The First Noel

The First Noel



Where does "Noel" come from?  Some scholars claim that Noel is "French" and means "a shout of joy" at the birth of Jesus.  Others claim it comes from the Medieval Latin word "Natalis" which means birth, which is why some would refer to Christmas as "His natal day."  There is another Latin word "novella", which could be the source of "noel" which means "news" which corresponds with the idea of Jesus' birth which causes shouts of great joy because of His birth at Christmas.  Other scholars say that the original English spelling is "nowell" instead of the French word "noel."

An example of this changing over the centuries is the English people took the parting phrase they gave each other, "Fare thee well," and made it into one word, "Farewell."  They also took the phrase "God be with you," and shortened it into "goodbye."  Similarly, if the word "nowell" was first a phrase rather than a word, then maybe it was something like "Now all is well!"  The early English greeted each other every Christmas morning by shouting "Now all is well;" because God has provided his son as a light for the world!"  Eventually, "Now all is well" became simply "Now well," and was later "Nowell."

"The First Noel" has been a popular carol for almost 30 years, and is about the oldest common carol in the English language.  It's known for its simplicity and sincerity.  After traveling through word of mouth for many years, "The First Noel" was finally written down with the tune correct, and printed for the first time in a collection of Christmas carols published in 1833.

The first Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields as they lay, keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

They look up and saw a star
Shining in the east beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.  Refrain.

And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from country far;
To seek for a king was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.  Refrain

This star drew nigh to the northwest,
O'er Bethlehem it took it rest,
And there it did both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay.  Refrain

Then entered in those wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee,
And offered there in his presence
Their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.  Refrain

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord;
That hath made Heaven and earth of naught,
And with his blood mankind hath bought.  Refarin

Away in a Manger

(The information is from Melissa Roberts on December 21, 2008)

"Away in a Manger" began in the American Lutheran tradition and offers a lullaby to baby Jesus and all who rest with him.  "Away in a Manger," like many tunes on the radio during the holiday season, has a colorful history and tradition rooted in Christian worship.  Long attributed to a lullaby Martin Luther, the Protestant reformer, sang to his children, the truth about "Away in a Manger," honors Luther and his spirit of seeking comfort and rest in God. 

Nobody is certin who wrote the first two verses of "Away in a Manger" (the third verse was written by Charles Gabriel).  For many years, Martin Luther, the Catholic friar responsible for the rise of Protestantism in Europe and founder of today's Lutheran churches, received credit for the song.  In reality, the words are much younger, dating from the late 19th century and originating in America, not Germany.  Richard S. Hill, librarian at the Library of Congress, researched the origins of "Away in a Manger" and found that it originated from celebrations of Martin Luther's 400th birthday among Lutheran churches in the U.S. in 1883.  Hill concluded from his research that an unknown person or persons wrote the words of "Away in a Manger" as a poem for use in a children's play at one such Luther birthday party.

Away in a Manger
No crib for His bed
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head

The stars in the bright sky
Looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing
The poor Baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes

I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my side,
'Til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to say
Close by me forever
And love me I pray

Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there

I Heard the Bells of Christmas Day

(Written by Tom Stewart)

One of America's best known poets, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882), penned this particular carol sung each Christmas season, when he composed the words to "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" on December 25, 1864.  "Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14).  The carol was originally a poem, "Christmas Bells," containing seven stanzas.  Two stanzas were omitted which contained references to the American Civil War, thus giving the carol its present form.  The poem gave birth to the carol, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day," and the remaining five stanzas were slightly rearranged in 1872 by John Baptiste Calkin (1827-1905), who also gave us the memorable tune.  When Longfellow penned the words to his poem, America was still months away from Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomattox Court House on April 9th 1865; and, his poem reflected the prior years of the war's despair, while ending with a confident hope of triumphant peace. 

As with any composition that touches the heart of the hearer, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" flowed from the experience of Longfellow--involving the tragic death of his wife Fanny and the crippling injury of his son Charles from war wounds.  "My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue" (Psalm 39:3).  Henry married Frances Appleton on July 13th 1843, and they settled down in the historic Craigie House overlooking the Charles River in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  They were blessed with the birth of their first child, Charles, on June 9, 1844, and eventually, the Longfellow household numbered five children--Charles, Ernest, Alice, Edith, and Allegra.  "Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers" (Proverbs 17:6).  Alice, the Longfellow's third child and first daughter, was delivered, while her mother was under the anesthetic influence of ether--the first in North America.  "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the Earth, and subdue it: and have dominion..." (Genesis 1:28).

