Wordwise -- Old-Time Christian Hymns -- #5 Quiz

Answer: I Am Going Up

'I Am Going Up' is a Negro Gospel hymn that remains popular to this day. The song is believed to have originated among African American slaves in the southern United States and the author is unknown. The year the hymn made its debut is also unknown. The hymn is featured in a book of Negro Gospel Songs published by William Stickles in 1948.

Here are the words to the Gospel hymn 'I am Going Up':

"Oh, saints an' sinners will -- a you go
See the heavenly land
I'm a going up to heaven for to see my robe
See the heavenly land

Oh, yes I'm going up, going up
Going up all the way, Lord,
Going up to see the heavenly land
Oh, yes I'm going up, going up
Going up all the way, Lord,
Going up to see the heavenly land

Going to see my robe an' try it on
See the heavenly robe
Ti's brighter than the glittering sun
See the heavenly land."

Answer: Our Father in Heaven

Sarah J. Hale based the hymn 'Our Father in Heaven' on the Lord's Prayer, found in Matthew 6:9-13 and Luke 11:2-4. Cyberhymnal.org reports Hale is best known as the author of the poem 'Mary Had a Little Lamb'. She was born in Newport, New Hampshire, in 1788 and died in Philadelphia in 1879.

Here are the words to the hymn 'Our Father in Heaven':

"Our Father in Heaven, we hallow Thy Name;
May Thy kingdom holy on earth be the same;
O give to us daily our portion of bread;
It is from Thy bounty that all must be fed.

Forgive our transgressions, and teach us to know
That humble compassion which pardons each foe;
Keep us from temptation, from evil and sin,
And Thine be the glory, forever! Amen!"

Answer: His Eye is On the Sparrow

'His Eye is on the Sparrow' is an ever popular hymn, especially among African American Christians. Many people believe the hymn originated among Negro slaves in the southern United States, but Wikipedia reports the song was actually written by a white woman from Canada. Her name was Civilla D. Martin. Wikipedia reports Martin's husband Walter Stillman studied ministry at Harvard University and served as a Baptist minister. The two collaborated on a number of hymns which remain popular in evangelical Christian churches around the world.

Here are the words to the Gospel hymn 'His Eye is On the Sparrow':

"Why should I feel discouraged
Why should the shadows come
Why should my heart be lonely
And long for heavenly home
When Jesus is my portion?
My constant friend is He
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me

I sing because I'm happy
I sing because I'm free
For His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me

'Let not your heart be troubled'
His tender word I hear
And resting on His goodness
I loose my doubts and fears
Tho' by the path He leadeth
But one step I may see
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me

Whenever I am tempted
Whenever clouds arise
When song gives place to sighing
When hope within me dies
I draw the closer to Him
For care He sets me free
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know He watches me."

Answer: Sweet Rest in Jesus

Little is known about L.S. Riggs, author of 'Sweet Rest in Jesus'. The website Timelessgtruths.org credits him with writing two hymns, both of them in 1885. His first hymn was 'Holy Spirit Full of Love' and the second hymn was 'Sweet Rest in Jesus'.

'Sweet Rest in Jesus' is believed to have been inspired by the Bible passage Matthew 11:28-30. The verses in the NKJV quote Jesus: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Here are the words to the Gospel hymn 'Sweet Rest in Jesus':

"In Jesus I've found a sweet rest
From sorrow, from toil, and from care;
In Him I am happy and blest,
For He all my burdens doth bear.

Refrain:
Oh, how happy am I,
With my Savior so nigh!
I have found sweet rest
On Jesus' dear breast.

I came to the Lord for release,
When burdened with guilt and with sin;
He cleansed me, and gave me His peace,
The Spirit to witness within.

Refrain

Though many the troubles I meet,
He'll keep me, and help me along;
I'll sit at His glorified feet,
For He is my joy and my song.

Refrain

All glory and praise to Thy name
For what Thou didst suffer for me;
For saving my soul when I came
And gave myself up unto Thee.

Refrain"

Answer: Rest Over Jordan

Fanny Crosby was unstoppable when it came to writing Gospel hymns. Wikipedia reports she wrote more than 8,000 hymns while some other Websites say the total is more like 9,000 because of a number of her works were published under pseudonyms.

