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James McGranahan

1840 - 1907 Person Name: J. M. G. Arranger of "[Sing hallelujah! praise the Lord!]" in Hymns, Psalms and Gospel Songs James McGranahan USA 1840-1907. Born at West Fallowfield, PA, uncle of Hugh McGranahan, and son of a farmer, he farmed during boyhood. Due to his love of music his father let him attend singing school, where he learned to play the bass viol. At age 19 he organized his first singing class and soon became a popular teacher in his area of the state. He became a noted musician and hymns composer. His father was reluctant to let him pursue this career, but he soon made enough money doing it that he was able to hire a replacement farmhand to help his father while he studied music. His father, a wise man, soon realized how his son was being used by God to win souls through his music. He entered the Normal Music School at Genesco, NY, under William B Bradbury in 1861-62. He met Miss Addie Vickery there. They married in 1863, and were very close to each other their whole marriage, but had no children. She was also a musician and hymnwriter in her own right. For a time he held a postmaster’s job in Rome, PA. In 1875 he worked for three years as a teacher and director at Dr. Root’s Normal Music Institute. He because well-known and successful as a result, and his work attracted much attention. He had a rare tenor voice, and was told he should train for the operatic stage. It was a dazzling prospect, but his friend, Philip Bliss, who had given his wondrous voice to the service of song for Christ for more than a decade, urged him to do the same. Preparing to go on a Christmas vacation with his wife, Bliss wrote McGranahan a letter about it, which McGranahan discussed with his friend Major Whittle. Those two met in person for the first time at Ashtubula, OH, both trying to retrieve the bodies of the Bliss’s, who died in a bridge-failed train wreck. Whittle thought upon meeting McGranahan, that here is the man Bliss has chosen to replace him in evangelism. The men returned to Chicago together and prayed about the matter. McGranahan gave up his post office job and the world gained a sweet gospel singer/composer as a result. McGranahan and his wife, and Major Whittle worked together for 11 years evangelizing in the U.S., Great Britain, and Ireland. They made two visits to the United Kingdom, in 1880 and 1883, the latter associated with Dwight Moody and Ira Sankey evangelistic work. McGranahan pioneered use of the male choir in gospel song. While holding meetings in Worcester, MA, he found himself with a choir of only male voices. Resourcefully, he quickly adapted the music to those voices and continued with the meetings. The music was powerful and started what is known as male choir and quartet music. Music he published included: “The choice”, “Harvest of song”, “Gospel Choir”,, “Gospel hymns #3,#4, #5, #6” (with Sankey and Stebbins), “Songs of the gospel”, and “Male chorus book”. The latter three were issued in England. In 1887 McGranahan’s health compelled him to give up active work in evangelism. He then built a beautiful home, Maplehurst, among friends at Kinsman, OH, and settled down to the composition of music, which would become an extension of his evangelistic work. Though his health limited his hours, of productivity, some of his best hymns were written during these days. McGranahan was a most lovable, gentle, modest, unassuming, gentleman, and a refined and cultured Christian. He loved good fellowship, and often treated guests to the most delightful social feast. He died of diabetes at Kinsman, OH, and went home to be with his Savior. John Perry

H. P. Danks

1834 - 1903 Composer of "[Sing—Hallelujah! praise the Lord!]" in Songs Celestial

John Swertner

1746 - 1813 Author (st. 1,2) of "Sing Hallelujah, Praise the Lord" in Moravian Book of Worship Swertner, John, b. Sept. 12, 1746, at Haarlem, in Holland, Moravian minister at various places in England and Ireland; d. at Bristol, March 11, 1813. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)

Johann Christian Bechler

1784 - 1857 Person Name: John Christian Bechler, 1784-1857 Composer of "BECHLER" in Moravian Book of Worship

H. H. McGranahan

1854 - 1931 Person Name: H. H. M. Arranger of "[Sing hallelujah! praise the Lord!]" in Select Hymns and Psalms Hugh Henry McGranahan USA 1854-1931. Born at Jamestown, PA, nephew of James McGranahan, gospel hymnist, he studied music under hymnists, George Root, and Horatio Palmer, and at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, MA. He married Grace McKinley, and they had two sons: Joseph and James. He became an editor and author. His most widely held publications include: “The juvenile class and concert” (1882,1895), “The choral class book” (1898), “Hymn and Psalm selections compiled” (1914), “Glad praises” (1914), and “Select temperance songs, new and old” (1915). He began his career directing musical institute conventions and later had charge of church choral unions in New York, NY, and Philadelphia, PA. He also headed the music department at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, IL, for five years. After leaving the music field for health reasons, he entered the insurance business in Pittsburgh, PA, where he directed music in the educational department of the Bellefield Presbyterian Church. In 1880 he taught music in South Shenango, PA. In 1914 he was back in Jamestown, PA, where he later died. John Perry