Tragedy struck both the nation and the Longfellow family in 1861.  Confederate General Pierre G.T. Beauregard fired the opening salvos of the American Civil War on April 12th, and Fanny Longfellow was fatally burned in an accident in the library of Craigie House on July 10th.  The day before the accident, Fanny Longfellow recorded in her journal: "We are still sighing for the good sea breeze instead of this stifling land one filled with dust.  Poor Allegra is droopy with heat, and Eddie has to get her hair in a net to free her neck from the weight.  After trimming some of seven year old Edith's beautiful curls, Fanny decided to preserve the clippings in sealing wax.  Melting a bar of sealing wax with a candle, a few drops fell unnoticed on her dress.  The sea breeze gusted through the window, igniting the light material on Fanny's dress and she was in flames.  Henry tried to put out the flames by throwing his arms around Frances--severely burning his face, arms, and hands.  Fanny Longfellow died the next morning.  As a result, Henry grew the trademark beard due to the burns he received on his face. 

The first Christmas after Fanny's death, Longfellow wrote, "How inexpressibly sad are all holidays."  A year after the incident, he wrote, "I can make no record of these days.  Better leave them wrapped in silence.  Longfellow wrote in his journal on December 25, 1862 "A merry Christmas say the children, but that is no more for me."  Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance" (Psalms 42:5). Almost a year later, Lonfellow received word that his oldest son Charles, a lieutenant in the Army of the Potomac, had been severely wounded with a bullet passing under his shoulder blades and taking off one of the spinal processes.  The Christmas of 1863 was silent in Longfellow's journal.  Finally on Christmas Day of 1864, he wrote the words of the poem, "Christmas Bells."  The re-election of Abraham Lincoln or the possible end of the terrible war may have been the occasion for the poem.  Lt. Charles Longfellow didn't die that Christmas, but lived.  So, contrary to popular belief, the occasion of writing that much loved Christmas carol was not due to Charles' death.  Longfellow's Christmas bells loudly proclaimed "God is not dead."  "The LORD liveth, in Truth, in judgment, and in Righteousness; and the nations shall bless themselves in Him, and in Him shall they glory" (Jeremiah 4:2)  Even more the bells announced, "Nor doth He sleep."  "Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep" (Psalm 121:4).  God's Truth, Power, and Justice are affirmed, when Longfellow wrote: "The wrong shall fail, the right prevail."  "To finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in Everlasting Righteousness" (Daniel 9:24).  The message that the Living God is a God of Peace is proclaimed in the close of the carol: "Of peace on Earth, good will to men." 

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along
The unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till, ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime
A chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each blank accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound
The carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn
The households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead; nor doth he sleep!
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men!"

God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman

God rest ye merry gentlemen
Let nothing you dismay
Remember, Christ our Savior
Was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan's power
When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

In Bethlehem, in Israel,
This blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger
Upon this blessed morn
The which His mother Mary
Did nothing take in scorn
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

From God our Heavenly Father
A blessed Angel came;
And unto certain Shepherds
Brought tidings of the same:
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by name.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

"Fear not then" said the Angel
"Let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Savior
Of a pure Virgin bright
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan's power and might"
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding
In tempest, storm and wind:
And went to Bethlehem straightway
The Son of God to find.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

And when they came to Bethlehem
Where our dear Savior lay,
They found Him in a manger,
Where oxen feed on hay;
His Mother Mary kneeling down,
Unto the Lord did pray;
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy
O tidings of comfort and joy

The Little Drummer Boy

Come they told me
Pa rum pum pum pum
A new born king to see
Pa rum pum pum pum

Our finest gifts we bring
Pa rum pum pum pum
To lay before the king
Pa rum pum pum pum
rum pum pum pum
rum pum pum pum

So to honor him
Pa rum pum pum pum
When we come

Little baby
Pa rum pum pum
I am a poor boy too
Pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring
Pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give our King
Pa rum pum pum pum
rum pum pum pum
rum pum pum pum

Shall I play for you
Pa rum pum pum pum
On my drum

Mary nodded
Pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my best for Him
Pa rum pum pum pum
rum pum pum pum
rum pum pum pum

Then He smiled at me
Pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum

(About.com) "Little Drummer Boy" was originally entitled "Carol of the drums" because of the repeating line Pa rum pum pum pum which imitates the sound of a drum.

