Today’s post was written by Paul.
The old hymn “Kneel at the Cross” was written by Charles E. Moody. I was unable to find a definitive publishing date for the song, but back in 2020, Tipper wrote in a post that it was published in 1948. That may be officially correct, but I think 1948 is possibly a re-publishing date, because the first recording of the song appeared in 1928. I think the song may have first been published in 1924.
Some prominent musicians covered the song including the Louvin Brothers in 1963 and Hank Locklin in 1966, as well as the Chuck Wagon Gang, the Blue Sky Boys, the Statler Brothers, and Charlie Daniels. You can hear those recordings and more recordings of the song at secondhandsongs.com.
Granny told me on more than one occasion that she rode with Pap once or twice on long haul trips back when he was a truck driver. She said that Pap made her sing with him throughout the trip. That’s the way she worded it, but I think she actually enjoyed it, though it made her tired.
She said that Pap made her sing “Kneel at the Cross” over and over. My guess is that he must have been trying to learn a certain part or harmony to sing on the song with his brother Ray and was using Granny for practice, but I could be wrong.
The singing may have also been a way to fight off any sleepiness that he might have been feeling on the trip, though I’ve never known or heard of Pap getting sleepy during any long drive.
“Kneel at the Cross” is the only song that I ever sang with Pap and Granny at the same time, as a trio. It was their suggestion, and they both sang harmony while I sang high lead. I think we did the song in either B or C. I remember singing it once with them inside their house and once with them outside at the end of a hot summer day. We were sitting underneath the old Dogwood tree in Granny’s back yard. You may have seen it in some of Tipper’s videos or the Pressley Girls videos. It’s very near where Tipper’s family first sledded in the video last month.
I think the second take in this video is much better than the first one simply because I sang quieter, and you can hear Granny’s harmony much better. We hope you enjoyed this video.
Paul
Original singles released on Spotify.
Always enjoy hearing Paul and Granny sing together.
I love hearing them sing❤️It warms my heart. I am sitting here with my husband after he had a single lung transplant on Sunday morning. Love the praise, thank you❤️
Two good voices combined in family harmony makes for A GREAT rendition. I just HAD to sing it with you I love how you remembered that hot summer evening when you and your parents sung it together, plus one other time. What sweet memories. Thank you for sharing the talent you two have!
This was beautiful and so uplifting. Thank you Pul and Granny for sharing. Paul I see and hear the love you have for your sweet momma, cherish every moment you have with her. God bless you both and Tipper you and your family too.
Sounding good y’all! Can’t get enough granny singin!
Loved this!
The talent y’all have is amazing. Thanks for sharing. Have you ever sang “House of Gold”? I know it as a Hank Williams song but would like to hear the history of the song and your version sometime.
Robert-we’ve never sung that one. We will have to look it up 🙂
I would love to hear that, too!
So sweet. Granny is a real trooper. You both sound great.
Wow! This just lifted me out of a major morning funk. Thank you so much, Miss Granny and Paul! I enjoyed this so much. God bless you both. I watched Katie’s video last night. I’m praying for her. She is just so sweet and deserves total happiness and joy.
Sharing your gifts with us is precious! How sweet the way you interact. Beautiful job! Thanks.
Paul, this was beautiful! I always love to hear you and Granny sing the old-time hymns. It always blesses my heart. Keep them coming!
I always enjoy listening to you and Granny singing hymns. It was just a delight this morning. Thank you so much.
Beautiful music today! I like it when you do re-takes because it’s just that much more music I get to hear. Grany has a beautiful voice & she is such a sweetheart. Please record with her every chance you get.
Beautiful way to start my Sunday. I am 72 and we have sang this song as long as I can remember. You all do such a great job!
Absolutely love Granny! Sweetest lady. Love hearing her sing,so glad they are being recorded. What a treasure to have. I think the viewers should do a card shower for her 85th birthday.
Count me in, but let me know when her birthday will be plenty of time ahead. I mailed my friend a Christmas card on Dec. 19th. He called me last night to say thank you and that he received his card yesterday! He only lives two miles away. My P.O. is in a mess, mailed being delivered late and for folks like me that still pay their bills by mailing in checks that are getting there late or not at all.
I believe Tipper said March 6
Always enjoy listening you and Granny singing together. Such a beautiful song, perfect to start a Sunday morning.
Another inspirational hymn I sang for years in church. I really enjoyed hearing Granny and Paul singing. Randy you’re right. todays “religious praise songs are dementia songs, where you sing the same few words over and over for ten minutes.” I dislike most of them. The hymns preach a sermon. I have two old hymnals I kept when the church went to the other songs that I sing from at home. I used to play the piano, but I had to sell the one I had when I moved but I know most of the hymns by heart. Have a blessed day everyone.
Tricia, I think it is obvious I couldn’t agree more with you. Sometimes our choir will sing songs from another hymn book we once used, I think the name is Broadman.
Great way to start the morning with beautiful gospel singing! Thanks Granny and Paul, I listened to your singing a couple times and just could not help singing along with you! God bless you for praising our Lord and Savior this beautiful morning.
Beautiful
Beautiful song, sung by two wonderful people. You are both a blessing! Happy Sunday!
Bring Granny up equidistant from the microphone where we can hear her better and you’ll have a winner there! Or, maybe it’s my ears that are out of balance.
i loved hearing Granny sing.
Me, too!
Beautiful song. Your voices blend together so well. I enjoyed it so much. It’s such a blessing for you to get to sing with your sweet mother
good morning Paul, God bless you very much, God bless Granny Wilson,
Paul, I enjoy listening to you singing these old time hymns especially with Granny. Just like with today’s hymn, many of them are hymns we sung in my country church not only in the past but still sing today. We still sing the hymns that are in the Baptist Hymnal, none of today’s so called religious music. I have heard today’s religious praise songs called dementia songs, you sing the same few words over and over for 10 minutes.
Randy, I call them 7-11 songs. You sing 7 words eleven times. I also grew up with the Baptist Hymnals. The earliest ones I remember were round note versions.
Randy, I agree! We called them 7-11 songs (taken from the name of the convenience store). Sing the same 7 words over 11 times.