Earlier this week when I wrote of the beauty of our garden and how I’ve been enjoying it this year the old hymn “In the Garden” came to mind.
The song was written by C. Austin Miles.
Miles, (1868-1946), was a very talented man. Along with being a successful songwriter he was a church music director, a pharmacist, and a photographer who developed his own photos.
According to the book 101 Hymn Stories written by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Dr. Adam Geibel asked Miles to write a song that would “bring hope to the hopeless, rest for the weary, and downy pillows to dying beds.”
While in his photography darkroom Miles read over his favorite Bible chapter John 20. He had a sort of vision which inspired him to write the hymn.
The hymn has always been one of my favorites. I grew up singing the song in church as I’m sure many of you did. It has been recorded by artists ranging from Elvis Presley to Perry Como. But my favorite version of the song is Pap and Paul’s. Their harmony makes the lovely words even lovelier—to the point of making the song seem like a lullaby.
I hope you enjoyed Pap and Paul’s version of the old hymn!
Chatter and Austin have welcomed their sweet baby boy into the world and made me a grandma again 🙂 To hear them talk about the wonderful event go here.
Tipper
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This has always been a favorite song of mine. Your Pap and Paul sing it beautifully.
My Dad and his brothers and sisters always got together to sing and that’s where I came to love and sing Harmony. Dad had a beautiful Tenor voice.
Tipper, your posts always bring me such joy.
I am physically affected by this. Tears roll as I listen to this most beautiful version. It is almost more than I can bear…
+Congratulations the family on the birth of Woodrow. Wee ones bring such joy to all.
Thanks for the story of the origin of my favorite hymn. The video of your Pap and brother was very beautiful. Blessings to all!!
Wonderful news about baby boy Woodrow Scot. I watched Corie and Austin let us know. With a tear in my eye I was so happy for them. When Corie was tearing up it was precious. She and Austin will be great and loving parents. Congratulations to all of the families. ⭐️HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY to all. Be safe and enjoy the picnics, food, family and all the celebrations ⭐️!!! Jennifer
I’m like everyone else; I love that song and I had tears in my eyes from the first notes to the last. I’ve never heard it done better! Paul must miss singing with his father so much! Thanks for sharing, it was beautiful!!
Oh how I love that old gospel song!!! Pap and Paul sang it so beautifully, I could listen to it time and time again.
Congratulations to Corie and Austin!!! Oh my I got teary eyed too and choked up when the snapshot for Granny holding little Woodrow Scott appeared on the screen. God bless and keep ya all under his care.
It’s one of my favorite hymns. Congratulations on your new grandson!
Congratulations on the birth of Baby Woody!! Blessings and happy hugs!
Tipper and Matt,
Congratulations to both !! Must be exciting to become grandparents again!
Congratulations to the new parents Cori and Austin!’ Blessings to everyone, H H
Congratulations on your newest grand baby, Woodrow. I have been praying for Corie’s safe delivery. Love the song as well.
Great song and yes I heard about your new grandson. Congrats Granma again! Love you all.
Congratulations to everyone!!!! I thought earlier this week that Woody must have been born. So much love to everyone! ❤️
Congratulations on the new grandson!
In the Garden was one of my Pa’s favorites. He sang it while rocking his grand babies (he had 14 before he passed.)
I loved Pap and Paul’s version. Congratulations on becoming a Grandma again to baby Woodrow. Corie and Austin looked so happy and Corie really looked well. Love to all your family – Granny had the best smile in that photo ❤️❤️❤️!
This has long been one of my favorite songs, Tipper – thanks for sharing the video of it – beautiful! And sharing in you all’s joy on Woody’s arrival. Such sweet treasures that overflow our hearts with love can sure come in such tiny bundles. The Lord bless & Keep each one of you.
What a beautiful version of a beautiful song! This was sung at my Daddy’s funeral, and I have always loved it.
Congratulations to all of you on the arrival of baby Woody!! I watched the video and Corie and Austin are just beaming. The picture of Granny holding him is priceless! Now Katie is an aunt and Ira has a cousin. I can only imagine what the holidays will be like this year!
What a wonderful start to my Sunday morning when I opened my email and found the video of Pap & Paul playing and singing one of my favorite songs, followed by the announcement of the arrival of Chatter & Austin’s sweet baby boy! “In the Garden” is one of my favorite songs and reminds me of my mother. She was an early riser and the garden was her favorite place to be. I had it played at her Celebration of Life. And, of course, Pap & Paul’s soothing voices blended with their music took me back to my own childhood when my father and his brother used to make music like that. Thanks so much for sharing your family with us and bringing back such wonderful memories. Life is good, and God is good!
Congratulations!
That was also my mother’s favorite hymn. Pap and Paul’s version is simply beautiful! Thanks for sharing. Congratulations to all on baby Woody. I can’t wait to hear about the day the babies notice each other. Boy! Are you in for a treat as those two little boys grow up. Get the camera ready!
Their harmony is amazing! I watched Corie and Austin’s video announcing Baby Woody and got misty-eyed even before she got choked up and turned my misty eyes into full-blown tears. Seeing Granny holding the baby was the highlight of the video.
congratulations, I hear there’s a new baby, God bless y’all, today I’m celebrating 31 days without smoking cigarettes, praise God hallelujah, I have been delivered with the help of our Lord Jesus Christ
Norman-congratulations!!
That’s good news for me too as a former smoker. I’ve been praying for you Norman but I claim no credit for your success. God did it all. With God’s directions you can do anything you want!