The song "Little Drummer Boy" was believed to be written by Katherine K. Davis in 1941 based on an old czech carol.  Other names credited for this song are Henry Onarati and Harry Simeone.  A claymation version based on this song was produced by Rankin-Bass for television in 1968 with the voice of Eileen Evelyn Greer Garson narrating.

The First Noel

Where does "Noel" come from?  Some scholars claim that Noel is "French" and means "a shout of joy" at the birth of Jesus.  Others claim it comes from the Medieval Latin word "Natalis" which means birth, which is why some would refer to Christmas as "His natal day."  There is another Latin word "novella", which could be the source of "noel" which means "news" which corresponds with the idea of Jesus' birth which causes shouts of great joy because of His birth at Christmas.  Other scholars say that the original English spelling is "nowell" instead of the French word "noel." 

An example of this changing over the centuries is the English people took the parting phrase they gave each other, "Fare thee well," and made it into one word, "Farewell."  They also took the phrase "God be with you," and shortened it into "goodbye."  Similarly, if the word "nowell" was first a phrase rather than a word, then maybe it was something like "Now all is well!"  The early English greeted each other every Christmas morning by shouting "Now all is well;" because God has provided his son as a light for the world!"  Eventually, "Now all is well" became simply "Now well," and was later "Nowell." 

"The First Noel" has been a popular carol for almost 30 years, and is about the oldest common carol in the English language.  It's known for its simplicity and sincerity.  After traveling through word of mouth for many years, "The First Noel" was finally written down with the tune correct, and printed for the first time in a collection of Christmas carols published in 1833. 

The first Noel the angel did say
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields as they lay, keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter's night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel,
Born is the King of Israel.

They look up and saw a star
Shining in the east beyond them far,
And to the earth it gave great light,
And so it continued both day and night.  Refrain.

And by the light of that same star
Three wise men came from country far;
To seek for a king was their intent,
And to follow the star wherever it went.  Refrain

This star drew nigh to the northwest,
O'er Bethlehem it took it rest,
And there it did both stop and stay
Right over the place where Jesus lay.  Refrain

Then entered in those wise men three
Full reverently upon their knee,
And offered there in his presence
Their gold, and myrrh, and frankincense.  Refrain

Then let us all with one accord
Sing praises to our heavenly Lord;
That hath made Heaven and earth of naught,
And with his blood mankind hath bought.  Refarin

What Child is This?

"What Chis Is This?" is one of the most moving and beautiful Victorian carols.  It's history can be traced back farther than the days of the infamous Henry VIII.  It dates from Elizabethan time, possibly even earlier.  The melody is the beautiful Greensleeves.  This haunting melody, is often associated with guitar or harpischord solos.  As an ancient English folk song, there have been more than twenty different know lyrics associated with it throughout history and many more might have been lost.  It was first published in 1652.  For much of its early life, the tune known as "Greensleeves" was associated with pubs as a popular drinking song.  Although God is mentioned in a closing verse of the best-known lyrics, nothing about the song closely resembled  a religious piece; it was simply one of the era's most popular folk songs.  The song was first registered in 1850 to Richard Jones with lyrics that were neither religious nor respectable.  Shakespeare mentions it by name in "The Merry Wives of Windsor" in which it is played while traitors are hanged. 

In 1865 Englishman William Chatterton Dix wrote" The Manger Throne," three verses of which became "What Child Is This?"  In the era while Dix was writing hymns and raising a family, Christmas was not the celebration it is today.  Neither was it a season where many openly celebrated the birth of Christ.  Conservative Christian churches forbade gift-giving, decorating, or even acknowledging the day.  These Puritan groups feared that if set aside as a special day, Christmas would become a day of pagan rituals more than a serious time of worship.  In this context, it was unusual for Dix to feel moved to write about Christ's birth, since many hymn writers of the period ignored Christmas altogether.

