Turns out Paul was thinking about Pap yesterday too. He uploaded Pap singing the old hymn “It is No Secret.” Here’s what Paul had to say about it.
“July 16th, is Pap’s birthday. One of the Acorns (viewers), Debbie Nixon, asked me (in a comment) back on July 7th, what song I was going to sing for Pap’s birthday. She knew that Pap’s birthday was approaching.
Back in 2017, I sang and uploaded “His Hands” on Pap’s birthday. I didn’t really know the song but chose to do it because Pap loved Stuart Hamblen’s music so much. This year, I decided to let Pap do the honors himself and uploaded a solo recording of him singing what is perhaps Hamblen’s most famous song.
Hamblen also wrote “Until Then,” which Pap and I sang as a duet, and you can find a couple of videos of us singing it on this channel. As granny would say, Pap thought Hamblen was “the stuff.”
However, you can really hear Hamblen’s musical influence on Pap in only one of Pap’s songs, “Live to Never Die,” which will be on the CD project that I’m working on. The influence doesn’t show up so much in the words as it does in the chord pattern, particularly when the song goes “around the horn,” from C major to D major.
One thing about Hamblen’s writing that I find interesting is that in most of his songs, he begins the chorus with the key line, whereas most writers of classic country music end the chorus with their key line.
In “It is No Secret,” Hamblen uses the key line like bookends, by both starting and ending the chorus with it. In a sense, I find it bold that he so often began his choruses with the best line, the hook line, if you will. I think that shows that he had confidence in his ability to elaborate upon that line in the rest of the chorus (the lines to come) without boring the listener.
There is a famous true story about the origins of “It is No Secret,” a story involving Hamblen himself, Billy Graham, and John Wayne. If you’re wondering why Hamblen might have had interactions with Wayne, Hamblen was also a Hollywood actor back in the day. Most of you have probably already heard the story of how this song was inspired, so I won’t tell it here. If you’ve never heard the story, just Google it. 🙂 I’m thankful that the thing that God did for Hamblen, he also did for Pap, and someday, I’ll see Pap again. Thank you for watching and listening. I hope you enjoy Pap’s version of this great song!”
I hope you enjoyed the song from Pap and Paul’s thoughts as much as we do. I’d like to thank each of you for allowing Paul and I to share our thoughts of Pap—we really appreciate each of you! Pap did too. Before he died he was always asking me about how the Blind Pig folks were doing 🙂
Original singles released on Spotify.
Shepherd of My Soul (Album released in 2016).
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This brought tears to my eyes, as Pap sang it so well. I have it on an LP of hymns sung by Pat Boone. My dad would have been 103 on July 15, and even though he’s been gone almost 50 years, I still miss him. Another friend of our family who passed away several years ago had a July birthday, and our oldest daughter will be 40 on July 25.
My husband asked me to tell you that he looks forward to hearing and watching your family make music. He especially loves the gospel music, sung so beautifully by Pap and Paul. Thank you for sharing your family’s music, and the gospel, with us.
Sheila-thank you and please tell your husband we are so glad he enjoys our music 🙂
Well, I now live in Canada, but I’d be more than willing to pay extra shipping and handling, etc. for a copy of the CD when it comes out. Hearing this song brought back memories of hearing my mother & one of her friends singing this at home.
Blessings to everyone.
Beautiful song and beautifully sung. It took me back to the times I heard it at church with my grandparents.
Simply beautiful! My Dad went to heaven 25 years ago and there is not one day that I don’t think of him. Thank you and Paul for letting us be a part of your feelings, memories and love that you have for your Dad. God bless all of you.
Tipper, when my father was was alive He loved Stuart Hamlen too…he listened to the Cowboy Church on the Air…every week…my niece Katie and I played ” This ol’ House” at his Celebration of Life……Katie on Banjo and I on guitar…what a hoot that was!! ..
I needed to hear that song, a gentle reminder.
God bless and keep you and your family.
It is No Secret is one of my absolute favorite hymns of all time because it’s so comforting! Pap sang this beautiful song like an angel he did!!! I have to agree with Granny this song is “the stuff”!!! May you all find comfort and consolation in your profound loss by way of The Lord’s mighty kind, long, outstretched precious arm!!!
Seems like I’ve always known that song, sang it myself but really did not know who wrote the song or his story. Beautiful song and I, of course, always have loved hearing Pap’s voice and Paul’s too. You just can’t beat a Gospel song. Great way to start the morning and remember Pap’s firm stand on following the Shepherd.
I enjoyed today’s song, I have not heard this hymn in a long time. I spend a lot of time listening to Pap and the rest of the BP&A singing on you tube. I love the old hymns. My father in law was also a musician although not professional. He often mention the Wilson Brothers and how much he enjoyed them. From what I have learned about Pap, he and my father in law were a lot alike .
Tipper, I did not comment yesterday but I think I can relate to some of the way you feel. My daddy’s birthday was July 5th, he would have been 100 years old and has been gone 31 years. I still miss him and think about him. My wife’s birthday is coming up on August 3rd. I will be praying for you.
That was a beautiful song. Thank you for sharing Pap’s heart for the Lord with us. He is still working to reach others for Christ through the music God blessed him with and you all sharing it with the world. I’ll be happy to meet him when I am called to go home to be with Jesus too.
I remember singing the song in church as a little boy. I love the song. I did not know about how it was written.
thanks so much
I wonderful song to start a beautiful worship day. Thanks for sharing ❤
Tipper, I love the two pictures you chose for this post of Pap, they reflect his beautiful soul! I think we all thing of Pap regularly, he was such a strong presence! The song is heartwarming, like the picture he is ever present!
Thanks I loved the song sang from your dad
Your father sang and played that wonderful old song beautifully. While the never had the privilege of meeting him, I can tell from the writings of Tipper, the girls and you that he had “the stuff” too.
I will say thank you and leave it at that> God Bless.