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8 Comments

  1. Christopher Tan
    15 September 2009 @ 7:56 pm

    Thanks. One of my favourite hymn tunes is the one for Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus by Geibel.

    http://bit.ly/3wHliS

    • rcottrill
      16 September 2009 @ 8:31 am

      Much of the time I’ve ignored the music of our hymns in my writing, preferring to concentrate on the biblical themes in the text. But of course the tunes are significant. They can either provide a good frame for the picture (the words), or a distracting one. Geibel’s tune certainly fits the mood of “Stand Up for Jesus.”

  2. Anthoby Bering
    20 November 2009 @ 1:47 pm

    During the Christmas season many years ago I would listen to our chuch choir sing a most beautiful hymn called In Old Judea; composed by Adam Geibel.
    For years I have been searching records , tape and discs featuring that number. I even submitted a request to Lawrence Welk to think of including the song in his upcoming Xmas show. He was kind enough to acknowledge and thank me for my letter but informed me they have so many requests and usually they will honor the most requests for a individual number, In any case i finally received a disc from my daughter featurung the number by Michelle Capalbo. She has a great voice but the solo part would be better with a baritone voice. So, if any one is aware of the number sung by a choir I would please love to know. And if it is available on tape, disc or even an old vinyl record I sure would love to purchase it.

    • rcottrill
      20 November 2009 @ 2:25 pm

      Wow! That is an obscure selection. I see the lyrics are here. But in about 40 years of solo work, and choral conducting, in addition to teaching and writing about sacred music, it’s one I’ve never come across. My usual resources failed me too.
      Sounds intriguing. Have you tried the chat room of Both Sides Now? It is specifically for folks looking for rare or unusual recordings, or information on obscure songs. If you register and write about your song, someone, somewhere, may be able to help you. Wish you well!

  3. Carol Blair
    15 September 2010 @ 7:02 am

    Charles Gabriel used several pseudonyms, didn’t he? One, I think, was a woman’s name (!) — Charlotte G. Homer. I have seen it printed in Al Smith’s hymnal — “Living Hymns.”

    • rcottrill
      15 September 2010 @ 8:08 am

      Good to hear from you. Yes, Charles Hutchinson Gabriel used the pen name Charlotte G. Homer. But the Cyber Hymnal also lists two more: H. A. Henry, and S. B. Jackson. Interesting. I checked many different sources, and they only give the first of the three. But my friend Dick Adams, creator of the Cyber Hymnal, references a couple of sources that I don’t presently have in my library.

      And if you’ll excuse a brief “commercial”… With the arrival of fall, we begin to think of the Christmas season up ahead. If you do not have a good book on the subject of our Christmas carols, I encourage you to take a look at mine, Discovering the Songs of Christmas. In it, I discuss the history and meaning of 63 carols and Christmas hymns. The book is available through Amazon. (Might make a great gift too!)

  4. Lisa Speiser
    5 December 2010 @ 5:54 pm

    Looking for an old song by the name of, “In Old Judea.” Does anyone know where I can buy it? Lots of things on the websites, but no music to be found.

    • rcottrill
      5 December 2010 @ 7:49 pm

      Don’t know if it’s what your looking for but “In old Judea amid the plains afar…” is #172 in the 1935 Roman Catholic book The Ordinary of the Mass and Complete Manual of Hymns for Parochia Schools. (Don’t know where a copy would be available.