The song's powerful words presented a unique view of the birth of Christ.  While the baby was the focal point of the song, the viewpoint of the writer seemed to be that of an almost confused observer.  Dix imagined visitors to the humble manger wondering who the child was that lay before them.  He wove a story of a child's birth, life, death, and resurrection, but in each verse it was answered with a triumphant declaration the infant's divine nature.

Dix published "The Manger Throne" in England jsut as the U.S. Civil War was ending.  The song was quickly important from Britain to the United States.  Dix, who died in 1898, lived long enough to see "The Manger Throne" become the much beloved Christmas carol "What Child Is This?"

What Child is this, who, laid to rest
On Mary's lap, is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?

This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Haste, haste to bring him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear for sinners here,
The silent Word is pleading.

This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing:

Hail, Hail, the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him,
The King of kings, salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.

Raise, raise the song on high,
The Virgin sings her lullaby:
Joy, joy, for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary!

"Stories Behind the Best Loved Songs of Christmas, Ace Collins, 2001"
"The Spirit of Christmas: A History of Best-Loved Carols, Virginia Reynolds, 2000"

Christmas Traditions: The 12 Days of Christmas

The twelve days of Christmas are the twelve days between Christmas Day, December 25th, the birth of Jesus, and the Epiphany, January 6th, the day Christians celebrate the arrival of the Magi (Wise Men) and the revelation of Christ as the light of the world.  The Christmas song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas" may sound silly and contrived to many of us.  But it actually had its origins in religious symbolism--and with a serious purpose.  It dates from a time of religious persecution.  The song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas," was written as a kind of secret catechism that could sing in public without fear of arrest--a learning or memory aid to Christians in fact.  The song can be taken at two levels of interpretation--the surface meaning, or the hidden meaning known only to the Christians involved.  Each element is a code word for a religious truth. 

1.  The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus.

2.  The two turtledoves are the Old and New Testaments.

3.  Three French hens stand for faith, hope and love.

4.  The four calling birds are the four Gospels.

5.  The five gold rings recall the Hebrew Torah (Law), or the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament.

6.  The six geese a-laying stand for the six days of creation.

7.  The seven swans a-swimming represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

8.  The eight maids a-milking are the eight Beatitudes.

9.  Nine ladies dancing are the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit.

10.  The ten lords a-leaping are the Ten Commandments.

11.  Eleven pipers piping represent the eleven faithful Apostles.

12.  Twelve drummers drumming symbolize the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles Creed.

The "true love" in the song refers to God himself.  The "me" receiving the gifts is every Christian.  So that "silly" song we sing at Christmas time has more meaning that one may realize.

When you sing the song, it starts out as "On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me...."  then it's on down the line to "the second day of Christmas all the way up to the twelveth day of Christmas." 

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

It came upon the midnight clear,
That glorious song of old,
From Angels bending near the earth,
To touch their harps of gold!
Peace on the earth good will to men,
From Heaven's all gracious King!
The world in solemn stillness lay,
To hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come,
With peaceful wings unfurled,
And still their heavenly music floats,
O'er all the weary world;
Above its sad and lowly plains,
They bend on hovering wing.
And ever o'er its Babel sounds,
The blessed angels sing.

Yet with the woes of sin and strife,
The world hath suffered long;
Beneath the angel strain hath rolled,
Two thousand years of wrong;
And man, at war with man, hears not,
The love song which they bring:
Oh hush the noise ye men of strife,
And hear the angels sing.

For lo! the days are hastening on,
By prophet bards foretold,
When, with the ever-circling years,
Shall come the Age of Gold;
When peace shall over all the earth,
Its ancient splendors fling,
And all the world give back the song,
Which now the angels sing.

It came upon a Midnight Clear was written by Edmund Sears and composer Richard Willis, a carol that speaks of angels and the nativity.  It's a popular nativity hymn sung every Christmas season.  The lyrics were written by Edmund H. Sears (1810-1876), and the tune was composed by Richard S. Willis (1819-1900).  The song is all about hope and peace brought by the angels as a message.

