Did he write something that perhaps emerged from his own experience and-or from the stories he read from a book in his hands? Something in his own circumstances or study led John Roy Harris to visualize “Hilltops of Glory” when he was 29 years old in 1944. By this time in his life Roy was most likely in north-central Kansas (perhaps in or near Cawker City, in Mitchell County – see the map-picture), where he taught school and preached bible messages as a young man. He had learned something about climbing hills, apparently, and so he persuaded others to do the same. Look upward and press onward toward that goal, though its location may require physical and emotional energy that challenges and even threatens you with overexertion. Judging from what Roy had to say, he thought the objective was worth the effort.
Roy Harris’ upbringing and his apparent awareness of biblical scripture must have contributed to his outlook and what he would write in 1944. Some brief biographical information about Roy indicates he was raised on a southern Missouri farm surrounded by the Ozarks, a moderately mountainous region in the southeastern plains of the American continent. Roy probably could tell of many times when climbing hills was part of daily life as a youngster engaged in farm chores. Harris didn’t stop climbing hills even after he left the farm and went to Indiana University and Southwest Missouri State College. And, singing schools and preaching were part of the hike for Roy. From what he wrote in three verses and a refrain of poetry, Roy was also very familiar with bible stories that tell of ancient characters who likewise needed to hike steep terrain for one reason or other. Two episodes could have been in Roy’s mind when he wrote about Moses (Exodus 17:9-10) in his second verse; and about Jesus (verse three) who reminded His followers to be lights upon a hill that everyone can see (Matthew 5:14). Can you hear the farm kid and the bible teacher emerging from Roy’s poetry? Others might have complained that the terrain caused muscle ache, but Roy speaks of ‘rejoicing’ and of an assurance that everything is ‘new’ (v.1) on the hilltop. While others might have noticed that the hilltop spot makes its occupant obvious to even one’s enemies, Roy considered that position ‘safe…’ (refrain). For Roy, the uphill journey evidently engendered a physical and emotional fitness that doesn’t end once the peak is conquered. That’s because the expedition is ongoing, like it was for Moses, who was ‘…always ascend (ing)’ (v.2), and for Jesus’ followers who are on a ‘life’s journey…on the upward trail’ (v.3). We don’t stop exercising and begin relaxing on the sofa because we’ve ‘arrived’. That’s because Roy didn’t see a single hilltop, but multiple ones. Apparently, Roy would climb one hill, and then look for the next one. He climbed many hills on that southern Missouri farm, probably urged on by others nearby who were doing the same.
And, is it possible that Roy heard and learned about something else from the time in which he wrote, in the early and mid-1940s? Millions of men went off to war, an event that touched virtually the entire civilized world. Even if Roy was not in uniform, he may have heard about sergeants who drilled their troops with a song on their lips, in order to motivate each other onward and upward. And, the folks at home who rationed food and other products so that the troops could be supplied must have also felt they were linking arms with the soldiers, joining in the struggle of World War II. This generation may have thought this was the biggest hill they ever climbed, and rightfully celebrated when it was over and they realized they had survived. But, does climbing really end? Comradeship, shared struggle and triumph, toning the mind and body – all that happens by climbing. That part came through to Roy; he recommended this for ‘each passing day’ (v.1), and ‘never turn (ing) backward’ (v.2). That’s the perspective one gains as you take more steps, and go higher and higher up that slope. Is that peak closer than it was yesterday?
See brief information on the author here: http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/h/a/r/r/i/s/harris_r.htm
See biography on composer in Our Garden of Song, edited by Gene C. Finley, Howard Publishing Company, West Monroe, Louisiana, 1980.
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