One of my favs! Nothing like family harmonies. Thankyou for sharing your memories with
us. Jesus waitts “In the Garden” for us.
Blessing on your new little guy, he will be well loved. Welcome little Woodrow
I just came in from a few minutes in the garden, alone. As Jim said, this was our mother’s favorite hymn. To me, it speaks of both the need and joy of spending time, alone with the great I Am, in a place where a still small voice can be heard, unmuffled by the care and strife of this old world. As expected, Pap and Paul did it wonderfully well.
Congratulations on the arrival of your second grand; another tiny heart stealer to make life so much better. Another great rendition of a wonderful ol hymn by Pap and Paul. Love their harmony, indeed!
Is it Scot or is it Scott? Isn’t Austin’s dad’s given names Scot Anthony? Just curious, it really doesn’t matter.
Papaw-great question! I had to ask 🙂 it is Scot
That was so beautiful! Thank you!
My husband and I sat and listened to Pap and Paul sing “In the Garden” this morning. We grew up in our church singing it and the song was my husband’s mother’s favorite hymn. Papa and Paul did a great job singing. Congratulations on the birth of Woodrow Scott. I watched the video of Corie and Austin introducing him and I especially enjoyed the picture of Granny holding him. She looks so proud and happy. He’s a beautiful baby. Good times are ahead for you, Matt and the rest of the family. Take lots of videos and pics.
What a beautiful version of In the Garden. Lovely way to start a Sunday Morning. Wonderful baby news too! We welcomed our new (3rd) baby grandson two weeks ago. It’s such a wonderful feeling.❤️
Congratulations on another precious grandson! Little Woody and Ira will be great friends, I’m sure❣️
I just love that song. Reminds me of my Granny who loved that song too. Pap and Paul did a beautiful job, just lovely. Of course congratulations on being a grandma again. It was so sweet watching Corie & Austin and baby Woodrow.
What a grand way to start the day with this beautiful example of blood harmony. “In the Garden” was Momma’s favorite song. I think she enjoyed it not only for the lyrics but because she was at peace when she was in an earthly garden. While Daddy took care of gardening on the vegetable side of things, Momma loved to grow flowers, arrange them, dry them, and just admire them. You’ve conjured up some wonderful memories, and I know all of you are reveling in the arrival of wee Woody.
Beautiful song on this beautiful Sabbath day! Pap and Paul have such lovely harmony.
I enjoyed the video announcement of the arrival of yet another angel added to the Pressley family. I love the name. Woody and Ira will be running around and helping Matt before we can blink. I just want to get in my car and drive to Brasstown and see those babies.
First of all, congratulations on becoming a grandma a second time. Corie and baby looked beautiful on their video announcement last evening. I had an Uncle Woody, and he was so sweet. Secondly, it is awesome that you picked this song today. I always sang this song in church growing up and I love Pap and Paul’s version. Every time I rock my youngest grandbaby, I sing ‘In the Garden’ to him—and he drifts right off to sleep. It definitely feels like a lullaby to me too.
Such a beautiful version of that song. Glad you have it on tape. That song was played at my dad’s funeral,so it’s especially comforting .(he passed in 1993). Watched the video of Corie and Austin last night .So glad to see them and their little one happy and healthy. Love the name and the connection to your family.
Congratulations to you and Matt on becoming a Grandma and Grandpa again!!! Congratulations to Katie for becoming an Auntie!!! I’ve watched Corie and Austin’s video and couldn’t help but cry happy tears!!!
That was just beautiful! Pap and Paul had such amazing harmony. That’s one of my favorite hymns too.
I was so happy to hear yesterday of the arrival of little Woody. Such a beautiful photo of Granny holding her newest little great grandson. I can only imagine the joy you all must be feeling. ❤️❤️
It’s a beautiful version of a beautiful song.
In The Garden is one of my favorites also. The version by Pap and Paul is beautiful. Congratulations on your new grandson Woodrow Scott.
That is a precious memory to have on tape. Looking back, I’m sure ya’ll are so glad ya’ll did those recordings.
I’m so happy on the new arrival of Woodrow. I’ve been praying for Corie, I remember those emotional first few weeks. God bless all of ya’ll.
Happy Sunday! I so love this song and remember singing it in church as a youth. I didn’t know the author or any background stories of it, so thank you for sharing it with us. Pap and Paul sang it beautifully as they did all the songs they sang together.
Congratulations on being a grandma again! I saw Corie and Austin’s video last night. They are all so precious and so in love with Woody. I’m so happy for them! Now Ira has his bestie cousin to grow up with. May God continue to bless all your family!
Good Sunday morning! Since listening to your folks, it’s now my favorite version. It’s a beautiful hymn and such a picture of Jesus, alone in the garden. Thanks for sharing.
Congrats on your new grandson.
Oh, how I love this hymn and so perfectly delivered by Paul and Pap. Beautiful, and I saw Corie and Austin’s video last night. Praise God for Woody and his wonderful parents, and for you, Matt, Katie, and Ira. Blessings don’t get any better than this.
What great news! A baby on each knee. Nothing like being a grandma.
One of my all-time favorite hymns.
Congratulations on your newest grandson.
God bless each of you.
I am so happy for Corie and Austin! So thankful that God helped them so much! I watched their announcement video last evening and was so excited for them! Congratulations to grandma and papa! Praying for all! In the Garden was my husband’s favorite song, Paul and Pap sang it beautifully❤. God bless you and yours!❤❤
Congratulations God Bless the new baby
I always loved this song, I remember when we would sing it at my church.
Congratulations to Chatter, Austin, Grandma and Grandpa and the other family members.