One of the first Christian hymns written by an American writer and published in the "Christian Register" in 1849, "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" emphasizes the social implications of the angels' message: achieving peace and good will toward our fellowmen in the midst of social difficulty.  The writing of this text occurred in a period in our country where there was much unrest, especially the foreboding of the tensions between the Northern and the Southern States, social upheaval due to industrial revolution, and the time of the "Forty-niner" gold rush.  The hymn text was considered to have addressed these difficulties, urging folks to listen once again to the angels singing.  The final stanza is a verse of hopeful optimism: "When peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendors fling, and the whole world gives back the song, which now the angels sing." 

Edmund Sears, wrote a number of publications, but authored only two hymn texts, intended for the Christmas season.  His first carol hymn was written while a student in Harvard Divinity School, was "Calm on the Listening Ear of Night."  This hymn is also included in various hymnals today, but it's not as popular as "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" written 15 years later. 

(Suite101.com) 

Source:

101 More Hymn Stories by Kenneth W. Osbeck, Kregel Publications (1982)

Mary Did You Know?

Mary did you know that your baby boy would someday walk on water?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you have delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary did you know that your baby boy would give sight to a blind man?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
And when you kiss your little baby, you have kissed the face of God.

Oh Mary did you know-----

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb---

Mary did your know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is Heaven's perfect lamb?
This sleeping child you're holding is the great---I-----AM--.

In the Valley He Restoreth My Soul (The song)

YouTube - The Rambos-In The Valley He Restoreth My Soul.wmv

This song was penned by the late Dottie Rambo several years ago.  I have a YouTube clip linked to this post where the Singing Rambos are performing this song.  I hope you enjoy it. 

(Psalm 23) "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." 

When I'm low in spirit I cry Lord lift me up
I want to go higher with Thee
But nothing grows high on a mountain
So he picked out a valley for me.

And he leads me beside still waters
Somewhere in the valley below
And he draws me aside to be tested and tried
In the valley He restoreth my soul.

------------------------Instrumental-----------------------------------------

It's dark as a dungeon and the sun seldom shines
And I question Lord why must this be
Then He tells me there's strength in my sorrow
And there's victory in trials for me. 

And he leads me beside still waters
Somewhere in the valley below
And he draws me aside to be tested and tried
In the valley He restoreth my soul.

Amazing Grace

YouTube - Inspirations- Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace how sweet the sound,
That Saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind but now I see.

Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come;
Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we first begun

It was for Me--Pleasant View Baptist Church Youth Choir at State Competition

YouTube - Senior High Choral Group Performing It Was For Me

This song was performed by the Pleasant View Baptist Church Youth Choir from McQuady, Kentucky.  I believe they were performing at a State Competition in Louisville.  I hope you enjoy the song.   (Isaiah 53:5-6)  "For he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." 

Why leave a heavn'ly mansion?
Why choose a simple stall?
Why wander poor and hopeless,
The king and Lord of all?
Why heal a lonely beggar?
Why cause the blind to see?
The light of all creation,
Shining there for me?

Chorus:
It was for me he cried, for me he died,
For me he shed his blood upon the tree.
It was for me he came, for me his shame;
For me, oh praise His name, it was for me.

Why stay in Olive's Garden?
Why spend the night in prayer?
Why suffer such betrayal
In anguish kneeling there?
Why leave his mother crying?
Why set Barabbas free?
The spotless lamb of Heaven
Given there for me.

Why climb that dreadful moutain?
Why suffer agony?
Why give his blood a fountain,
Spilled and broken, flowing free?
When he walked the road to Calv'ry
Gave His life so willingly,
Broken there, the rose of Sharon died for me.

Chorus:
The king who came from Heaven,
To the cry, "There is no room,"
Now must lay his weary body
In a cold and borrowed tomb.
But the grave, it would not hold Him;
Death lost its victory.
The risen Lord of glory
is living now for me.

It was for me he cried, for me he died,
For me he shed his blood upon the tree.
It was for me He came, for me His shame;
For me, oh praise His name, it was for me.

Dave Bolling

There's Nothing My God Can't Do--Dottie Rambo

YouTube - There's Nothing My God Can't Do

He measured the sea in the span of his hand.
Mountains were placed at His command.
And at the sound of his voice the sun shines through,
And there's nothing, no nothing, that my God can't do.

