Historical Roots of the Songs and Hymns We Love
If you would like to receive these monthly posts by email, please subscribe below.
“Jesus Loves Me”
Some people might think this simple children’s hymn is an unlikely one to be the basis for a big band song, but it is one we often perform, featuring a saxophone solo. Susan and Anna Warner were the daughters of attorney Henry Whiting Warner. Susan Bogert Warner was born July 11, 1819 in New York,…
“Higher Ground”
We often close our performances with a long time signature tune that is based on the old familiar hymn named “Higher Ground.” The lyrics to the original hymn were composed by Johnson Oatman, Jr. (1856 – 1922). According to a biographical newspaper article about him, Oatman’s father Johnson Oatman, Sr. had a rich and powerful…
“The Star Spangled Banner”
The band has a number of swing arrangements of historic American patriotic songs. One of them that we enjoy playing is “The Star Spangled Banner.” Below is a short history of the original song, composed over 200 years ago. The individual who wrote the lyrics to our National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner,” was Francis…
“The Solid Rock”
One of the oldest tunes in our library is an arrangement of the classic hymn, “The Solid Rock.” The original hymn was written by Edward Mote, a British cabinetmaker who later became a Baptist pastor. Mote grew up in a poor, non-religious home. For whatever reason, his parents would not allow a Bible in their…
“Abide With Me”
This is another classic hymn that is the core of one of our band’s standard tunes, “Abide With Me.” Based on the Bible verse John 15:7 (NASB) “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” This is not a prosperity gospel…
“When The Saints Go Marching In”
This tune is one we often play in our performances. It is usually considered a traditional song having no documented composer and is not found in printed hymn books. Two names are sometimes associated with it in the earliest known published music. In 1923 the composers were listed as Katherine E. Purvis for the lyrics…
“Praise Ye The Lord, The Almighty”
Many of our big band songs are arrangements of classic hymns. From time to time, we will post the stories behind the hymns and hymntunes. The hymn “Praise Ye the Lord, the Almighty” is one of the most beloved traditional Christian hymns. It’s history dates back more than 300 years. The lyrics were originally written…
We are DCJB
“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.” Psalm 100
