Working on a Building

Well, I didn't notice until today that there are two completely different versions of this song. The one I had in mind was Elvis Presley's version (which is basically just the refrain, repeated over and over).

ELVIS

Well, I'm a-workin' on a building

It's a true foundation

I'm holding up the blood-stained

Banner for my Lord

Well, I never get tired (tired, tired)

Of working on the building (for my Lord)

I'm going up to heaven (oh, yeah)

To get my reward

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YP-wODhJRPk

Here is an even better rendition by GAITHER VOCAL BAND

Sometimes I'm crying 

But I'm workin...

Sometimes I'm praying

But I'm workin...

Sometimes I'm preaching

But I'm workin...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFfIlMJqh34

And one by the OAK RIDGE BOYS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSQMiTZSmS0

* * *

Now, here's the more traditional Bluegrass song with the same title, but a completely different song.

BLUEGRASS

If I was a sinner I tell you what I would do

I’d quit my sinning and work on a building too

If I was a liar I tell you what I would do

I’d quit my lying and work on a building too

If I was a drunkard I tell you what I would do

I’d quit my drinking and work on a building too

If I was a gambler I tell you what I would do

I’d quit my gambling and work on a building too

If I was a preacher I tell you what I would do

I would keep on preaching and work on a building too

REFRAIN:

*It’s a holy ghost building

 It’s a holy ghost building

 It’s a holy ghost building

 For my lord, for my lord

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFKZJdSLJZw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P0tBjnyzCQ

*Keep in mind that most of the churches up in the hills (Appalachians and Ozarks) are what we call "pentecostal" -- that is, they believe in direct contact with the Holy Spirit, manifested by things such as "speaking in tongues" and "praying through" based on Acts 2:1-11:

1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.

The Old Rugged Cross

1 

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,

the emblem of suffering and shame;

and I love that old cross where the dearest and best

for a world of lost sinners was slain.

2 

O that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,

has a wondrous attraction for me;

for the dear Lamb of God left his glory above

to bear it to dark Calvary. [Refrain]

3 

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,

a wondrous beauty I see,

for 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,

to pardon and sanctify me. [Refrain]

4 

To that old rugged cross I will ever be true,

its shame and reproach gladly bear;

then he'll call me some day to my home far away,

where his glory forever I'll share. [Refrain]

Refrain:

So I'll cherish the old rugged cross,

till my trophies at last I lay down;

I will cling to the old rugged cross,

and exchange it some day for a crown.

Author: George Bennard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-JS9P8d2iOc

Life's Railway to Heaven

Life is like a mountain railway, with an engineer that's brave

We must make the run successful, from the cradle to the grave,

Heed the curves and hills and tunnels, never falter never fail,

Keep your hand upon the throttle, and your eye upon the rail.

Blessed Savior, thou will guide us,

Till we reach that blissful shore,

Where the angels wait to join us,

In God's praise for evermore.

As we roll along the mainline, they'll be storms and they'll be night,

They'll be sidetracks unexpected, on the left and on the right,

But with the straight always before us, and our hearts upon the prize,

They'll be no disembarkation until we reach paradise.

Blessed Savior, thou will guide us,

Till we reach that blissful shore,

Where the angels wait to join us,

In God's praise for evermore.

Eliza R. Snow & M. E. Abbey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKoIuz71hbg

On the Wings of a Dove

1

When troubles surround us

When evils come

The body grows weak

The spirit grows numb

When these things beset us

He doesn't forget us

He sends down His love

On the wings of a dove

2

When Noah had drifted

On the flood many days

He searched for land

In various ways

Troubles, he had some

But wasn't forgotten

He sent him His love

On the wings of a dove

3

When Jesus went down

to the waters that day

He was baptized in the usual way

When it was done

God blessed his Son

He sent him his love

On the wings of a dove

CHORUS

On the wings of a snow-white dove

He sends His pure sweet love

A sign from above

On the wings of a dove

Songwriters: Bob Ferguson

Ferlin Husky was the main performer of this song, in its day. But I found another singer whose rendition I like a lot better.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbJ7s48oyDw

GENESIS 8

6 And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made: 7 And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth. 8 Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground; 9 But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark. 10 And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark; 11 And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth. 12 And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more. 13 And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry.