Chorus:

There's nothing, no nothing, there's nothing
That my God can't do.
Miracles and wonders, and there's nothing,
No nothing, that my God can't do.

He's so great, He holds the world in the palm of His hand
He's so small that He can live within the heart of a man.
He's the mystery of great mysteries, but, oh so true
And there's nothing, no nothing, that my God can't do.

Chorus:

There's nothing, no nothing, there's nothing
That my God can't do.
Miracles and wonders, and there's nothing,
No nothing, that my God can't do.

I Pledge My Allegiance

YouTube - I Pledge My Allegiance - Gaither Vocal Band

In the mid-western town children form a parade.
With the flag bearers leading the way
There's farmers and teachers, the old and the young
Lift together their voices to say.

(Chorus)
I pledge my allegiance to the grand oh flag
And the promise of hope from sea to sea
Under God one nation undivided we will stand
Lift the banner of liberty.

It's the final kickoff for the NFL and the stadium is packed with screaming fans
All the banners are flying
The color guards advance like a wave
Silence moves through the stand

(Chorus)
I pledge my allegiance to the grand oh flag
And the promise of hope from sea to sea
Under God one nation undivided we will stand
Lift the banner of liberty.

Where a child is hungry, Where men have no homes, Where the powerless are yearning to breathe free,
Oh may we fight for justice till there's justice for all and become what God made us to be.

(Chorus)
I pledge my allegiance to the grand oh flag
And the promise of hope from sea to sea
Under God one nation undivided we will stand
Lift the banner of liberty.

This is My Country

YouTube - Kassidy "This is My Country"

This song was composed in 1940 by the popular songwriters Don Raye and Al Jacobs. I'm proud to be an American and the opportunity to live in such a great country. Even though America has its faults like any other country, I don't desire to live anywhere else. When you recognize the rich history behind our nation, you have to say that God has truly blessed us. I believe the reason why we can still say we're a blessed nation is due to not only the longsuffering of God, but our forefathers and many generations succeeding them had a heart to serve God. They knew what liberty meant and they used it to honor God. Not everyone in this nation was a Christian, but there was a select group of people who were Christians that honored God with their lives and testimony. The church at one time held a standard in this country. Today it's very difficult to distinguish the church from the world. Since the church no longer holds the standard that it once did, America is falling by the wayside. In the midst of all the wickedness that's prevalent in society today, I'm glad to say that this is my country, land of my birth. I pledge my allegiance to the grand old flag. Happy Independence Day!

This is my country! Land of my birth!

This is my country! Grandest on earth!

I pledge thee my allegiance, America the bold!

For this is my country to have and to hold!

This is my country! Land of my choice!

This is my country! Hear my proud voice!

I pledge thee my allegiance, America, the bold!

For this is my country to have and to hold!

Let Freedom Ring (The Song)

YouTube - Gaither Vocal Band - Let Freedom Ring

Deep within the heart has always known that there was freedom
Somehow breathed into the very soul alive
The prisoner, the powerless, the same have always known it
There's something that keeps reaching for the sky

Even life begins because a baby fights for freedom
And songs we love to sing have freedom's theme
Some have walked through fire and flood to find a place of freedom
And some faced hell itself for freedom's ring

Let freedom ring wherever minds know what it means to be in chains
Let freedom ring wherever hearts know pain
Let freedom echo through the lonely streets where prisons have no key
We can be free and we can sing--let freedom ring

God built freedom into every fiber of creation
And he meant for us to all be free and whole
When my Lord bought freedom with the blood of his redemption
His cross stamped pardon on my very soul

I'll sing it out with every breath, I'll let the whole world hear it
This hallelujah anthem of the free
That iron bars and heavy chains can never hold us captive
The Son has made us free and free indeed

Let freedom ring down through the ages from a hill called Calvary
Let freedom ring wherever hearts know pain
Let freedom echo through the lonely streets where prisons have no key
You can be free and you can sing let freedom ring
Let freedom echo through the lonely streets where prisons have no key
You can be free and you can sing let freedom ring
You can be free and you can sing--let freedom ring--let freedom ring

The Star Spangled Banner

YouTube - The Star Spangled Banner - Long Version

This song was written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 during the Battle of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. The Star Spangled Banner became the national anthem on March 3, 1931 by a resolution of Congress and was signed by President Herbert Hoover. This song is traditionally played prior to the commencement of public sporting events and orchestral concerts.

