THE “RED-BACK”
America’s Best-Loved Gospel Hymnal
◆ BY DELTON L. ALFORD ◆
I
STILL RECALL the sense of excite- history, it has sold millions of copies. independents have used this hymnal for
ment and pride I felt when, as Although the Red-back presents differ- many years. Its music is sung in the Brit-
a boy, I first held a copy of the ing music styles and forms, gospel songs ish Isles, Great Britain, Europe, Canada,
hardback, maroon-colored Church comprise the majority of its 410 selec- Africa, South America, and many other
Hymnal in my hands. As an eager and tions. It is printed in the seven-shape- parts of the world. Prominent writers
developing Church of God musician, note format and remains one of the few include James D. Vaughan, Fanny J.
I was so happy that we finally had our hymnals using this unique style of nota- Crosby, Adger M. Pace, Otis L. McCoy,
own hymnal like all the other churches tion into the 21st century. Favorite titles V. B. (Vep) Ellis, Albert E. Brumley,
in town. include “Amazing Grace,” “Blessed Assur- E. M. Bartlett, and Thomas A. Dorsey.
From that day and continuing ance,” “There Is Power in the Blood,” “I’ll If a hymnal is most simply defined as
throughout my youth and adult life, Fly Away,” “I’ll Meet You in the Morn- “the songbook of the people,” then this
I have come to intimately know and ing,” “That Glad Reunion Day,” “The collection of music is certainly worthy of
appreciate the music contained in this Eastern Gate,” and “Living by Faith.”, g y its title Church Hymnal.
very special publication. Even now, when One prominent news agency declared
traveling by car, my wife and I will often the Church Hymnal to be the most influ-
try to better one another by demonstrat- ential gospel hymnal of the 20th century.
ing our ability to quote from memory Its music has been featured on the musi-
several of our favorite songs: page 120, cal stage and in television and film pro-
“Victory in Jesus”; 264, “At the Cross”; ductions, and has been recorded by gos-
184, “He Abides”; 50, “In the Sweet For- pel quartets, country and western artists,
ever”; and on and on it goes. church and choral groups, contemporary
The music tradition of the Church of Christian artists, and worship leaders.
God has always emphasized fervent and It is with great appreciation and pride
effective communication through sing- that I can say that God, through the
ing. Its earliest practices grew from sing- lives and works of dedicated lyricists and
ing traditional hymns to embracing new tunesmiths, gave the Church of God not
forms of personal and corporate worship just another hymnal, but a distinctive
through singing gospel hymns, gospel and potentially life-changing collection
songs or “convention songs,” and cho- of songs. It is with hearts of thanksgiving
ruses. The gospel song not only survived, that we accept this gift as the providence
but it became a powerful force in the of God for His people and we commend
development of music in the Evangelical it to the church for continued use and
and Pentecostal movements. spiritual blessing.
One of the most significant collec- ChCChristians of all ethnic groups, agehriiststiai nsn of ala l etethnhnici gror upu s agege
tions of hymns and gospel songs is the distinctions, denominations, stylistic Delton Alford, Ph.D., is the
Church Hymnal, or “Red-back,” as it came preferences, and musical tastes appreciate director of SpiritSound Music
to be affectionately called. Published in the quality and diversity of the songs in Group, the Department of
1951 by Tennessee Music and Printing this publication. Seldom does a hymnal Music Ministries at the Church
Company, through the efforts of Otis L. last so long and enjoy such influence and of God International Offices.
McCoy and others, this book contains a popularity.
few traditional hymns, many gospel and/ Music contained in the Church Hym- Editor’s Note: The Church Hymnal remains
or convention songs, some choruses, and nal has transcended denominational one of the best-selling publications of
several songs for special occasions. and cultural barriers and has gained a Pathway Press, with some 40,000 copies
The book has come to be known worldwide influence. Southern Baptists, being sold in 2009. More Baptist congre-
as perhaps the best single repository of Freewill Baptists, Methodists, Presby- gations purchase the Church Hymnal than
gospel hymnody. In its almost 60-year terians, Anglicans, Pentecostals, and any other denominational demographic.
16 EVANGEL • MAR 2010
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