Category: hymns

Culture, Gospel music, Hymns, hymns, Modern Life1 Comment

Poplar Tent Memories: album release

Gary Furr

I have updated and re-released an album I put together with some friends ten years ago, POPLAR TENT MEMORIES. The name of the album comes from the road where I lived after I was born, Poplar Tent Road, in Concord, NC.  There was no Interstate 85 roaring through, moonshiners lived down the road and my grandpa and grandma were two houses away. I attended Poplar Grove Baptist Church before I could walk. My Grandpa Price led the music, and I have memories of the singing from pre-age five. Poplar Tent Memories is sixteen songs from the 2011 album and some … Continue reading Poplar Tent Memories: album release

Advent, Christianity, Christmas, Dr. Gary Furr & Friends, Faith, fear, folk music, Gary Furr music, God, Gospel music, Hope, Hymns, hymns, Jesus, Music, Narrative, spirituality, Story, Theology1 Comment

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Gary Furr

I confess, I have now been part of a ukelele flash mob, back when mobbing was not a public health crisis. But enough of that. Every year, the curmudgeons, musicians all, who inhabit the couch and chairs at Fretted Instruments of Homewood, contribute tracks for a Christmas CD that is given away. This is one I did a few years ago–ukelele, mandolin, dobro and guitar played by yours truly. Oh, and banjo, just for good measure. Merry Christmas! “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” was penned by Edmund Sears. Sears was a divinity graduate of Harvard and became a Unitarian … Continue reading It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Abide with Me, Contemporary Christian Music, Death, Disappointment, Family, Grief, Hope, Hymns, hymns, Ministry, Suffering

Abide With Me

Gary Furr

Henry Francis Lyte was an Anglican priest who originally intended to be a doctor, but then entered the ministry. He was a prize-winning poet during his university years, and best known for his elegant hymn, “Abide With Me.” He continued to write religious poetry through his life.  He was born in 1793 and died when he was only fifty-four years of age. The first verse captures a transcendent and haunting mood: “Abide with me; fast falls the eventide; The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide. When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me.” … Continue reading Abide With Me