Skyways

Tree Of Life

Reflections Of The Canyon

Cosmonaut

I'm On Fire ( Original By Bruce Springsteen)

Midnight Rider (Original By Allman Brothers)

The traditional Appalachian song “Down in the River to Pray” is well-known, especially since Alison Krauss and the movie “O Brother, Where Art Thou?”(released in 2000) popularized it. Yet, its composer remains a mystery, at least in some measure. Research indicates the song was written by slaves in the 19th Century who worked in the fields. Other people believe it was perhaps a derivative of a native American tribal song that was adapted with Christian lyrics. It was reportedly published in Southern Harmony, a 19th Century hymnal, prior to many African-American spiritual songs being gathered and published during the Civil War and the post-Civil War Reconstruction period. And, what if someone told you it was written by George H. Allan in Nashville, Tennessee during slavery in the South, and was published in a slave songbook in 1867? Its appearance in “Slave Songs of the United States” in 1867, with words uniquely colloquial to black slave spiritual songs of that period, seems to point us in that direction to this song’s genealogy. The song had a different name, too, than the one by which we commonly know it today.

 The song as originally composed was known as “The Good Old Way”, and is attributed to a G.H. (George H.) Allan in the contents section of the slave song book of 1867. The song may also be known as “Come, Let Us All Go Down”, but has also been known as “Down to the River to Pray”, and alternately as “Down in the River to Pray”. However, as originally constructed by Mr. Allan (or perhaps some other contemporary, most likely a slave), the song entreats worshippers to go to a valley, not a river…

Down In The River To Pray

He Knows My Name

"I Have Decided to Follow Jesus" is a Christian hymn originating from India.

The lyrics are based on the last words of a man in Assam, north-east India, who along with his family was converted to Christianity in the middle of the 19th century through the efforts of a Welsh missionary. Called to renounce his faith by the village chief, the convert declared, "I have decided to follow Jesus." In response to threats to his family, he continued, "Though no one joins me, still I will follow." His wife was killed, and he was executed while singing, "The cross before me, the world behind me." This display of faith is reported to have led to the conversion of the chief and others in the village.

The formation of these words into a hymn is attributed to the Indian missionary Sadhu Sundar Singh. The melody is also Indian, and entitled "Assam" after the region where the text originated. The fierce opposition is possible as various tribes in that area were formerly renowned for head-hunting.

An American hymn editor, William Jensen Reynolds, composed an arrangement which was included in the 1959 Assembly Songbook. His version became a regular feature of Billy Graham's evangelistic meetings in America and elsewhere, spreading its popularity.



I Have Decided To Follow Jesus

Be Thou My Vision (Irish: Bí Thusa 'mo Shúile) is a traditional hymn from Ireland, which is commonly attributed to Dallán Forgaill. It is popular among English-speaking churches around the world.

The original Old Irish text, Rop tú mo Baile is often attributed to Dallán Forgaill in the 6th century. The text had been a part of Irish monastic tradition for centuries before its setting to the tune, therefore, before it became an actual hymn. It was translated from Old Irish into English by Mary Elizabeth Byrne, M.A., in Ériu (the journal of the School of Irish Learning), in 1905. The English text was first versified by Eleanor Hull, in 1912, and is now the most common text used. In the 20th century, two new sets of relatively common lyrics were put to the same tune used for the hymn. The first was "Lord of All Hopefullness," written by Jan Struther around 1931. The second was a popular wedding hymn, "God, In the Planning and Purpose of Life," written by John Bell and Graham Maule and first appearing in publication in 1989.

Be Thou My Vision

"I'll Fly Away", is a hymn written in 1929 by Albert E. Brumley and published in 1932 by the Hartford Music company in a collection titled Wonderful Message. Brumley's writing was influenced in part by an older secular ballad.

"I'll Fly Away" has been called the most recorded gospel song, and it is frequently used in worship services by Baptists, Pentecostals, Nazarenes, the Churches of Christ and many Methodists. It appears in many hymnals where it is listed under the topics of eternal life, heaven and acceptance. It is a standard song at bluegrass jam sessions and is often performed at funerals.


I'll Fly Away

Beautiful Things

In The Highways

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing is a Christian hymn written by the 18th century pastor and hymnist Robert Robinson. Robert Robinson penned the words at age 22 in the year 1757.

In the USA, the hymn is usually set to an American folk tune known as Nettleton, composed by printer John Wyeth, or possibly by Asahel Nettleton. In the UK, the hymn is also often set to the tune Normandy by C Bost. The Nettleton tune is used extensively in partial or full quotation by the American composer Charles Ives, in such works as the First String Quartet and the piano quintet and song "The Innate." The Nettleton tune is also quoted at the end of My Trundle Bed by Tullius C. O'Kane.

It has also been covered by David Crowder Band on their 1999 album All I Can Say, and on their live recording Our Love is Loud. Christian rock band Jars of Clay has also covered the song as well as veteran Christian artist Scott Wesley Brown. Nashville singer Matthew Smith has also recorded a popular version on his album All I Owe. Sufjan Stevens recorded a version for his Hark! Songs for Christmas album, which reached 122 in the US charts and is featured in the closing minutes of the season four premiere episode of Friday Night Lights. Gateway Worship performed the song on their album "Living for You" and added a chorus to the song calling it "Come Thou Fount Come Thou King". It also appears on Phil Wickham's album 'sing-a-long'. This song is also sung by Clark Davis in the film Love Comes Softly and is a recurring background music in the film. Additionally Mumford & Sons have covered it in a small amount of their live shows.

Come Thou Fount

Low Man's Lyric (Original by Metallica)

Solitude (Original by Black Sabbath)

Too Much Love Will Kill You (Original by Queen)

While My Guitar Gently Wheeps (Original by The Beatles)

She's Gone (Original by Black Sabbath)

Frontman/songwriter of the band Sonar Lights and composing force behind the Electronic/Ambient project Sons of Faust, George Miadis is also spending his free time in his studio recording beloved songs full band or just acoustic. This is his personal hide away soundcloud.
If you're interested in what Sonar Lights and Sons of Faust sound like just click  soundcloud.com/sonarlights or soundcloud.com/sonsoffaust and enjoy.

George Miadis

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