As the next installment in my personal calendar’s Overcomer’s Week, I offer “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.”   The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture recounts the story of how Wallis Willis (Uncle Wallace), a Choctaw freedman, and his wife (Aunt Minerva) came to have their “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” transcribed as a hymn.  Slaves and former slaves certainly had their share of overcoming to do.  This historic Spiritual is widely thought to refer not only to the prophet Elijah’s being taken up into heaven by a chariot (2 Kings 2:11), but also to the Underground Railroad, the resistance movement helping many slaves overcome as they escaped from the South to the North (and Canada).

Wallis Willis composed other “plantation songs” as well. “Steal Away to Jesus” obviously speaking of going home to Jesus at the trumpet sound, but is also thought to refer to the Underground Railroad.  Both were popularized by the Jubilee Singers from Fisk University who were raising funds for education among the Choctaw freedmen.

Music has a way of encouraging us as we persevere.  Enjoy this version of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” sung by Kathleen Battle and the Boys Choir of Harlem.

Well, I looked over Jordan and what did I see,  Comin’ for to carry me home,  A band of angels comin’ after me,  Comin’ for to carry me home.

Chorus: Swing low, sweet chariot,  Comin’ for to carry me home, Swing low, sweet chariot,  Comin’ for to carry me home.

Well, If you get there before I do, Comin’ for to carry me home, Tell all of my friends that I’m a-comin’ too,  I’m comin’ for to carry me home. Chorus.

As you’ll soon be able to tell, I am embarking upon my unofficial “Overcomer’s Week.”  It’s not on everyone’s wall calendar, but it sure is on my personal calendar these days.  I cannot tell you how many people have recently asked me how I overcome disappointments, anger, stereotypes, etc. without giving in to the temptations to throw in the towel.  I’m presently in the process of writing an article on overcoming difficulties by the Gospel, and I’m finding inspiration–not only in Scripture–but in classic hymns like “Just as I Am.” (click to listen).

The hymn’s writer, Charlotte Elliot, became an invalid at the age of 19.  Joni Eareckson Tada tells the following story:

Charlotte Elliot had a severe illness early on in life which left her in great pain and often bedridden. As a young girl, she often became frustrated with her disability, and she would lament that her physical problems left her so out of sorts and irritable. When a visiting preacher shared the Gospel with her, she replied, “Oh, that’s not for me; I’m not worthy; I’m not a very pleasant person.” But the preacher told her, “Oh, Charlotte you should come just as you are.” “Just as I am?” she asked, amazed, which is why, after she opened her heart to Christ, one of the first hymns she wrote was, “Just as I Am.”

So at the age of 32, Charlotte wrote “Just As I Am” as she wrestled with her feelings about the Christian faith in light of her infirmity.  William B. Bradbury set the lyrics to music and the hymn was published in 1849. This popular hymn has been translated into many different languages and is frequently played at revivals and crusades during which time many thousands of people have committed their lives to Jesus Christ.  Not a bad legacy for a woman who spent the majority of her life suffering.

Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidst me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot, To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt, Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; Sight, riches, healing of the mind, Yea, all I need in Thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thy love unknown Hath broken every barrier down; Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, of that free love The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove, Here for a season, then above, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!

The songwriter of Victory in Jesus, Eugene Monroe Bartlett, Sr., was born on Christmas Eve of 1885.  At an early age, he received Jesus Christ as his Savior and as he grew, he came to know his calling to publish hymns and teach singers to sight read.

At the age of 36, he established the Hartford Music Institute which was a shape-note school for teaching music.  (Shape notes—notes in which the heads were different shapes–were thought at the time to help with congregational singing in churches, particularly if music reading skills were limited).

Bartlett wrote many gospel music favorites which were performed and popularized by leading gospel quartets of their day, including several African-American gospel groups, something quite notable given the day in which Bartlett lived.

His commitment to nurturing the next generation of gospel songwriters and singers was evident in his sponsorship of emerging talent.  One of the best known shape note Southern gospel songwriters–Albert E. Brumley—got his start at Bartlett’s Hartford school and was eventually employed by Hartford Music.

In 1939, Bartlett became partially paralyzed due to a stroke, making it impossible for him to continue to perform and travel.  However, as is the case with so many people who are devoted to their calling, they rise above their circumstances to create a crowning achievement.  Bartlett wrote his last work—and arguably his most beloved song– “Victory in Jesus” while paralyzed.  Read the lyrics below in a new light, knowing this backstory. Or listen to the great George Beverly Shea singing this gospel classic by clicking here.

Victory in Jesus

I heard an old, old story,

How a Savior came from glory,

How He gave His life on Calvary

To save a wretch like me;

I heard about His groaning,

Of His precious blood’s atoning

Then I repented of my sins;

And won the victory.

Refrain:   O victory in Jesus,

 My Savior, forever.

 He sought me and bought me

 With His redeeming blood;

 He loved me ere I knew Him,

 And all my love is due Him,

 He plunged me to victory,

 Beneath the cleansing flood

I heard about His healing,

Of His cleansing power revealing.

How He made the lame to walk again

And caused the blind to see;

And then I cried, “Dear Jesus,

Come and heal my broken spirit,”

And somehow Jesus came and brought

To me the victory.

 Refrain

I heard about a mansion

He has built for me in glory.

And I heard about the streets of gold

Beyond the crystal sea;

About the angels singing,

And the old redemption story,

And some sweet day I’ll sing up there

The song of victory.

 Refrain

The classic hymn, How Great Thou Art!, has long been many people’s favorite.  It has been performed by choirs and popular musicians alike.  Today I offer you two links–the cyber-hymnal as usual–and the version performed at the Academy of Country Music Awards with Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill. 

(note: I left the link above which does not work because FB’s metaverse for How Great Thou Art says it has been removed for repetitive content.  What a world.  Try this link for Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill singing the repetitive How Great Thou Art…because God is just that great and we can’t say it or sing it enough!)

O Lord my God, 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:

Refrain

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!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees,
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

Refrain

And when I think that God, 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.

Refrain

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!
Then I shall bow in humble adoration,
And there proclaim, My God, how great thou art!

This hymn, Praise the Lord, God’s Glories Show, is a tutorial on praise.  If you’re ever stuck in a rut, trying to think about new ideas for praise, this is a great start!  Click here to listen.

Praise the Lord, God’s glories show, Alleluia! Saints within God’s courts below, Alleluia! Angels round the throne above, Alleluia! All that see and share God’s love, Alleluia!

Earth to Heaven and Heaven to earth, Alleluia! Tell the wonders, sing God’s worth, Alleluia! Age to age and shore to shore, Alleluia! Praise God, praise forevermore! Alleluia!

Praise the Lord, great mercies trace, Alleluia! Praise His providence and grace, Alleluia! All that God for us has done, Alleluia! All God sends us through the Son. Alleluia!

Strings and voices, hands and hearts, Alleluia! In the concert bear your parts, Alleluia! All that breathe, your Lord adore, Alleluia! Praise Him, praise Him evermore!