Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post showcases one hymn and four African American Gospel examples of the Christian song "Blessed Assurance". Standard lyrics for that song are also included in this video.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, religious, and aesthetic reasons.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Frances J. Crosby for composing this congregational hymn in 1873. Thanks also to the arrangers of that song and all those who are featured in these videos. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
LYRICS: BLESSED ASSURANCE
(Frances Crosby)
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels, descending, bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.
Source: http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Blessed_Assurance/midi/
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
With the exception of the video of the hymn, these examples are presented in chronological order based on their posting date on YouTube with the oldest dated example given first.
Example #1: Blessed Assurance - Congregational Hymn
Faith for the Family Published on Aug 21, 2014
Listen to this hymn given at Temple Baptist Church in Powell, Tennessee.
-snip-
This is the way that the congregation of my African American American Baptist church singing "Blessed Assurance" (in Atlantic City, New Jersey). My recollections are from the 1950s to date. I believe that many other African American churches sing "Blessed Assurance" the standard way. I've never heard it in person sung any other way.
****
Example #2: Blessed Assurance - Bryan Wilson Hosts Video Gospel
Shane Wall Uploaded on Oct 13, 2007
The actual live recording when Bryan Wilson sang "Blessed Assurance" with the Mississippi Mass Choir supporting in the background. This song was on Bryan's 1st solo project, "Bryan's Songs."
****
Example #3: St. James Reunion Choir - Blessed Assurance
Marcel West, Uploaded on Dec 5, 2008
Reunion Choir singing Blessed Assurance
-snip-
This is St. James Missionary Baptist Church - Detroit, Michigan
****
Example #4: Blessed Assurance - Bishop Jeff Banks and the Revival Temple Mass Choir
Kadeem Graves Published on Aug 19, 2012
This is from the 1993 album "He's All Over Me" Soloists: John Qualls/Sharonda Qualls
*****
Example #5: Shirley Caesar - Blessed Assurance
allen freeman, Published on Dec 31, 2012
-snip-
The man introducing Shirley Caesar is comedian, radio and television talk show & game show host Steve Harvey.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Showing posts with label St. James Missionary Baptist Church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label St. James Missionary Baptist Church. Show all posts
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Monday, May 19, 2014
Rev. Charles H. Nicks & The St. James Adult Choir - "Hold Back The Night"
Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post presents the lyrics for and three YouTube examples of the now classic Gospel song "Hold Back The Night". Information about Rev. Charles H. Nicks, the composer of this song, is also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Rev Charles Nicks for his religious and musical legacy. Thanks also to all those vocalists and musicians who are featured in these videos and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube. In addition, thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
***
INFORMATION ABOUT REV. CHARLES H. NICKS
From http://museum.msu.edu/museum/tes/gospel/nicks.htm
"When Charles H. Nicks, Jr. became the organist for the St. James Baptist Church in Detroit in 1957, a thirty-year success story was begun, one which continued throughout his pastorate of the church. His recordings with the St. James Adult Choir, which captured the "feel" of the traditional Black Baptist church, helped to strengthen Detroit's position as a major center for gospel music.
Rev. Nicks was born in Lincoln, NE, July 18,1941, to the Reverend Charles Nicks, Sr., a Baptist pastor, and Alliece Nicks, a pianist who was his first musical influence. After extensive training in classical and gospel music, Rev. Nicks developed on organ style that attracted students from around the country who wanted to learn how he made the Hammond organ "talk."
A founding member of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, he was also organist for the Harold Smith Majestics and a respected record producer. Rev. Nicks, who died in 1988, was celebrated for composing and/or singing several gospel classics, including "He's So Real," "Something About God's Grace," and "I Really Love the Lord."
Under the direction of Jimmy Dowell, the St. James Adult Choir continues to perform in the traditional style that first brought them and Rev. Nicks into the national spotlight."
**
From https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rev-Charles-H-Nicks-Jr/123705620985?sk=info
"Rev. Charles H. Nicks, Jr., was called as the fifth pastor of St. James Missionary Baptist Church in April, 1972
The following achievements for the Lord were realized under the pastorship of Rev. Nicks:
...Leader of the National Baptist Church Music Department - Artist for countless musical recordings - Facilitator for may nationally televised productions - Vice President and leader for the Gospel Music Workshop of America [GMWA} - Leader of many other local and national organizations to numerous to be counted"...
