Behind the Songs

Lord, I Don’t Even Have a Title!

Scripture: John 10:22-30
My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

Song: His Hand in Mine

Mosie Lister, a native of Cochran, Georgia, born there in 1921, had the good fortune of growing up in a musical home. Very early in life it was evident that he was going to be a man of music. Yet, there was little indication in those early years that he was grow up to be one of the most influential men of Southern Gospel Music to ever come upon the scene.

When he was twenty years of age he was offered a singing position with The Sunny South Quartet. It was a wonderful opportunity, but Lister would quickly declare that he had much rather be writing music than singing. Writing music was a dream that goes back to his boyhood.

His years in the Navy did not lessen his desire to write music and to be involved in its presentation to Southern Gospel fans. Shortly after his discharge from military duty, he was instrumental in forming a group called The Melody Masters. This launched him into a music career, the result of which was that he helped chart the direction of Southern Gospel Music for years to come. A major reason for his influence was his association with the famed Statesmen Quartet, as a singer and an arranger.

Hovie Lister, for years the leader of the Statesmen Quartet said, “I give him credit for molding the style and sound of the Statesmen.” Whether as a singer or arranger, Mosie’s interaction with that group helped boost their popularity. He often wrote songs especially for the Statesmen, and particularly for Big Chief Weatherington and Jake Hess, singers in the group.

Several years later, in 1953, Mosie penned one of his greatest masterpieces. Let’s let him, in his own words, tell how it happened:

“One day I was casually playing on the piano, just going from chord to the next and creating little melodies. I wasn’t trying to write anything, just having a little fun in my own mind with my limited keyboard ability. After a bit I found myself playing what became the melody for a song that I later would write.

“I played it all the way through and then repeated the whole thing. It stuck in my mind, and for a year, every time I sat down to play the piano, I would automatically start playing that little melody. It was easy to play, and it fit my hand. I like it, but I didn’t have any words for it. I wondered if I could write lyrics for it, and for a time, I couldn’t up with a single idea.

“One day while returning from a town about seventy miles southwest of Atlanta, I started thinking about the fact that I just couldn’t write words to that melody. I suddenly remembered an old pastor friend of mine who often stated that we ought to talk to God, at times, like we would talk to a friend or an older brother. He said that we should use plain, everyday English and just say exactly what we feel at the time. I thought, ‘That’s what I’ll do.’

“I stopped the car by the side of the road and said, ‘Lord, I hope you are listening, and I believe you are. I have this melody, and I’ve been trying to write words for it and just don’t have anything as yet. I have no idea what to say in the song. I don’t even have a title; I don’t have a single word. If it is Your will for this song to be written, I ask You to write it for me, because I simply cannot do it in my own strength. I give up. If you want it written, just write it. Tell me the words and I’ll write them down.’

“I started the car again and drove home. By the time I reached our house, I had all of the lyrics in my mind, title and all. I went into the house and took my guitar and played it. I sang it to my wife, and she love it. There were a couple of places in the song that bothered me, so I didn’t show the song to anyone else for several weeks. I eventually rewrote the beginning of the chorus, but otherwise didn’t change a thing.

“I soon showed it to some friends who were professional singers and asked them to try it and let me know they thought. My impression was that it didn’t excite a single person.

After about a year, a couple of singing groups finally recorded it, but nothing special happened to it. A few years later a new singer on the scene by the name of Elvis Presley recorded it. I became the title of his first gospel album. I had no idea he even knew the song, but since his recording of it, His Hand in Mine has been established as a standard in Christian music.

Reflection:
Isn’t it magnificent how God wants to take over when we come to the end of our own way. And, He always make it turn out right.