institute.

We’d just finished up doing some pickin and grinnin with Paul so the joy of music was still fresh on my fingers and in my ears.

As I listened to the girls talk of their musical history I felt a strong sense of homesickness for Pap.

The girls’ growing up years were different than mine in so many ways, but the common thread of music was the same.

With my heart missing Pap I went to the Blind Pig YouTube Channel to see what I might share with you today.

When Pap first died Paul said he got great solace from the videos we’d uploaded to the channel. I couldn’t bear to listen to them for a good long time, but today I’m so thankful they’re there.

I hope that beautiful two part harmony is a balm for your soul just like it is mine.

If you’d like to purchase some of Pap and Paul’s music check out the cds below: “Lamp Lighting Time,” and “Shepherd of my Soul.”

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18 Comments

  1. I used to go with other teenagers to our preacher’s house after Sunday Night Church. We would drink Russian Tea ( the Tang version ), talk while munching on cookies and then sing. I remember singing this song at these gatherings. 50 years back now. Thank for reminding me. Sure do enjoy hearing your Pap and Paul singing it

  2. Tipper,
    What a precious memory of your daddy! I wish everyone could have this kind of memory!
    They did a beautiful job with this song. Very appropriate for EASTER SEASON!!!!!!! I love this so much. Thank you for another great video!!!!!!!

  3. Ya Know there are so many ministering songs and hymns that I so love…ones that have ministered to my soul as true balm at different times, seasons, days, happenings ….ones that the Lord seems to bring alongside ya just when He knows you need it. This Hymn is one I know well ,have sung much, and lingered over the words of…. But especially it brings me back to remembering my Granny Croley lovingly….whenever my sister and I would come for a stay she always loved to hear us sing ..sometimes out on the porch , and sometimes with neighborhood kids our age joining right in… when we’d ask granny what she would like us to sing ….she always replied …” In The Garden” …she loved it and us and we loved her 🙂 …there’s a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us….. Oh What a Joy unspeakable and full of Glory in Heaven’s bright city ❣️

  4. This is one of my favorite hymns and they sang it so well. I really love the harmony. These hymns on Sundays are a real blessing since we can’t go to church because of COVID-19.

  5. Tipper,
    This is a wonderful song to remember when going through some “dark valley” in one’s life. It was calming to start off Sunday morning with such a meaningful song done so well by Pap and Paul!
    Thanks!

  6. In a less somber tone, I remember as a child hearing that song. I couldn’t understand what the words to the song meant. “I come to the garden alone.” “Andy walks with me, Andy talks with me, Andy tells me I am his own?” That’s not a church song! Somebody is meeting Andy in the garden!
    The Bible says “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” In my case the “childish things” have come back on me!

  7. Ours was a family of hymn singers. My pop was a bass, and as an adult I sing tenor. One of my aunts had a beautiful alto voice, and she and I would often sing duets while she ironed. I was 9 or 10 years old. In the Garden was one of our favorites.

  8. Oh, Tipper, that is so beautiful! Thank you! The sweet harmony of Pap and Paul
    is comforting and soothing to me always, and even my singing along with “In the Garden”
    this morning didn’t spoil it!

  9. Beautiful singing as usual!!!! I don’t think we ever stop missing our loved ones that have passed even though we know we will see them again. I listened to Pap and Paul sing “He whispers sweet peace to me” too. I’m so glad you uploaded them so people that may not know about your blog can find that beautiful blending of voices and inspiring messages.

  10. Tipper, I enjoy these hymns you have each Sunday. To me this is true gospel music at its finest. I know what you mean when you say you miss your loved ones. Over the past 10 years my wife and I have lost a large number of our family members, all hurt and are missed, but by far the hardest was the death of our daughter. There is not a day that goes by we don’t cry and think about her even though it has been 8 years and 1 month, Sept.15,2012. It is hard for me to look at pictures of her. These videos bring back memories of my wife’s father and sister or some of his friends playing and singing together on Sunday afternoons. Everyone has died in the last few years. Tipper we will remember you in prayer each night.

  11. I expect you know the story behind this song. It was written by a bereaved husband soon after his wife had died. The whole idea of the Lord walking and talking with you in a garden is so like the Garden of Eden before the serpent.

    Some of you all have probably seen the saying, “One is nearer the heart of God in a garden than anywhere else on earth.” I think probably a gardener wrote that and others could say the same about other situations. Still, gardening was the first occupation.

    The videos of Pap have been for you similar to what BP&A has been for me. Your posts have brought back lots of memories I didn’t even know I had. That, in turn, has given me a better appreciation of my heritage. I believe that is what you were after for each of us the whole time.

  12. In the Garden is probably my favorite hymn in all the world! I hum it working with my flowers or on a nature walk. I might be heard humming it as I go about my daily work. Paul and Pap did themselves proud on this song as they do so many! THANKYOU for the share. I thank you for going through emotional times and finding peace at the end of the journey of loss of your dear daddy. I think he’s near you in the garden, in song, even in beautiful nature. He’s just at his new mansion over the hilltop waiting on the family to come home! God bless you and your family, Tipper! You’ve got a wonderful family from all I see and you’re an absolute millionaire in love, hope, faith and joy!!!

  13. That was beautiful and timely. It always seems to me that when the Fall leaves begin to fall and it’s cool enough to need a jacket my mind turns to the people that I loved and now are gone. It always make me feel a little sad and lonely.
    The song is beautiful!

  14. Tipper–That hymn was a favorite of both Momma and Daddy. I never hear it without a mixture of sadness from memories and gladness from the magic they brought to me. For me, the timing was especially meaningful, and I can virtually guarantee that both of my siblings, if they read and listen to today’s offerings, will feel the same.
    Jim Casada

  15. Thank You for playing this today! My church doesn’t really sing the In The Garden for some reason but I’ve always loved it

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