To put things in perspective, if someone wrote one hymn every day, it would take more than 21 years to produce 8,000 hymns!

Here are the words to the hymn 'Rest Over Jordan':

"Tis a blessèd hope, and it cheers my soul,
I shall rest by and by over Jordan;
When my work is done and my crown is won,
I shall rest, sweetly rest over Jordan.

Refrain

Over Jordan, over Jordan, I shall rest
Sweetly rest by and by;
'Tis a precious hope, 'tis a blessèd hope,
I shall rest, sweetly rest over Jordan.

'Tis a blessèd hope which my Savior gives,
I shall rest by and by over Jordan;
I shall see Him there in His mansion fair,
When I rest, sweetly rest over Jordan.

Refrain

With a steadfast faith I will labor on,
I shall rest, sweetly rest over Jordan;
O what joy 'twill be the redeemed to see,
When I rest, sweetly rest, over Jordan.

Refrain"

Answer: Resting By and By

Sidney Dyer is one of a number of hymn writers whose works live on, but little is known about him.

Cyberhymnal.org, for example, reports the only information known about Dyer is that he was a clergyman. His hymn 'Resting By and By' was set to music by Robert Lowry, a major force in the old-time Gospel hymn scene.

Here are the words to the hymn "Resting By and By':

"When faint and weary toiling,
The sweat-drops on my brow,
I long to rest for labor,
To drop the burden now-
There comes a gentle chiding,
To quell each mourning sigh:
'Work while the day is shining,
There's resting by and by.'

Refrain

Resting by and by,
There's resting by and by;
We shall not always labor,
We shall not always cry;
The end is drawing nearer,
The end for which we sigh;
We'll lay our heavy burdens down,
There's resting by and by.

This life to toil is given,
And he improves it best
Who seeks by patient labor
To enter into rest;
Then pilgrim, worn and weary,
Press on, the goal is nigh;
The prize is straight before thee,
There's resting by and by.

Refrain

Nor ask when overburdened,
You long for friendly aid,
"Why idle stands my brother,
No yoke upon him laid?"
The Master bids him tarry;
And dare you ask Him why?
'Go labor in My vineyard,
There's resting by and by.'

Refrain

Wan reaper in the harvest,
Let this thy strength sustain,
Each sheaf that fills the garner
Brings you eternal gain;
Then bear the cross with patience,
To fields of duty hie;
'Tis sweet to work for Jesus --
There's resting by and by.

Refrain"

Answer: Safe in the Arms of Jesus

'Safe in the Arms of Jesus' was written by Fanny Crosby, the queen of old-time Gospel hymns. According to Cyberhymnal.org the hymn was played on Au­gust 8, 1885, when U.S. Pre­si­dent Ulys­ses S. Grant was laid to rest in Ri­ver­side Park, on the banks of the Hud­son Ri­ver.

Here are the words to the hymn 'Safe in the Arms of Jesus':

"Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast,
There by His love o'ershaded, sweetly my soul shall rest.
Hark! 'tis the voice of angels, borne in a song to me.
Over the fields of glory, over the jasper sea.

Refrain

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast
There by His love o'ershaded, sweetly my soul shall rest.

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe from corroding care,
Safe from the world's temptations, sin cannot harm me there.
Free from the blight of sorrow, free from my doubts and fears;
Only a few more trials, only a few more tears!

Refrain

Jesus, my heart's dear Refuge, Jesus has died for me;
Firm on the Rock of Ages, ever my trust shall be.
Here let me wait with patience, wait till the night is over;
Wait till I see the morning break on the golden shore.

Refrain"

Answer: Trust in the Promise

'Trust in the Promise' is one of thousands of old old-time Gospel hymns written by Fanny Crosby. She lost her sight when she was six weeks old and insisted if she could regain her eyesight she would decline because it would make her less dependent on Jesus.

Hymnal publishers insisted she use pseudonyms because if she didn't it would appears as if she wrote the overwhelming majority of songs in any hymn book they published.

