“Therefore, this is what I will do to you, Israel, and because I will do this to you, Israel, prepare to meet your God.” Amos 4:12
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By Shannon Pederson
There was a lot of toe-tapping going on when the Cornerstone Quintet sang “This Ole House” at their concert at our church. It’s no wonder it reached the top of the popular music charts in both the United States and United Kingdom in 1954. And, Rosemary Clooney was the singer who made it happen.
The song was written by Stuart Hamblen, an American entertainer who became one of radio's first singing cowboys in 1926. He later went on to become an actor, song writer, and radio show host. The origin of the song is very interesting and has a spiritual twist.
A lot of people, upon hearing the lyrics to “This Ole House,” asked Hamblen if there was a hidden meaning in the words to the song. The answer was yes.
Hamblen and a friend were hunting in the High Sierras of California. They found a little old cabin that had almost been demolished by a wild storm. The only living thing around it was a starving old hound dog. In the back room they found a little old prospector that had cashed in his chips.
As they surveyed the wreckage of the storm, the friend suggested that Hamblen write a song about the situation. Later on, riding down the canyon with the old hound dog on the pommel of his saddle, he got to thinking. In his words, Hamblen felt, “This old house, one made of wood and steel, shall all come down. And my own house, made of clay, it’s got to go too. But there’s a big difference between houses and people. Although houses may be scattered in the winds of a wild storm and its debris scattered over the hillside, the soul inside shall, in God’s own good time, be gathered by the saints.”
Aren’t we all getting ready to meet the saints? By the way, Hamblen’s hunting friend was none other than John Wayne.
Over the years, “This Ole House” has been recorded by many artists. The list includes Bing Crosby, Jimmy Dean, Johnny Tillotson, The Statler Brothers, Carl Perkins, Loretta Lynn, Brenda Lee, Dolly Parton, Ray Stevens, Bill and Gloria Gaither, Johnny Cash, and Willie Nelson.
By Shannon Pederson
There was a lot of toe-tapping going on when the Cornerstone Quintet sang “This Ole House” at their concert at our church. It’s no wonder it reached the top of the popular music charts in both the United States and United Kingdom in 1954. And, Rosemary Clooney was the singer who made it happen.
The song was written by Stuart Hamblen, an American entertainer who became one of radio's first singing cowboys in 1926. He later went on to become an actor, song writer, and radio show host. The origin of the song is very interesting and has a spiritual twist.
A lot of people, upon hearing the lyrics to “This Ole House,” asked Hamblen if there was a hidden meaning in the words to the song. The answer was yes.
Hamblen and a friend were hunting in the High Sierras of California. They found a little old cabin that had almost been demolished by a wild storm. The only living thing around it was a starving old hound dog. In the back room they found a little old prospector that had cashed in his chips.
As they surveyed the wreckage of the storm, the friend suggested that Hamblen write a song about the situation. Later on, riding down the canyon with the old hound dog on the pommel of his saddle, he got to thinking. In his words, Hamblen felt, “This old house, one made of wood and steel, shall all come down. And my own house, made of clay, it’s got to go too. But there’s a big difference between houses and people. Although houses may be scattered in the winds of a wild storm and its debris scattered over the hillside, the soul inside shall, in God’s own good time, be gathered by the saints.”
Aren’t we all getting ready to meet the saints? By the way, Hamblen’s hunting friend was none other than John Wayne.
Over the years, “This Ole House” has been recorded by many artists. The list includes Bing Crosby, Jimmy Dean, Johnny Tillotson, The Statler Brothers, Carl Perkins, Loretta Lynn, Brenda Lee, Dolly Parton, Ray Stevens, Bill and Gloria Gaither, Johnny Cash, and Willie Nelson.
This ole house once knew his children
This ole house once new his wife
This ole house was home and comfort
As they fought the storms of life
This ole house once rang with laughter
This ole house heard many shouts
Now he trembles in the darkness
When the lightning walks about.
Chorus
Ain't a gonna need this house no longer
Ain't a gonna need this house no more
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor
Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend no window panes
Ain't gonna need this house no longer
He's getting ready to meet the saints
This ole house is getting shaky
This ole house is getting old
This ole house lets in the rain
This ole house lets in the cold
Oh his knees are a getting chilly
But he feels no fear nor pain
Cause he seeks a new tomorrow
Through a golden window pain
(Chorus)
This ole house is afraid of thunder
This ole house is afraid of storms
This ole house just groans and trembles
When the night wind flings it arms
This ole house is getting feeble
This ole house is a needing paint
Just like him it's tuckered out
He's a getting ready to meet the saints
(Chorus)
Now my old hound dog lies a sleepin'
He don't know I'm gonna leave
Else he'd wake up by the fireplace
And he'd hound more and grieve
But my huntin' days are over
Ain't gonna hunt the coon no more
Gabriel just brought in my chariot
When the wind blew down the door
(Chorus)
This ole house once knew his children
This ole house once new his wife
This ole house was home and comfort
As they fought the storms of life
This ole house once rang with laughter
This ole house heard many shouts
Now he trembles in the darkness
When the lightning walks about.
Chorus
Ain't a gonna need this house no longer
Ain't a gonna need this house no more
Ain't got time to fix the shingles
Ain't got time to fix the floor
Ain't got time to oil the hinges
Nor to mend no window panes
Ain't gonna need this house no longer
He's getting ready to meet the saints
This ole house is getting shaky
This ole house is getting old
This ole house lets in the rain
This ole house lets in the cold
Oh his knees are a getting chilly
But he feels no fear nor pain
Cause he seeks a new tomorrow
Through a golden window pain
(Chorus)
This ole house is afraid of thunder
This ole house is afraid of storms
This ole house just groans and trembles
When the night wind flings it arms
This ole house is getting feeble
This ole house is a needing paint
Just like him it's tuckered out
He's a getting ready to meet the saints
(Chorus)
Now my old hound dog lies a sleepin'
He don't know I'm gonna leave
Else he'd wake up by the fireplace
And he'd hound more and grieve
But my huntin' days are over
Ain't gonna hunt the coon no more
Gabriel just brought in my chariot
When the wind blew down the door
(Chorus)
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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11