Maybe the
two of them saw this watercolor drawing (a William Blake etching from 1794), or
perhaps they had just imagined something similar from the prophet Daniel’s written
description. The latter was how Jamie Harvill remembers the gestation
inspiration for the “Ancient of Days” that he and his long-time friend Gary
Sadler co-wrote in 1991. One might even say that their decision to collaborate
had begun years earlier when Jamie was travelling and performing, and also
meeting and getting to know Gary while on the road. Could they have known that
one day in a small room in Jamie’s house in Mobile, Alabama, the two of them
would craft and tape the song on a small four-track recorder? They seemed to
know that they would work together on something special; others who heard what they’d
done soon thereafter agreed that they were right.
Jamie
Harvill and Gary Sadler were in the early stages of their musical careers when
they got together to brainstorm “Ancient of Days” in a converted bedroom – a
rather inauspicious venue for what they wanted to accomplish. Gary was out of
work, but sensed that he wanted to make music work in his life. And Jamie used
a gift of $100 to help complete his investment in the equipment that he needed
to launch their songwriting and recording venture. So, a son’s bedroom in Jamie’s
house became their ad hoc studio, with some key scripture and their own desires
creating the foundation for what they’d write. Daniel chapter 7 captured their
imagination, as they thought about being around the throne of the One they
wished to honor. But, rather than describe Him, Jamie and Gary chose to focus
on their response to seeing Him. So many visons inhabit the story of the Ancient
of Days and the trappings that Daniel saw --perhaps so breathtaking that Gary
and Jamie felt inadequate to further depict Him, either verbally or musically. His hair is like wool and a flaming throne is
nearby, and four bizarre creatures usher in the scenery of this episode about
God. How do we and others address Him appropriately? These two 20th
Century songwriters chose to echo the Daniel 7 worshippers – after all, what other
method and whose words would be more fitting? Glory, authority, power – they’re
all His, Harvill and Sandler remind us. And, every nation, every tongue joins in
this unique, never-before-heard chorus. Sounds exciting!
Those who
heard the Harvill-Sandler creation saw and heard what the two men must have
hoped would translate to worshippers. We who are so far away – in time and distance
– from what Daniel saw, may lament our position. That doesn’t have to remain so,
however, if I embrace the words and the music that Jamie and Gary provide here.
Enter the scenery of Daniel, and be amazed by His wooly hair, the blazing
throne, and the fiery river. Join in with the thousands – even more? – that surround
you, adoring Him who has always been, and who will always be, too. If everyone
is speaking in his or her own language, do you suppose He will make us able to
understand each other? Will it be like what He did at Pentecost (Acts 2)? It’ll
be amazing to be there to see and hear that! Now do you feel like singing what Jamie
and Gary wrote?
A source for the song story is the book “Celebrate Jesus:
The Stories behind Your Favorite Praise and Worship Songs”, by Phil Christensen
and Shari MacDonald, Kregel Publications, 2003.
See here for information about one of the authors: https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=Jamie+Harvill
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