Here is a list of pseudonyms of Fanny Crosby from Hymnary.org: "A.V., Mrs. A.E. Andrews, Mrs. E.A. Andrews, Mrs. E.L. Andrews, James L. Black, Henrietta E. Blair, Charles Bruce, Robert Bruce, Leah Carlton, Eleanor Craddock, Lyman G. Cuyler, D.H.W., Ella Dare, Ellen Dare, Lizzie Edwards, Miss Grace Elliot, Grace J. Frances, Victoria Frances, Jennie Garnett, Frank Gould, Frances Hope, Annie L. James, Martha J. Lankton, Grace Lindsey, Maud Marion, Sallie Martin, Alice Monteith, Mrs. N. D. Plume, Sallie Smith, J.L. Sterling, John Sterling, Julia Sterling, Ida Scott Taylor, Mary R. Tilden, Carrie M. Wilson, Clara M. Wilson, and W.H.D."

Here are the words to the old-time Gospel hymn 'Trust in the Promise':

"Brother, is your face toward the Canaan of rest?
Trust in the promise of the Savior;
Sister, are you bound for the home of the blest?
Trust in the promise of thy Lord.

Refrain

He will walk beside us, in His mercy hide us;
With His eye He'll guide us, trust in Him.
Yes, we'll trust in Jesus. Yes, we'll trust in Jesus.
He'll forsake us never, trust in Him.

Brother, is your faith looking upward today?
Trust in the promise of the Savior.
Sister, is the light shining bright on your way?
Trust in the promise of thy Lord.

Refrain

Brother, persevere and be firm to the last,
Trust in the promise of the Savior;
Sister, you shall rest when your labor is past,
Trust in the promise of thy Lord.

Refrain"

Answer: The Ten Virgins

Mary B. Slade was born in 1826 in Fall Ri­ver, Mass­a­chu­setts. Cyberhymnal.org reports she was a teacher and minister's wife and also served as as­sist­ant ed­it­or of The New Eng­land Jour­nal of Ed­u­ca­tion. The title for the hymn comes from the parable by Jesus about the Ten Virgins with five of them being wise and five foolish. The parable is found in Matthew 25:1-13.

Here are the words to the hymn 'The Ten Virgins':

"Once, forth to meet the bridegroom,
At night ten virgins went;
Five lamps were trimmed for burning,
In five the oil was spent,
And while they slept and slumbered,
At midnight rose the shout
Behold the bridegroom cometh,
To meet him go ye out.

Refrain

Watch ye, therefore, watch I say,
Watch ye, therefore, watch and pray;
Ye know not the hour, ye know not the day
The Son of Man may come.

Then all the foolish virgins
Their need began to tell;
And all the wise ones answered,
Go ye to them that sell.
The foolish virgins hastened,
In darkness, fear, and shame,
The wise ones ready waited,
And lo the bridegroom came!

Refrain

Lord, Lord, unto us open,
The foolish virgins cried;
'I know ye not,' unto them
The bridegroom's voice replied.
O Christians, learn the lesson,
Your lamps be wise and trim,
And when the Bridegroom cometh,
Go gladly in with Him.

Refrain"

Answer: The Two Views

William A. Dunkerley was born in Manchester, England in 1852, Man­ches­ter, Eng­land. Cyberhymnal.org reports Dunkerley was "an ex­pert mount­ain climb­er and served as dea­con and teach­er at the Eu­ling Con­gre­ga­tion­al Church in Lon­don." He is credited with writing more than forty novels and books of verse.

Here are the words to the hymn 'The Two Views':

"To man, it seemed that Evil had prevailed,
That His fair life had altogether failed,
And naught was left but what the Cross impaled --
But God saw otherwise!

They would have hailed Him King, and with acclaim,
Upon the wings of His far reaching fame,
Have swept the land like a devouring flame;
But God saw otherwise!

It seemed as though His life had gone for naught-
Nothing to show for that long battle fought,
But a pale prisoner to the gibbet brought-
But God saw otherwise!

No lasting good seemed ever like to come
Of all His sowing-neither fruit nor bloom,
Instead -- a felon's cross, an alien tomb --
But God saw otherwise!

We, too, at times, come nigh to lose our hope,
When with life's evils we no more can cope,
And in the dark with heavy hearts we grope;
But God saw otherwise!"