Saturday, August 4, 2007

"LITTLE BROWN CHURCH IN THE VALE"

While searching hymns the other day, I found another website that lists and plays hymns. This old hymn was one of my mother's favorites I believe.

Word of the Lord by Jack Sorenson
Word of the Lord


LITTLE BROWN CHURCH IN THE VALE
Church in the Wildwood

There's a church in the valley by the wildwood,
No lovelier spot in the dale;
No place is so dear to my childhood,
As the little brown church in the vale.

Refrain

Come to the church in the wildwood,
Oh, come to the church in the dale,
No spot is so dear to my childhood,
As the little brown church in the vale.

How sweet on a clear Sabbath morning,
To list to the clear ringing bell;
Its tones so sweetly calling,
Oh, come to the church in the vale.

Refrain

There, close by the church in the valley,
Lies one that I loved so well;
She sleeps, sweetly sleeps, 'neath the willow,
Disturb not her rest in the vale.

Refrain

There, close by the side of that loved one,
To trees where the wildflowers bloom,
When the farewell hymn shall be chanted
I shall rest by her side in the tomb.

Refrain

From the church in the valley in the wildwood,
When day fades away into night,
I would fain from this spot of my childhood
Wing my way to the mansions of light.

Refrain

Come to the church in the wildwood,
Oh, come to the church in the dale,
No spot is so dear to my childhood,
As the little brown church in the vale.

Words and Music: William Savage Pitts (1857)

Listen to the hymn at The Cyber Hymnal

You can also find the hymn here listed as Church in the Wildwood.

Picture courtesy of All Posters

11 comments:

Lovella ♥ said...

Thank you for visiting my blog and for your kind comment.
This song brings back memories of heading out on holidays with my family years ago. We would travel some desolate roads but we always knew that when we would turn the corner of the little old church forgotten on top of a hill, all brown and weathered my mom would start us out on this song.
I haven't heard it in ages.

Cathy said...

You are welcome. I enjoyed it. I expect it will bring back memories for a lot of us. :-) It seems like I heard an instrumental version of it- made in the mountains, years ago, that I loved.

Saija said...

i can pretty well sing this from memory ... :o)

i always loved this song ... :o)

Cathy said...

That is neat, Saija. I was happy to find it listed and to be reminded of it. :-)

Susanne said...

Just beautiful!

Thanks for coming by my site today!sovodzo

Cathy said...

Thank you, Susanne. Your site was pretty.

Kerri said...

I so enjoy singing the beautiful old hymns. This one is a beauty and I love "Come Thy Fount.." The Welsh ones are special favorites.
Thanks for visiting. It's fun to "meet" new blog friends and share the flowers :)

Lallee said...

Cathy, what a lovely blog you have! Your selection of hymns is just wonderful.

My son lives in NC~one of my most favorite states!

Cathy said...

Kerri, I'm glad you enjoy singing old hymns."Meeting" friends and sharing really is fun. :-)

Lallee, I appreciate your nice comments. Now I am wondering if your son lives near me. :o)

Jodi said...

Oh my, I'm surprised Mimi (my mom) didn't comment on this song. My dad has sung this many times ... love it! :o)

Cathy said...

It does remind us of our parents, doesn't it. I think my mother used to sing it. Maybe your Dad would like to see it. :-)