O Say can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thru the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land and of the free and the home of the brave

O thus be it ever, when free men shall stand
Between their loved homes and war's desolation!
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Pow'r that hath made and preserved us a nation!

Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just;
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land and of the free and the home of the brave!

Background Behind "Holy Spirit Thou Art Welcome in this Place"

YouTube - Dottie Rambo Home-Going-1 - Holy Spirit Thou Art Welcome

Dottie Rambo probably penned this song sometime in the early 70's. During that time she and her family (The Rambos: Buck, Dottie, and Reba) had the opportunity to sing behind the Iron Curtain. When they sang in that area they were instructed they couldn't tell or mention to anyone anything about Jesus, the blood of Jesus, or salvation. They could sing all their songs they normally sing, but they couldn't say anything about Jesus in-between songs. One evening following their concert, their organizer decided to send them to a local bistro not far from where they're staying. Dottie noticed when she was outside how dark, dreary, and oppressive the spirit was in that area behind the Iron Curtain. Dottie had purposed in her heart to find someone in the restaurant that may know Jesus so she could encourage them. She was told she couldn't mention Jesus at the restaurant. Dottie had a pamphlet with Psalms 23 on one side and Jesus with a little lamb on his shoulder on the other side. She had it in the palm of her hand and the waitress came by her table and saw it and the waitress mentioned Jesus's name and said she loved him. The people at her table were scared and were fearful they could be arrested. They immediately left and as she was walking outside she was thinking to herself, "Nobody here may want Jesus, but you're wanted 'here'". She was speaking in reference to her heart. Hence, the song was birthed by the time she had went into the van that evening. Many people when they sing that song misinterpret that Dottie was making reference to being welcome in the churches. Dottie was making reference to an individual's own heart. I was thinking about the different places where we as Christians should desire the Holy Spirit to be. First of all, we should desire for the sinner to repent so the Holy Spirit could take abode in their hearts. We should welcome the Holy Spirit to work in our lives as Christians like he so desires. Lastly, we should desire for the Holy Spirit to be welcome and have his way within the confines of the local church. I believe if the Holy Spirit is welcome to work within our lives like he should, it will spill over into the church.

Holy Spirit Thou art welcome in this place
Holy Spirit Thou art welcome in this place
Omnipotent Father of Mercy and Grace
Thou art welcome in this place

Lord in Thy presence there's healing divine
No other power can save Lord, but Thine
Holy Spirit Thou art welcome in this place
Thou art welcome in this place

Holy Spirit Thou art welcome in this place
Holy Spirit Thou art welcome in this place
Omnipotent Father of Mercy and Grace
Thou art welcome in this place

Fill all the hungry and empty within
Restore us, oh Father revive us again
Holy Spirit Thou art welcome in this place
Holy Spirit Thou Art welcome in this place

God, Forgive Me When I Whine

By Og Mandino (Recited by George Younce of the Cathedrals)

Today, upon a bus,

I saw a girl with golden hair.

I envied her, she seemed so gay,

And I wished I was as fair.

When suddenly she rose to leave,

I saw her hobble down the aisle.

She had one leg and used a crutch.

But as she passed, she gave a smile.

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.

I have two legs, the world is mine.

I stopped to buy some candy.

The lad who sold it had such charm.

I talked with him, he seemed so glad.

If I were late, It'd do no harm.

And as I left, he said to me,

"I thank you, you've been so kind.

It's nice to talk with folks like you.

"You see," he said, "I'm blind."

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.

I have two legs, the world is mine.

Later while walking down the street,

I saw a child with eyes of blue.

He stood and watched the others play.

He seemed not to know what to do.

I stopped a moment and then I said,

"Why don't you join the others dear?"

He looked ahead without a word.

And then I knew he couldn't hear.

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.

I have two ears, the world is mine.

With feet to take me where I'd go.

With eyes to see the sunset's glow.

With ears to hear what I'd know.

Oh, God, forgive me when I whine.

I've been blessed indeed, the world is mine.