Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post showcases various gospelized* versions of the Christian hymn "Joys Are Flowing Like A River". The title for this hymn appears to be most often given as "Blessed Quietness".
For comparison's purposes, a standard hymn example of "Blessed Quietness" is given as Example #1: That sound file includes information about this hymn and the hymn's lyrics.
The lyrics for this song are also included in this post.
*"Gospelized" is the term that I coined for African American Spirituals or Christian hymns that are sung in a Black Gospel style, including each of the Jazz tinged renditions that are showcased below after Example #1.
The content of this post is presented for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the composers of this hymn and thanks to all those who are featured in the embedded videos. Thanks also to the arrangers of these showcased examples.
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SHOWCASE EXAMPLES
Example #1: Joys are Flowing Like a River (Blessed Quietness)
Andrew Remillard, Published on Sep 15, 2015
Joys are Flowing Like a River (Blessed Quietness)
Text by: Manie Ferfuson
Tune by: William Marshal
Source: Broadman 1940 Hymnal #278
Choice Hymns of the Faith 1945 #314
Here is my complete recording of the Broadman 1940 Hymnbook:
1 Joys are flowing like a river,
Since the Comforter has come;
He abides with us forever,
Makes the trusting heart His home.
Refrain
Blessèd quietness, holy quietness,
What assurance in my soul!
On the stormy sea, He speaks peace to me,
How the billows cease to roll!
2 Bringing life and health and gladness,
All around this heav’nly Guest,
Banished unbelief and sadness,
Changed our weariness to rest.
Refrain
3 Like the rain that falls from Heaven,
Like the sunlight from the sky,
So the Holy Ghost is given,
Coming on us from on high.
Refrain
4 See, a fruitful field is growing,
Blessèd fruit of righteousness;
And the streams of life are flowing
In the lonely wilderness.
Refrain
5 What a wonderful salvation,
Where we always see His face!
What a perfect habitation,
What a quiet resting place!
Refrain
-snip-
Here's a link to a standard vocal rendition of this hymn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oJQO4fxN7k Dick Anthony's 16 Singing Men - "Blessed Quietness", posted by Norman Borge on Feb 22, 2013
Peaceful sound as sung by "16 Singing Men". Dick Anthony - director, arranger.
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Example #2: Blessed Quietness - Clay Evans
Oneil Wright, Published on Apr 22, 2014
Blessed Quietness - Clay Evans
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Example #3: "Blessed Quietness" CHGC 40th Anniv Reunion Choir
mellowyellowbt, Published on Apr 29, 2015
"Blessed Quietness" - Cleveland Heights High School Gospel Choir 40th Anniversary Reunion Mass Choir. Directed by William Tarter
Filmed at Cleveland Heights High School Auditorium on Friday, April 25 2015 in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.
-snip-
The song begins at .045 in this video
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Example #4: Blessed Quietness
Mahalia Jackson - Topic, Published on Nov 5, 2014
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
Blessed Quietness · Mahalia Jackson
The Forgotten Recordings
℗ 2005 Acrobat Music Limited
Released on: 2005-06-21
Auto-generated by YouTube.
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Example #5: Cheray Love-Lucas Blessed Quietness
James and Cheray Lucas. Published on Dec 22, 2014
-snip-
The song begins about 1:00 in this video.
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Example #6: Morning Hymn "Blessed Quietness"
Robert Thurmond, Published on Oct 8, 2017
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Example #7: Blessed Quietness
Moses Chikosi, Published on Nov 7, 2017
Westa COGIC Song Service 10292017
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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitors comments are welcome.
The video given as Example #6 given above features a woman saying each line of the hymn "Blessed Quietness" while the choir sings that line.
ReplyDeleteI had initially written that that performance style reminds me of the old time religious music traditional called "lining out".
However, after listing to some YouTube examples of lining out songs that were sung by Black congregations, I now recognize considerable differences between that Gospel rendition and lining out singing.
Among the differences between this Gospel rendition and a lining out song are
1. the Gospel song is sung by a choir instead of the congregation being led by someone who isn't always designated to "raise" (lead) a song
2. in the Gospel video, the woman says a line of the song whilethe choir sings that line, instead of the congregation singing the line or two from the song after the leader sings that line/s
3. The Gospel song has musical instrumental accompaniment while the lining out song doesn't
4. The Gospel song doesn't have the bass sounding foot stomps and percussive hand claps that Black lining out songs have
5. The Gospel song is more uptempo than the lining out songs.
-snip-
Additions and corrections are welcome regarding these observations.
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Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/11/mt-moriah-baptist-church-in-chester.html for a November 4, 2018 pancocojams post that provides excerpts about African American religious lining out traditions and showcases one YouTube video of that tradition (with multiple comments from video's discussion thread).