Music Is The River

I was recently reading about the history behind one of the most popular American choruses that has stretched the world over... Jesus Loves Me. 

Millions upon millions of people have sung this simple hymn all over the world, but it has a strange beginning...

It wasn't originally written as a song. 

It was written as a poem by Anna Warner for her sister's novel, Say and Seal, in 1860. The poem had no chorus, just a couple of verses, and would have been largely lost to the world (as lost as that book title is for example) were it not for music. 

The music, along with the chorus, was added in 1862 by William Bradbury who wrote many other famous hymns in the 19th century. 

The musicality added to the poem allowed for it to be shipped all over the world such as John F. Kennedy found in 1943 in the Solomon Islands. After his ship had been sunk and his company of soliders were taken in by islanders, the islanders sang Jesus Loves Me with them, having been taught the hymn by missionaries.

And this is why I say, "music is the river," because without it our stories and experiences are largely lost and forgotten. But with music you have a current, like a river, that carries your memories to future generations. 

So, what music are you making? 

What memories will you pass along? 

Haven't started yet? 

Come see how we might help you making music on the guitar this New Year. 

And send your stories down whatever musical current you wish. 

Check out an overview of our guitar method with a chance to enroll in our January term. 

Jam soon,

JB