white church in field

Everyone seemed to enjoy last Sunday’s Pickin and Grinnin in the Kitchen Spot so much that I decided to dig out another video of Pap and Paul doing an old hymn.

The hymn “Nearer My God To Thee” was written by Sarah Flower Adams (1805-1848). Adams was a British actress and poet. Adams wrote the song after leaving the theater due to health issues. I found the following quote about the inspiration for the song: “A pastor from the Unitarian church was visiting with Adams’ family one afternoon. He mentioned that he was having difficulty finding a hymn that represented his next week’s sermon, taken from on Genesis 28:11-19 (The story of Jacob’s dream). Sarah volunteered to write a hymn for the occasion. Within the week, “Nearer My God” to Thee was born.”

I grew up hearing and singing the song. I love the language used in old hymns. The lovely lyrics of praise always make me want to add words like beckon, thee, shall, and thou to my daily conversations.

I hope you enjoyed the video! 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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19 Comments

  1. I’m very late to the conversation, but wanted to say “Amen, brothers, Amen” to the words of Paul and Randy in regards to the appeal of the combination of imagery, emotion and depth of meaning of the words of old hymns like “Nearer, My God to Thee.” I’d heard Pap and Paul sing this before, but thoroughly enjoyed it once again. I’ve never heard anyone sing it by starting off with the latter part of one of the verses, but it is lovely in its harmony and in setting the stage for the two full verses.

    Thanks for sharing this on a rainy Sunday. Prayers for those affected by Delta.

  2. I remembered the story of Jacob’s ladder in the Bible. I listened to the words of the song and wondered how someone could read Genesis 28 and write “Nearer My God to Thee”. So… I looked up the lyrics to the song. It’s all there! There are three more verses. Pap and Paul sang the first and the last verses. The three in the middle add a lot more meaning to the song.
    I wish I could back up time and Paul and Pap could sing all five but that’s not possible on this side of life. On the other side they are already singing. In the meantime I will enjoy the first and the last.

  3. I mentioned this song in Sunday School and my wife said, “He likes old mountain music, Ya’ll.” I admit that I am old and from the mountains, so why not?

  4. What a great way to start a morning listening to Paul and Pap singing an old hymn. I love the old hymns, and actually getting the history on who ever wrote it is wonderful too.

  5. The harmony on this one filled my soul. Stunningly beautiful. I love the old hymns I grew up with. I look forward to hearing the songs of my heart every Sunday in your posts. Thank you.

  6. I don’t intend to upset anyone, but to me hymns like this one today and last week and the other old time hymns are true gospel music. This new songs that some churches are signing today are not my cup of tea. I heard a preacher call it dementia music one time, he said you say the same words over and over for 10 minutes. Like I said, I do not want to offend anyone, but this is just the way I feel. Some people like Fords others like Chevys, it does not mean one is tight and the other is wrong. Tipper, I hope you keep playing hymns like this on Sunday.

  7. So very beautiful a song and harmony! I really enjoyed it! I must ask who the young fellow is between Paw and Paul? He is talented too! Never have truer words been spoken than the ones in that song! Without God, I don’t understand how folks make it. The best day of my life is the day I completely gave up!

    1. Margie-that is my nephew Ben, eldest son of my older brother Steve. He used to play with us a lot so he shows up in most of the earliest videos 🙂

  8. Beautiful Sunday song as usual. What a legacy Pap left. So glad we can still enjoy his beautiful voice on a Sunday morning.

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