I am almost finished going through this little hymnbook that I have here. It’s an old Singspiration folk Hymnal. Anyways, I’m hoping to finish up soon so I can either give it to my lady who likes the old songbooks I have, or put it back on our hymnal shelf. It’s a rather nice song with a forward looking theme.
A little silver and a little gold
But in that city where the ransomed will shine
I want a gold one that’s silver lined
In that bright land where we’ll never grow old
And some day yonder we will never more wander
But walk on streets that are purest gold
I’m not discouraged I’m heaven bound
I’m but a pilgrim in search of the city
I want a mansion, a harp and a crown
In that bright land where we’ll never grow old
And some day yonder we will never more wander
But walk on streets that are purest gold
Written by Ira F. Stanphill in 1949. He also wrote Happiness is the Lord. Born in New Mexico, he spent most of his formative years in Kansas. He became a pastor within the Assemblies of God. Later on he gave up pastoring to focus on evangelistic meeting and concerting.
According this Wiki Article I found, he was known to “Occasionally as part of his crusades, he would ask members of the congregation to suggest titles for songs. Selecting one title from the suggestions, he would write words and music for a song during the service.” Doesn’t that show talent?
Comments
I Found it interesting when I was looking for videos to share how often the songs would start the same, but then they would vary from the tune I had in my head. It’s a bit disconcerting to start singing along and then oops… that’s not how they are singing it! Slight changes matter!
I love the forward looking of this old gospel tune. Knowing what we have here, and what we have to look forward to. Do you ever consider that? Does it make a difference in your contentment levels to know that here is temporary. Might be a life of struggle (or not) but either way we have something to look forward to, and that (at least for me) makes the going easier.
This hymn has been a favorite of mine since I was a child and all of my girls like it, too. I have beautiful memories of each of the girls singing it in the car at the top of their lungs. 🙂