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Come, Thou Fount Of Every Blessing: American Folk Hymns & Spirituals (2009)

**#1 on Billboard’s Classical-Crossover Chart when released!** This recording honors the enduring vitality of folk hymns and spirituals and their ability to anchor the soul in faith. From the sturdy strains of “Saints Bound for Heaven” and the fervent entreaty of “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me” to one of the most popular folk hymns of all time, “Amazing Grace,” these songs and hymns gave comfort, hope, and confidence to the early American pioneers. Their power and simplicity still inspire us today.

  • Language English
  • UPC Code 783027012620
  • Media Types CD; MP3; Digital Download

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  1. TracksTrack TitleTrack Time
  2. 01 Saints Bound for Heaven 2:53
    Music By
    American folk hymn (THE SAINTS BOUND FOR HEAVEN)
    Arrangement By
    Mack Wilberg
    Publisher
    "Saints Bound for Heaven": Oxford University Press (ASCAP)/© 1998 Oxford University Press, Inc.
  3. 02 My Song in the Night 4:39
    Music By
    American folk hymn (EXPRESSION)
    Lyrics By
    adapted from Joseph Swain
    Arrangement By
    Mack Wilberg
    Publisher
    "My Song in the Night": Oxford University Press (ASCAP)/ © 2009 Oxford University Press, Inc.
  4. 03 We'll Shout and Give Him Glory 3:59
    Music By
    American folk hymn (REVIVAL SONG)
    Arrangement By
    Mack Wilberg
    Publisher
    "We'll Shout and Give Him Glory": Oxford University Press (ASCAP)/© 1998 by Oxford University Press, Inc.
  5. 04 His Voice As the Sound 5:29
    Music By
    American folk hymn (SAMANTHRA)
    Lyrics By
    adapted from Joseph Swain
    Arrangement By
    Mack Wilberg
    Publisher
    "His Voice As the Sound": Oxford University Press (ASCAP)/© 2009 Oxford University Press, Inc.
  6. 05 How Bright Is the Day 3:18
    Music By
    American folk hymn (SAWYER'S EXIT)
    Lyrics By
    Reverend S. B. Sawyer
    Arrangement By
    Mack Wilberg
    Publisher
    "How Bright Is the Day": Arrangement unpublished.
  7. 06 Death Shall Not Destroy My Comfort 7:19
    Music By
    American folk hymn (MOUNT WATSON)
    Arrangement By
    Mack Wilberg
    Publisher
    "Death Shall Not Destroy My Comfort": Oxford University Press (ASCAP)/© 1998 Oxford University Press, Inc.
  8. 07 My God, My Portion, and My Love 5:30
    Music By
    American folk hymn (DUNLAP'S CREEK)
    Lyrics By
    Isaac Watts
    Arrangement By
    Mack Wilberg
    Publisher
    "My God, My Portion, and My Love": Oxford University Press (ASCAP)/© 2009 Oxford University Press, Inc.
  9. 08 Bound for the Promised Land 2:44
    Music By
    American folk hymn (THE PROMISED LAND)
    Lyrics By
    Samuel Stennett
    Arrangement By
    Mack Wilberg
    Publisher
    "Bound for the Promised Land": Oxford University Press (ASCAP)/© 2007 Oxford University Press, Inc.
  10. 09 I Want Jesus to Walk with Me 3:54
    Music By
    African-American spiritual
    Arrangement By
    Moses Hogan
    Artist
    Alex Boyé
    Publisher
    "I Want Jesus to Walk with Me": Hal Leonard/© 1997 by Hal Leonard Corporation
    Other
    Soloist: Alex Boyé
  11. 10 Old Time Religion 3:06
    Music By
    African-American spiritual
    Arrangement By
    Moses Hogan; adapted by Benjamin Harlan
    Publisher
    "Old Time Religion": Hal Leonard/© 1995 by Hal Leonard Corporation
  12. 11 The Battle of Jericho 2:39
    Music By
    African-American spiritual
    Arrangement By
    Moses Hogan
    Publisher
    "The Battle of Jericho": Hal Leonard/© 1996 by Hal Leonard Corporation
  13. 12 Deep River 4:35
    Music By
    African-American spiritual
    Arrangement By
    Mack Wilberg
    Publisher
    "Deep River": Oxford University Press (ASCAP)/© 2004 Oxford University Press, Inc.
  14. 13 Down to the River to Pray 3:58
    Music By
    American folk hymn/African-American spiritual
    Arrangement By
    Mack Wilberg
    Publisher
    "Down to the River to Pray": Oxford University Press (ASCAP)/© 2009 Oxford University Press, Inc.
  15. 14 Rock-A-My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham 3:07
    Music By
    African-American spiritual
    Arrangement By
    Arranged and adapted by Howard A. Roberts
    Artist
    Alex Boyé
    Publisher
    "Rock-A-My Soul in the Bosom of Abraham": Howard A. Roberts.
    Other
    Soloist: Alex Boyé
  16. 15 Softly and Tenderly 5:55
    Music By
    Will L. Thompson (THOMPSON)
    Lyrics By
    Will L. Thompson
    Arrangement By
    Mack Wilberg
    Publisher
    "Softly and Tenderly": Arrangement unpublished.
  17. 16 Amazing Grace 6:25
    Music By
    American folk hymn (AMAZING GRACE)
    Lyrics By
    John Newton
    Arrangement By
    Mack Wilberg
    Publisher
    "Amazing Grace": Oxford University Press (ASCAP)/© 2009 Oxford University Press, Inc.
  18. 17 Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing 6:09
    Music By
    American folk hymn (NETTLETON)
    Lyrics By
    Robert Robinson
    Arrangement By
    Mack Wilberg
    Publisher
    "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing": Oxford University Press (ASCAP)/© 1998 by Oxford University Press, Inc.

Description

Eloquent, straightforward, and full of homespun vigor, the American folk hymn of the early 19th century reflected the robust enthusiasm and hardiness so characteristic of life on the frontier. Simple religious texts, easily learned, were set to popular melodies drawn from the folk songs, ballads, and dances of the day, creating a lively hymn tradition that flourished in the camp meetings and revivalist gatherings of the “Second Great Awakening.” It was truly a music of the people. Similarly, the African-American spiritual – a close cousin to the folk hymn – expressed the profound emotions of the slave experience while drawing on the same musical sources and religious ideals that formed the American folk hymn. Other sacred song traditions also grew from these same roots. The musical worship of the early Mormon Church, for example, often included newly-penned texts sung to popular tunes of the day, and one of the most beloved LDS hymns, “Come, Come, Ye Saints,” is itself an authentic American folk hymn. This recording honors the enduring vitality of these folk hymns and spirituals and their ability to anchor the soul in faith. From the sturdy strains of “Saints Bound for Heaven” and the fervent entreaty of “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me” to one of the most popular folk hymns of all time, “Amazing Grace,” these songs and hymns gave comfort, hope, and confidence to the early American pioneers of two hundred years ago. Their power and simplicity still inspire us today.

Release date: March 24, 2009.