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9 Comments

  1. shewhowaits
    30 September 2012 @ 6:33 pm

    Those sound like wonderful songs. Having been raised Nazarene, I feel an extra connection to them. But they aren’t in either of the Nazarene hymnals I own. Do you know where I could find the music?

    • rcottrill
      30 September 2012 @ 10:56 pm

      Yes, both hymns can be found in either Living Hymns, or Great Hymns of the Faith, two hymn books that I’ve recommended from time to time. Thanks for asking, and God bless.

      • Patty Showalter
        10 October 2012 @ 11:00 pm

        How interesting to note that this was written by a Nazarene evangelist. My husband and I have been Nazarene song evangelists and ministers of music for almost 50 years. This song has been on my mind recently. I learned it as a child and have not thought of it in years until the past few weeks. Thanks for sharing. Along the same line,,,do you know the old song “nearer home, nearer home..every day I’ve come a little nearer home”. I think the verse starts ” since I started on my journey toward that heavenly land”…thanks. P Showalter

        • rcottrill
          11 October 2012 @ 7:22 am

          Thanks for your intriguing note. I’ll get to the song you mention in a moment, but first I have a question for you. Is your husband any relation to the Anthony Showalter who wrote the tune for the hymn “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”? (See his biography in the Cyber Hymnal.) If there is a connection, I’d be interested in learning anything you can tell me about the gentleman mentioned.

          Now, as to the song, yes, I have a copy of a 1943 song book compiled by gospel song writer Charles Weigle, in which he includes the song–likely written the year before. Its proper title is “A Little Nearer Home, and the lyrics go like this:

          Since I started on my journey t’ward the heav’nly land,
          Where I’ll join the happy throng around God’s throne,
          I have met with many trials hard to understand,
          But each day I’ve come a little nearer home.

          Nearer home, nearer home,
          Ev’ry day I’ve come a little nearer home;
          Nearer home, nearer home,
          Ev’ry day I’ve come a little nearer home.

          I may pass through days of sorrow like a river deep,
          I may see the angry billows dash and foam;
          I may need to climb a pathway over mountain steep,
          But each day I’ve come a little nearer home.

          There are times as I press onward when the road seems long,
          But I think of when no longer I shall roam;
          Then my soul is filled with gladness and I sing my song,
          Ev’ry day I’ve come a little nearer home.

          So there you are! I do vaguely recall Mr. Weigle’s song, but I don’t think I’ve every used it myself. I’m more familiar with his, “No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus.”

          Thanks for getting in touch. Drop by any time. And God bless you both.

          • Patty Showalter
            11 October 2012 @ 9:15 am

            Thank you for your swift reply re A Little Nearer Home. I can see the book it was in, in my minds eye. I believe it was red and yellow. This is a memory that is about 60 years old. I started piano at age six and began playing for congregational singing at age 9. Played for my first revival at another church accompanying a song evangelist at age 10. One of the people I accompanied sang A Little Nearer Home. What a beautiful memory. I am still involved playing every Sunday at the church where my husband is Minister of Music. A J Showalter is not related, as far as we know. We have not done research on that. Showalter is a rare name in most parts of the country, although there are many in Virginia and Pennsylvania. Many of them were Mennonite background. We met an Amish bishop in Virginia who was a Showalter. Thanks, again, for the info and words to A Little Nearer Home.
            God bless you and your ministry. Patty Showalter.

          • Patty Showalter
            12 November 2012 @ 11:16 am

            Hi, again. Thought you might have the answer…just received a call from a dear friend who is dealing with the soon loss of his wife due to cancer, unless God intervenes. He is trying to locate the song I Want the World to Know..by Otis skillings. I think it was co written by Eddie Smith. I am coming up with very little when I google it. I remember the song but not enough of the lyrics to be of help. Do you happen to have the words or could you guide me to a link? Thank you. Have a great day. Patty Showalter

          • rcottrill
            12 November 2012 @ 2:07 pm

            H-m-m… Sorry to say, I came up empty too. You’re right about the co-author, Eddie Smith. And it looks like the song has a 1970 copyright. But I couldn’t actually find it anywhere, either in books I have or on the Net. Went to the Lillenas Publishing Company site, because they publish Skillings’ work, but couldn’t find the song there either. (You might try phoning them.) Even tried YouTube, and it looks as though there are a number of songs with that name, but I wasn’t sure which is the one you’re looking for.

            My resources and research mainly relate to the traditional hymns and gospel songs found in standard hymnals, and this is really outside that range. Hope you have success elsewhere. Sorry I couldn’t be more help.

          • Patty Showalter
            12 November 2012 @ 5:06 pm

            I appreciate your reply. Thank you for trying. Patty

  2. Boyd Byerly
    16 October 2013 @ 11:57 am

    My mother requested the song “Home Sweet Home” be sung at her funeral. Was very difficult to find it recorded anywhere. We did find a couple but was wondering if you know of any recordings that can be heard on line. THANKS