MATTHEW 3

13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? 15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. 16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Let Us With a Gladsome Mind

1 

Let us, with a gladsome mind,

praise the LORD, for He is kind:

for His mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

2 

Let us blaze His name abroad,

for of gods He is the God:

for His mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

3 

Let us all His praises tell

who doth wrathful tyrants quell:

for His mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

4 

He with miracles doth make

heav'n and earth, amazed, to shake:

for His mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

5 

He by wisdom did create

starry heav'ns so full of state:

for His mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

6 

He did solid earth ordain

t'rise above the wat'ry plain:

for His mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

7 

He, with all commanding might,

filled the new-made world with light:

for His mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

8 

He hath caused the golden sun

all day long his course to run:

for His mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

9 

He doth shine the moon at night

with her spangling sisters bright:

for His mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

10 

He with thunder-clasping hand,

smote firstborn of Egypt land:

for His mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

11 

And in spite of Pharaoh fell,

He brought forth His Israel:

for His mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

12 

Red Sea waves He cleft in twain,

split in two the ruddy main:

for His mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

13 

Floods stood still like walls of glass,

while the Hebrew bands did pass:

for His mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

14 

But full soon did they devour

Egypt's king with all his pow'r:

for His mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

15 

He His chosen race did bless

in the wasteful wilderness:

for His mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

16 

He in battle has brought down

kings of prowess and renown:

for His mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

17 

Conquered Sihon and his host

of the Amorrean coast:

for His mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

18 

Large-limbed Og He did subdue

with his over-hardy crew:

for His mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

19 

To His servant Israel,

gave their land therein to dwell:

for His mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

20 

He hath with a piteous eye

looked upon our misery:

for His mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

21 

Freed us from the slavery

of th'invading enemy:

for His mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

22 

All things living He doth feed;

His full hand supplies their need:

for His mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

23 

Let us therefore warble forth

His high majesty and worth:

for His mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

24 

He His mansion hath on high

out of reach of mortal eye:

for His mercies shall endure,

ever faithful, ever sure.

Author: John Milton

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCSmBFlPY5Q

PSALM 136 

1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

2 O give thanks unto the God of gods: for his mercy endureth for ever.

3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever.

4 To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever.

5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever.

6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.

7 To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever:

8 The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever:

9 The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever.

10 To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever:

11 And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever:

12 With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever.

13 To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:

14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever:

15 But overthrew Pharaoh and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever.

16 To him which led his people through the wilderness: for his mercy endureth for ever.

17 To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

18 And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever:

19 Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever:

20 And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever:

21 And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever:

22 Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever.

23 Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever:

24 And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever.

25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.

26 O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

During my freshman year at Harding College, my Old Testament Survey professor, Dr. Neale Pryor, recited this psalm and had us all sing the refrain "For his mercy endureth forever" at each verse. (Which we improvised in four-part harmony, of course, because Church of Christ.)

Neale Pryor was one of the best Bible teachers of all time. If it hadn't been for him, I never would have read the Old Testament all the way through. He made it interesting.

Even though Dr. Pryor died in 2011, apparently, you can still take this class online... ???

 https://thelink.harding.edu/hu16/show/pryor-ots-lessons-64/

From Every Stormy Wind

1 

From every stormy wind that blows,

From every swelling tide of woes,

There is a calm, a sure retreat:

'Tis found beneath the mercy seat.

2 

There is a place where Jesus sheds

The oil of gladness on our heads;

A place than all beside more sweet:

It is the blood-bought mercy seat.

3 

There is a scene where spirits blend,

Where friend holds fellowship with friend;

Though sundered far, by faith they meet

Around one common mercy seat.

4 

Ah! there on eagle wings we soar,

Where sin and sense molest no more;

And heaven comes down our souls to greet,

And glory crowns the mercy seat.

Author: Hugh Stowell

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHKe0_8vY0w

Showers of Blessing

1

“There shall be showers of blessing”

This is the promise of love

There shall be seasons refreshing

Sent from the savior above

2

“There shall be showers of blessing”

Precious reviving again

Over the hills and the valleys

Sound of abundance of rain

3

“There shall be showers of blessing”

O that today they might fall

Now as to God we’re confessing

Now as on Jesus we call

REFRAIN

Showers of blessing

Showers of blessing we need

Mercy drops round us are falling

But for the showers we plead

D. W. Whittle (1840-1901)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrDwO0TQWjM