Let All That Is Within Me – Anonymous, or Melvin Harrell

Some songs lend themselves to innovation, so that the worshipper may intone whatever moves his or her spirit. Whatever is inside comes out. What would you say in the presence of God? That is the method suggested by the song “Let All That Is Within Me”. Perhaps some campers were around a fire (like the one shown here), challenging each other to deepen their commitment to Him. What one word comes from deep inside a worshipper when the Lord is encountered personally? Any two-syllable word will do in this song, so anyone can contribute to its authorship, as long as the feelings are genuine. 

Who was the song’s composer? Some sources indicate that Melvin Harrell wrote this song in 1963, while at least one hymnal (Songs of Faith and Praise, Howard Publishing 1994) shows its composer is considered ‘traditional’ (therefore anonymous). Another source (Praise Chorus Book, Maranatha Music 1983) shows Harrell as the translator, with the composer unknown, suggesting the song was in a foreign language at one time. Nothing further is known of Melvin Harrell. Did he associate with believers from another culture or language, allowing him access to this song? (UPDATE: In November 2014, someone commented on this blog entry [see comment 1 below] that Melvin had learned of the song in the native language of Ghana when he was a missionary there. Great stuff, which makes this a fresh scoop of information! Thanks for reading!)

The key words used in the different verses of this simple tune capture the basic responses of humans who contact the awesome God. ‘Worthy’, ‘risen’, ‘coming’, ‘holy’, ‘Jesus’, are just a few of them that have been recorded for us. What was it Moses and Peter said when they met the Almighty? You might call it worship, but the initial reaction seemed also to be of alarm, and recognition of their own deficiencies. So, if I’m honest and understand I’m in the same boat with these biblical characters, when I first meet Him I might instead say “Let all that is within me cry terror!”  Fortunately, that’s only the initial response, not where God wanted Moses and Peter, nor me, to remain.  

So, choose your emotional response, the song invites. Gather around the fire, and get in touch with what others might be seeing when they look for Him. Perhaps this was the goal of some believers or searchers when this song was born.  It’s never too late to discover something new about Him that someone else has encountered. Am I in trouble, crying out to Him for help? How about marveling at His nature…is that where I’m at? Do I expect Him to return one day, prompting me to sing with joyful anticipation? Perhaps my emotions are mixed up, and I only cry out with my spirit, unable to vocalize what I feel. Just call on His name. One of the verses allows that response too. ‘Jesus’ is all I need to say, sometimes. Just let Him hear from you.  

The below sites indicate that Melvin Harrell is the composer (possibly original?), copyright in 1963.

http://www.hymnary.org/tune/let_all_that_is_within_me

http://www.higherpraise.com/lyrics/cool/l/LET%20ALL%20THAT%20IS%20WITHIN%20ME.htm

http://www.songslyrics.jotoexplorer.com/vineyard/let-all-that-is-within-me-lyrics-and-chords-artist-melvin-harrell/

Be Thou My Vision - Dallan Forgaill?

The classic hymn “Be Thou My Vision” has a theme based on sight. This song’s history likewise has a similar sentiment. The words may have been written by Dallan Forgaill, a Christian Irish poet who lived in the sixth century. It’s said that he studied so much that he lost his sight, so perhaps the song’s words were an actual physical request that he was making to God. His first name ‘Dallan’ was a nickname in his native tongue that means “little blind one”. The song’s tune is based on an 8th Century Irish folk melody, called Slane. Notice on perhaps any page printing this particular song that the word ‘Slane’ may be written somewhere, telling us that’s the tune which was adopted for use with the words in the hymn “Be Thou My Vision” in the Middle Ages. The story of Slane (perhaps a legend) involves St. Patrick and a confrontation he had with a pagan king in Ireland in the 5th Century. Patrick was a great Christian missionary to Ireland, whom you may have heard in folklore drove the snakes out of the country, and used a Shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. The first Easter that Patrick was in Ireland, he wanted to celebrate the holiday by lighting an Easter fire on the hill of Slane, not far from High King Laoghaire’s castle. This drew the king’s ire (no pun intended), who was also intent upon celebrating a pagan holiday in the same fashion by lighting a fire in the castle. The Druid priests (a pre-Christian religious order in the Middle Ages) advising Laoghaire warned him Patrick’s fire must be quenched or it would never die out, and would in fact spread a foreign doctrine. Patrick is said to have escaped Laoghaire’s death sentence, and in fact history records that Patrick did a great deal to organize Christianity and overthrow paganism in Ireland. Notice the words in “Be Thou My Vision” seem to echo what Patrick stood for, and entreat us to do the same. He celebrated Christ in his life, exhibiting it for all to see - -like a fire on the hill of Slane – no matter what threats others around him used to try to silence him. Verses 3 and 4 of the hymn tell us the true High King is in heaven, and Patrick most certainly knew this also, refusing to bow to King Laoghaire in 5th Century Ireland. The priests in old Israel offered, even before they entered Canaan, sacrifices to God by fire. And God was a pillar of fire to lead the people out of the wilderness. Moses records in Exodus (13:22), “Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.” Lord, when my own fire dies, I thank you that yours does not. May I be like Patrick, brave, with my vision lit by your presence. Information on the song was developed from an encyclopedia and two Wikipedia sites: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Be_Thou_My_Vision http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dall%C3%A1n_Forgaill