Through The Hymnbook

Guest (Male): Welcome, welcome to the organ loft for a very special time of music entitled Through The Hymnbook. You will be so happy that you stopped by because in this particular edition of Through The Hymnbook, we’re going to wave the flag. Reverend Bert Jones will be going through a number of books—hymnbooks, community books—looking for patriotic hymns, patriotic music, and also some national songs. It’s just going to be so thrilling, and I know you’re going to enjoy the very special collection that we have here of patriotic songs as well as national music.

Later, a little bit later in the program, Bert is even going to be playing for you some old war songs on a large pipe organ. These songs you probably haven't heard for a long time, and they’ll bring back a lot of memories. I know that they’re going to be a special joy to you.

So, just sit back and just enjoy waving the flag as we are grateful for the United States of America, the best land to live and to be free. God bless America and keep America free.

Bert Jones: Looking for patriotic songs, looking for songs that have a national flavor. In one hymnbook of a denomination which has many members in the United States and in Canada, they have a separate tune and a different key for God Save The Queen. God Save The Queen is written in a higher key than My Country 'Tis of Thee. It's written in the key of G, a little higher.

A number of books contain the national anthem, but many of the newer books do not include the national anthem. Here's one church hymnal that's been out since 1971, and it includes the Canadian national anthem as well as our own USA national anthem.

Here is a great patriotic song that says, "God of our fathers, by whose mighty power we have come to this hour." Remember, this was written for the 100th anniversary of the United States of America.

When I was a little boy, I think that was my favorite patriotic hymn. I loved that trumpet fanfare at the beginning. My, I enjoyed that so very, very much.

Here's one we don't see very often nowadays, God Bless Our Native Land. Let me read you the words: "God bless our native land, firm may she ever stand through storm and night. When the wild tempest rave, Ruler of wind and wave, do thou our country save by thy great might."

That is found more commonly in many of the older books. I had trouble finding it in the new books. Listen to these beautiful words: "For her our prayers shall rise to God above the skies, on him we wait. Thou who art ever nigh, guarding with searchful eye, to thee aloud we cry, God save the state.

And not to us alone, but be thy mercies known from shore to shore. Lord, make the nations see that men should brothers be and form one family the wide world o’er." And it’s called God Bless Our Native Land.

A great hymn with beautiful words, and it should be sung by all congregations. When I had the privilege of giving a concert on the beautifully rebuilt four-manual pipe organ—Möller pipe organ—at the First Presbyterian Church of Newcastle, Pennsylvania, among other things, as I was playing some patriotic music, I played some old war songs that people would know.

For instance, people would know this one that came from World War I, and I'm sure I have people listening who remember the songs of World War I, Keep the Home Fires Burning. It's almost a prayer, and in some gospel songs, it once was included. Well, maybe you'd like to sing along as on the pipe organ from the First Presbyterian Church of Newcastle, Pennsylvania, I play Keep the Home Fires Burning.

Maybe some of you remember this old one, There's a Long, Long Trail A-Winding.

My father was in World War I. This was a favorite with my mom and dad. They wrote letters back and forth. This is dedicated to my buddy. Remember?

Now a few songs from World War II. Till the Lights Come On Again All Over the World. Those days of blackouts, when all was dark. We’ll keep on going, holding the faith till the lights come on again all over the world.

Considered by most musicologists to be probably the most beautiful song to come from World War II, There Will Be Bluebirds Over the White Cliffs of Dover. Someday, you just wait and see.

I think I heard some of those bluebirds over the white cliffs of Dover. Looking through the songbook now from a community songbook, here it is, God Bless America. God Bless America. I’m playing on the beautiful pipe organ, the Möller pipe organ, four-manual, at the First Presbyterian Church of Newcastle, Pennsylvania. Beautiful organ.

Here is a hymn found in almost any hymnal in America, America the Beautiful. Written to the period of the Civil War.

I’m sharing with you my concert time at the First Presbyterian Church of Newcastle, Pennsylvania, Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean.

I want to dedicate this playing of the beautiful Möller pipe organ built in the First Presbyterian Church of Newcastle, Pennsylvania, to all my friends in Maryland, especially those listening near Hagerstown, Maryland, because that's where the organ was built. Looking for patriotic songs as we say goodbye, Your Land and My Land. Until next time, you keep singing.