Based on John 20:18
Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.
Words & Music: C. Austin Miles, March 1912:
In 1912 the music publisher Dr. Adam Geible wanted author and composer C. Austin Miles to write something that was “sympathetic in tone, breathng tenderness in every line; one that would bring tenderness in every line; one that would bring hope to the hopeless, rest for the weary, and downy pillows to dying beds.”
I read…the story of the greatest morn in history: ‘The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, while it was yet very dark, unto the sepulcher.’ Instantly, completely, there unfolded in my mind the scenes of the garden of Joseph….Out of the mists of the garden comes a form, halting, hesitating, tearful, seeking, turning from side to side in bewildering amazement. Falteringly, bearing grief in every accent, with tear-dimmed eyes, she whispers, ‘If thou hast borne him hence’… ‘He speaks, and the sound of His voice is so sweet the birds hush their singing.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ Just one word from his lips, and forgotten the heartaches, the long dreary hours….all the past blotted out in the presence of the Living Present and the Eternal Future.’
This hymn was sung in the movie Places in the Heart, which won two Academy Awards in 1984.
C. Austin Miles (1868-1946)
I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
Refrain
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
other has ever known.
He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
Refrain
I’d stay in the garden with Him
Though the night around me be falling,
But He bids me go; through the voice of woe
His voice to me is calling.
Refrain
References: In The Garden
Amazing Grace by Kenneth W. Osbeck, p. 116
Most information from The Cyber Hymnal
See ~ Wordless Birds
More ~ Birds in Hymns
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Singing “In The Garden” by mercy2us
Musical Only by ilovetrains63
Another by gorgrel
My guess is the singer in the 3rd clip is Evie who sang with the Billy Graham Crusades in the 70’s and/or 80’s.
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I have never heard a more beautiful arrangement of this hymn in over 46 years of singing it. I have been a church music director for 30 plus years and this is just the best arrangement ever… not to mention the singer. Can you please tell me who (lady) is singing this LAST version of In the Garden (You Tube)… as well as who wrote this arrangement? I would very much appreciate the information. Is gorgrel the singer or singing group?
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Hi Phil,
I do not know any thing about the writing of that version of the hymn. You may be able to follow the leads at this link for the video. href=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-K_h9sAET0″ rel=”nofollow”>
also: http://www.youtube.com/user/gorgrel
I see there are several videos by gorgel, who is from the United Kingdom.
Thanks for stopping by this site. Lee
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