****
LYRICS FOR THE GOSPEL SONG "HOLD BACK THE NIGHT"
(composed by Rev. Charles Nicks)*
Comment from one of this post featured videos:
k cooper, 2008
"I was a member of the St. James Adult Choir. Here are the lyrics to HOLD BACK THE NIGHT: Chorus: Hold Back the Night give me strength to fight. I'll do your will if you just say to my storm, peace be still. O Lord, I love your name, every day you're just the same. I'll be alright, if you Hold Back the Night. Verse: The storm is raging all around. Satan is trying to pull me down. Lord you told me, in your word I could abide. So stretch forth your mighty hand and Hold Back the Night."
-snip-
Here are those lyrics in song format:
Chorus [sung by the Choir]
Hold back the night.
Give me strength to fight.
I'll do Your will
If You just say to my storm
“Peace be still.”
Oh Lord, I love Your name.
Every day You're just the same.
I'll be all right
If You just hold back the night.
[repeat]
Solo: The storm is raging
All around.
Satan keeps tryin
To pull me down.
But Lord, You told me
In Your word I could abide.
So stretch forth Your mighty hand
And hold back the night.
[repeat]
[Choir sings the chorus with the soloist vamping.]
Vamping: To improvise a musical accompaniment, to improvise (an accompaniment, for example) for a solo, to improvise simple accompaniment or variation of a tune.
*Online information about the Gospel song "Hold Back The Night" is very difficult to find. However, I happened upon this website http://www.theafricanamericanlectionary.org/PopupWorshipAid.asp?LRID=96. That site gives suggested songs & their composers for a Men's Day and lists “Charles H. Nicks, Jr as the composer of "Hold Back The Night".
"Hold Back The Night" is also the title of a 1990 Gospel album by Rev. Charles H. Nicks & The St. James Adult Choir. That album features that song and other songs that would now be considered "old school Gospel".
It seems very clear to me that "Hold Back The Night" Gospel song lyrics directly refer to the New Testament verses which recount the story of Jesus calming the waves that threatened to overturn the boat that he and his disciples were traveling in on the Sea of Galilee. This is the same Biblical story that is the theme of Rev. James Cleveland and the Angelic Choir of Nutley, New Jersey's hugely popular 1962 or 1963 record "Peace Be Still". Notice the inclusion of the words "Peace Be Still" in the Gospel song "Hold Back The Night".
Click http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=hurlbut&book=bible&story=peace for a link to that Biblical story told in contemporary Standard American English. Also, click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb4Vjey1WsM for a sound file of that "Peace Be Still" record. By the way, that Rev. James Cleveland recording also features keyboardist Billy Preston, who was very highly regarded for his accompaniment on Gospel recordings as well as his popular secular records.
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
Example #1: Rev. Charles Nicks teaching Hold Back The Night
Marcel West, Uploaded on Dec 29, 2008
****
Example #2: Rev. Charles Nicks & The St. James Adult Choir - Hold Back The Night
Marcel West, Uploaded on Jun 4, 2008
One of my personal favs!! Lead by Rev. Charles Nicks & Sis. Jean Frederick
****
Example #3: St. James Mass Choir - Hold Back The Night
Marcel West Uploaded on Jan 8, 2009
Mary Thompson sings "Hold Back The Night" with the Mass Choir
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This pancocojams post presents the lyrics for and three YouTube examples of the now classic Gospel song "Hold Back The Night". Information about Rev. Charles H. Nicks, the composer of this song, is also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Rev Charles Nicks for his religious and musical legacy. Thanks also to all those vocalists and musicians who are featured in these videos and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube. In addition, thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
***
INFORMATION ABOUT REV. CHARLES H. NICKS
From http://museum.msu.edu/museum/tes/gospel/nicks.htm
"When Charles H. Nicks, Jr. became the organist for the St. James Baptist Church in Detroit in 1957, a thirty-year success story was begun, one which continued throughout his pastorate of the church. His recordings with the St. James Adult Choir, which captured the "feel" of the traditional Black Baptist church, helped to strengthen Detroit's position as a major center for gospel music.
Rev. Nicks was born in Lincoln, NE, July 18,1941, to the Reverend Charles Nicks, Sr., a Baptist pastor, and Alliece Nicks, a pianist who was his first musical influence. After extensive training in classical and gospel music, Rev. Nicks developed on organ style that attracted students from around the country who wanted to learn how he made the Hammond organ "talk."
