Poetry Friday * Celebrate this Week * Spiritual Journey.
A poem became a song and is sung around the world.
I have a girlhood memory,
or perhaps I should say a repeated memory,
or maybe it’s really a string of memories that telescope into one,
of my father’s deep voice booming through our home as he sang “How Great Thou Art” along with the recorded voice of gospel singer George Beverly Shea.
The words were first written as a Swedish poem –“O Store Gud“– by Carl Boberg in 1885 when he was inspired by the sound of church bells ringing during a wild thunderstorm. It was put to a melody about three years later. Several translations later as it was shared from Sweden to Poland and Russia to India, it finally made its way to America — nearly 50 years later. The history of this poem / song is amazing.
When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds
Thy hands have made
I see the stars
I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout
The universe displayed
Then sings my soul
My Savior, God, to Thee
How great thou art
How great thou art
Then sings my soul
My Savior, God, to Thee
How great Thou art
How great Thou art
His son not sparing,
Sent Him to die,
I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden
gladly bearing He bled and died
to take away my sin
With shout of acclamation
And take me home
What joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow
With humble adoration
And then proclaim My God
How great Thou art
This week I celebrate the life of Evangelist Billy Graham (1918-2018).
It was the summer before I turned eleven. We had driven from Indiana, where we lived in a small rural town, to New Jersey — an annual trek to visit grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins. It was July, and the talk of the day was about Evangelist Billy Graham and the crusade he was holding in Madison Square Garden. It had begun in May and it was now July.
Well, my folks, brothers and I attend several of the meetings. I will never forget the experience. I’d never seen so many people in one place. It was surreal to sit in the midst of thousands singing hymns, listening to a sermon, and then watching hundreds stream from their stadium seats to the arena floor to receive Jesus as Savior. But most of all was the reality that penetrated my being that God loved me and I had a personal relationship with Him through Jesus.
George Beverly Shea singing “How Great Thou Art” in the Madison Square Garden Crusade. He sang it over 100 times during that crusade from May to September.
George and Emily Elliott attend that same NYC crusade.
With Megyn Kelly on Today on Wednesday, Kathy Lee Gifford shared her personal story.
“He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me … has passed from death into life” (John 5:24 NKJV).
Liz at Elizabeth Steinglass is hosting
this week’s Round-Up.
#PoetryFriday
Poetry Friday Schedule
January – June 2018
Celebrate this Week
with Ruth Ayres
#Celebratelu.
Spiritual Thursday
for March
with Karen Eastlund,
via Irene Latham’s blog
You have brought me such fresh-old memories of learning How Great Thou Art as a child. “I see the stars. I hear the rolling thunder” especially evoke a wonderful feeling. I never knew this history. So many appreciations.
Thanks for that history of “How Great Thou Art.” What a lovely memory, Alice Nine, and so timely right now when everyone is doing memorial pieces on Billy Graham.
Thanks for sharing the story of the song, Alice. I had not ever heard it. I was about eight years old when we had a revival at church. One night the guest soloist was the sheriff of our county. He sang “How Great Thou Art.” For some reason I was on the front pew. I’m not sure why as that was not our normal place to sit. I remember feeling the wooden pew vibrate under my legs with the deep resonance of his notes. My mother was terribly embarrassed when I told the sheriff about my pew vibrating, but I thought it was a great compliment to his strong voice. I still love that song.
Your story makes me smile. It’s a wonderful memory. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for sharing this! I got to hear Billy Graham in England as a high school student, and the music was an important part of the event. Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
Oh wow thank you for sharing this! I love your memory of your dad’s voice booming How Great Thou Art. In a strange intersection of current culture and history, my first thought upon hearing about Billy Graham was of Queen Elizabeth, whom had several personal meeting with him and was a big admirer (or so we learned in THE CROWN). I’ve wondered if she’s made a public response… I would like to believe she was as enraptured as the show portrayed… thank you for sharing here. xo
From what I heard, her condolences were sent privately. There are links here to some background of their friendship. http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/02/21/billy-graham-dead-queen-elizabeth-sends-condolences.html
Lovely memories to share.
I have long loved this hymn, but I did not know the history behind it. I will remember it and your memories you shared the next time I sing, and the singing will be richer. I never went to one of Graham’s crusades, but I do remember watching several of the movies that came from his ministry.
Songs of faith can bring us such strength. Thank you for sharing your special memory and experience with us!
Alice, this post is full of the spirit. The song is one of my favorites and I have always loved listening to Bill Graham. He lived a full blessed life of grace. I enjoyed accessing the videos also. I never heard George Beverly Shea sing before so that was a treat to see him sing the song in his younger days and in his later life. His voice is wonderful and his delivery was great.
Preserve your memories and pass them along, it is worth the effort!
Thanks for stopping by, Diane. I definitely agree with you.
Thank you for sharing these memories. Billy Graham touched so many, and George Beverly Shea and that hymn, too, through so many crusades. As you can hear your father’s voice, I can hear my husband’s. Often, in the evenings he would sit at the piano and play, sometimes singing. It was his way to relax and to reflect on the day. He often played and sang that great hymn.
Precious memories. Thanks for sharing yours, Diane!
How Great Thou Art is a song I’ve always loved. It wasn’t in our hymnal until the latest revision which made my heart happy. I remember my best friend playing it on her piano and singing along with her. I was touched with the way that Billy Graham’s crusade was portrayed as I watched “The Crown.” Thanks for the links in your post.
What a powerful post and testimony. I have been so upset with “the Christians” in my country lately that I sometimes lose focus for what is real. Thank you for sharing your beautiful story. My favorite line….string of memories that telescope into one,…that is a poem or a seed waiting to sprout? It is beautiful.
What a wonderful memory you have of seeing Billy Graham. He has made a difference in so many lives.
Thank you for sharing this memory and song. They are far from my experience but I feel connected to them through your words.
I’m so glad you stopped by, Liz.