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"BEAUTIES OF THY TRUTH AND HOLINESS IMPART...."
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If you've been a church music director, studying and directing hymns for a good part of your life, what do you say when someone asks: "Well, what is your favorite hymn?"
The answer is-- it's kind of like having a big room full of children--you love them all. There are several dozen that I particularly like. At the top is "Eternal Father, Strong To Save," (The "Navy Hymn'), "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah," (CWM RHONDDA), and "O God Our Help In Ages Past." Read this stanza of that hymn: "A thousand ages in Thy sight, are like an evening gone..." Then there is the little used or known "O Day of Rest and Gladness," as sung to the "MENDEBRAS" tune. Read the text to that one, and listen to the smooth flowing tune.
We have not even discussed "gospel songs." While "hymns" are usually stately, good poetic quality, God-ward directed, praiseful, and having strong tunes, our "gospel songs" are about our personal spiritual experiences and "what God has done for us." Gospel songs tend to be simpler poetically, livelier, singable tunes, with usually a chorus or refrain.
The music of this post, "Jesus, Rose of Sharon," should be sung worshipfully and legato---to the point that it seems almost to fall between the two categories of hymns--gospel songs.
From the day I first heard JRS in the fall of 1951, it has been a favorite and touches me deeply. That September day, I, a seventeen year old freshman was sitting in my third floor dorm room, studying, with the window open, for it was hot down there at HSU, in
The HSU A Cappella Choir male quartet just happened to be practicing up in a fourth floor room right over mine. I heard the most beautiful sound, as only a really talented male quartet could sing:
"Jesus rose of Sharon bloom within my heart,
Beauties of thy truth and holiness impart...."
The clincher was the first tenor. The words and the tune are so well-wedded, that the last line of the chorus just explodes onomatopoeically (though roses bloom silently.) The chorus ending with the first tenor soaring is: "BLOO-OOM in radiance and in love within my heart." You could almost sense the rose blooming.
Ever since that day, Jesus Rose of Sharon has had a place in my heart. Sung mostly by male quartets or ensembles, the song is not often heard. It appears in gospel song books, rather than church hymnals. Good You Tube renditions are hard to find. I'd love to hear it sung by the Tabernacle Choir!
This beautiful poem was written by Ida D. Guirey, about whom no information can be found. It is thought that "Guirey" is perhaps a pseudonym.
The tune writer, Charles H. Gabriel, (1856-1932) was born in rural
We can truly be grateful to Gabriel, for when we scan the composer index in our hymnal, we find many of his tunes. The hymnal I am holding has twelve Gabriel tunes.
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"BE THY GLORY SEEN ON EARTH FROM SHORE TO SHORE...."
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Using the term "Rose of Sharon" to refer to Jesus has been traditional and is based on the verse in Song of Solomon 2:1---"I am the rose of Sharon and the lily of the valleys." Google the subject to read more about the theological background.
The rose of Sharon is not truly a rose. It is a member of the Hibiscus family. For this post, the flower above is a true rose of Sharon.
The song is quoted here:
"Jesus, Rose of Sharon, bloom within my heart,
Beauties of thy truth and holiness impart;
That where'er I go my life may shed abroad
Fragrance of the knowledge of the love of God.
Jesus, Rose of Sharon, sweeter far to me
Than the fairest flow'rs of earth could ever be;
Fill my life completely, adding more each day
Of Thy grace divine and purity I pray.
Jesus, Rose of Sharon, balm for ev'ry ill,
May Thy render mercies healing po'wr distill;
For afflicted souls of weary burdened men,
Giving needy mortals health and hope again.
Jesus, Rose of Sharon, bloom forevermore,
Be Thy glory seen on earth from shore to shore;
'Til the nations own Thy sov'reignty complete,
Lay their honors down and worship at Thy feet.
Refrain:
Jesus, blessed Jesus, Rose of Sharon,
Bloom in radiance and in love within my heart."
Can you think of a better prayer, with which to start the day?
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For your listening, please access below the talented girls' instrumental ensemble.
Second then, the black male group to give you an idea of the choral sound. I would interpret this rendition differently, with legato, fewer breaks in the melodic line, and with voices not so open.
Charles H. Gabriel
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BY MIL
10/08/12
(SPECIAL DEDICATION...FOR ROSALEA...MY DEAR FRIEND.)
Sent from my iPad
So interesting! Amazing gospel song and it's history.
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