A founding member of the Gospel Music Workshop of America, he was also organist for the Harold Smith Majestics and a respected record producer. Rev. Nicks, who died in 1988, was celebrated for composing and/or singing several gospel classics, including "He's So Real," "Something About God's Grace," and "I Really Love the Lord."
Under the direction of Jimmy Dowell, the St. James Adult Choir continues to perform in the traditional style that first brought them and Rev. Nicks into the national spotlight."
**
From https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rev-Charles-H-Nicks-Jr/123705620985?sk=info
"Rev. Charles H. Nicks, Jr., was called as the fifth pastor of St. James Missionary Baptist Church in April, 1972
The following achievements for the Lord were realized under the pastorship of Rev. Nicks:
...Leader of the National Baptist Church Music Department - Artist for countless musical recordings - Facilitator for may nationally televised productions - Vice President and leader for the Gospel Music Workshop of America [GMWA} - Leader of many other local and national organizations to numerous to be counted"...
****
LYRICS FOR THE GOSPEL SONG "HOLD BACK THE NIGHT"
(composed by Rev. Charles Nicks)*
Comment from one of this post featured videos:
k cooper, 2008
"I was a member of the St. James Adult Choir. Here are the lyrics to HOLD BACK THE NIGHT: Chorus: Hold Back the Night give me strength to fight. I'll do your will if you just say to my storm, peace be still. O Lord, I love your name, every day you're just the same. I'll be alright, if you Hold Back the Night. Verse: The storm is raging all around. Satan is trying to pull me down. Lord you told me, in your word I could abide. So stretch forth your mighty hand and Hold Back the Night."
-snip-
Here are those lyrics in song format:
Chorus [sung by the Choir]
Hold back the night.
Give me strength to fight.
I'll do Your will
If You just say to my storm
“Peace be still.”
Oh Lord, I love Your name.
Every day You're just the same.
I'll be all right
If You just hold back the night.
[repeat]
Solo: The storm is raging
All around.
Satan keeps tryin
To pull me down.
But Lord, You told me
In Your word I could abide.
So stretch forth Your mighty hand
And hold back the night.
[repeat]
[Choir sings the chorus with the soloist vamping.]
Vamping: To improvise a musical accompaniment, to improvise (an accompaniment, for example) for a solo, to improvise simple accompaniment or variation of a tune.
*Online information about the Gospel song "Hold Back The Night" is very difficult to find. However, I happened upon this website http://www.theafricanamericanlectionary.org/PopupWorshipAid.asp?LRID=96. That site gives suggested songs & their composers for a Men's Day and lists “Charles H. Nicks, Jr as the composer of "Hold Back The Night".
"Hold Back The Night" is also the title of a 1990 Gospel album by Rev. Charles H. Nicks & The St. James Adult Choir. That album features that song and other songs that would now be considered "old school Gospel".
It seems very clear to me that "Hold Back The Night" Gospel song lyrics directly refer to the New Testament verses which recount the story of Jesus calming the waves that threatened to overturn the boat that he and his disciples were traveling in on the Sea of Galilee. This is the same Biblical story that is the theme of Rev. James Cleveland and the Angelic Choir of Nutley, New Jersey's hugely popular 1962 or 1963 record "Peace Be Still". Notice the inclusion of the words "Peace Be Still" in the Gospel song "Hold Back The Night".
Click http://www.mainlesson.com/display.php?author=hurlbut&book=bible&story=peace for a link to that Biblical story told in contemporary Standard American English. Also, click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb4Vjey1WsM for a sound file of that "Peace Be Still" record. By the way, that Rev. James Cleveland recording also features keyboardist Billy Preston, who was very highly regarded for his accompaniment on Gospel recordings as well as his popular secular records.
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
Example #1: Rev. Charles Nicks teaching Hold Back The Night
Marcel West, Uploaded on Dec 29, 2008
****
Example #2: Rev. Charles Nicks & The St. James Adult Choir - Hold Back The Night
Marcel West, Uploaded on Jun 4, 2008
One of my personal favs!! Lead by Rev. Charles Nicks & Sis. Jean Frederick
****
Example #3: St. James Mass Choir - Hold Back The Night
Marcel West Uploaded on Jan 8, 2009
Mary Thompson sings "Hold Back The Night" with the Mass Choir
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
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