Today’s post was written by Paul.
Last week, Granny suggested we sing the old hymn “Love Lifted Me.”
The beautiful hymn was written by James Rowe in 1912. I once figured that Albert E. Brumley was probably the most prolific writer of hymns (at an estimated 600-800 hymns). However, according to hymnary.org, James Rowe published more than 9,000!
The first time I ever heard this song, it was sung by a local quartet that we periodically ran into as Pap and Ray traveled around performing gospel music. I remember they had a very high lead singer and a great piano player who everybody called Shorty. He was a Leatherwood. He was a great piano player who was completely self taught, and he never used sheet music. To me, he seemed about average height, so I’m not sure why everyone called him shorty. Maybe all of his siblings were tall. I don’t know, but he didn’t seem to mind. I believe the core of the quartet was from the Peachtree area. I think they called themselves the Tri-State Quartet, so they probably had members from TN and GA, not just NC. Anyway, I immediately liked the song when I first heard it, and I noticed that lots of folks in the audience smiled a lot during the song and sang along on the chorus.
Pap and I made a video of us singing this song back in 2014. I had just bought a Loar archtop guitar, and it seemed to suit the song well, giving it a more old timey feel. One of our earliest Acorns, a kind, elderly gentleman named Jose, who lived in Buenos Aires, commented that it was the best job that Pap and I ever did on any song on the channel, though he liked them all. I think Jose was probably right in terms of the vocals. I used the video as the first video on our “landing page” for the channel for many years, wanting to put our best foot forward for any viewers who stumbled upon our channel.
Mine and Granny’s version of the song isn’t quite as polished as mine and Pap’s was, but Pap wasn’t 85 when we shot that video.
It’s not an easy song, but it sure is a beautiful one with wonderful lyrics. I know that you probably can’t hear Granny as well as you would like to through most of the song, but you can at least hear her well on the closing line of each chorus. I would have sung softer, but in order to keep Granny’s part from being too low for her, I had to sing this song three frets higher than I would normally sing it, and that required singing out with more volume.
Granny and I hope you enjoyed this video. Lord willing, we’ll do some more. Here’s a link to a video of Pap and me singing the song.
Paul
Original singles released on Spotify.
Shepherd of My Soul (Album released in 2016).
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You certainly lifted us up with this duet with sweet Granny! You bless each other and US with these precious sessions. May the Heavenly Father bless you both even more!
This song took me back to my youth when I first gave my heart to Jesus. The church of my youth sang this hymn and many others that I cherish to this day. Paul and Granny sang it beautifully! May you all have a week filled with God’s blessings.
That was beautiful! Thank you, Paul and Granny!
Loved your singing.
This is a hymn from my childhood, and Paul and Granny sang it so well. Our sermon this morning was about love.
Thanks so much Paul and Granny. Brought back memories of my mom and dad and tears of joy. Wonderful way to start a Sunday morn.
Thanks for reminding me of a beautiful old hymn that was common when I was a child. It is one my mother sang as she drove home from church. Hearing it brings back sweet memories. Your family harmony makes these videos special. I also look forward to when the twins join you. I hope you don’t wait too long.
Always great to hear the two of y’all. That song was a regular in my church all my life. Listening to your version and the one with your dad I can still hear long departed members of our congregation sing their parts. Thanks for good memories.
Paul, you and Granny sounded amazing on that performance, and it didn’t need polishing. Granny’s sweet voice came through loud and clear, and I loved it.
granny and Paul have great lovely voices singing so does your girls hope granny doing well pray for her all the time have blessed day
I am not the “polished” type person. I like all things in life just as they come. If I were able, I’d be there in the room with you and Granny. I would love to think your videos are a mirror of just that.
Perfection leads to pride and where does pride lead to?
Proverbs 16:18-19 KJV says,
“18. Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.”
I used to play this song when my childhood church needed a pianist. Like I said before, I wasn’t very good, but our pianist moved—so it was me or no music. I agree with Gaylia and Sadie this morning—love to hear Granny singing with Paul and it would be sweet with the girls too. As usual, y’all did great!
Love this wonderful old hymn. And love even more listening to Paul and Granny singing these beautiful hymns.
Great way to start the morning, thank you Paul and Granny, as I have always loved that song and loved to sing it in church.
I always love the sound of Paul and Granny singing together.
Gaylia Green spoke the truth this morning Amen! I thought this song was beautifully done by dear Granny and you, Paul!!! It was a wonderful way to start this day and I thank you! Love Lifted me too! Amen
always love hearing the two of you sing….wish the girls would hurry and do a song or several songs with Granny before she decides her singing days are over…..and of course if you and Tipper were part of that ensemble it would not hurt my feelings in the least
Paul this is one of the first songs I learned in church as we well and you all bring me to tears when I listen what a blessing.
God bless you all
Mike
I really enjoyed this song. Thank you for sharing your gifts.
I haven’t heard this song in a long time. We use to sing it at my church. I love hearing Granny and you singing these old time gospel hymns. Paul, I don’t know anything about music, I only know what sounds good to me, I think you worry too much about trying to get these songs perfect.
The name Shorty made me think of a much loved coworker of mine from back in the 80’s. He was a troubleshooter liked by everyone. He died at a fairly young age from cancer. A troubleshooter was a mechanic that would work on your machine when it broke down.
As I said in my comment on Paul’s video I’ve known several people called Shorty in my life and most of them were noticeably taller than average.
The way to hear those old church hymns is to sing them. Sing them where you are and for only you and God to hear. God knows you’re not perfect and doesn’t expect it.
I sing all day long, all the old songs. People might think I’m crazy if I talk to my self, so I sing. That’s considered normal!
Ed, the Shorty I mentioned was about average height. He was one of the most enjoyable coworkers you could ever want to be around. His job could be nerve wracking at times when they were several machines all down at the same time and everyone wanted theirs fixed first. I never heard him cuss or act like it bothered him. I have him heard him laugh and say if a woman calls you, you had better pretend to do something to their machine, even if you can find nothing wrong, you can come back by ten minutes later and ask if that fixed it and she will say it is now running fine.
I think the Bible mentions a joyful noise/sound, anytime I try to sing more than solo (so low no one can hear me) it comes out more like a painful noise! I like to talk to myself at times, I tell people I like having an intelligent conversation from time to time! I do like listening to the BP&A gang and now the newly discovered Brendenberd Family singing the old time gospel hymns on you tube. Today’s so called religious music does not appeal to me. I had rather do that than watch Gunsmoke on TV.