"Never Grow Old" usually refers to an old Southern Gospel song of the same name, technically called "Where We'll Never Grow Old", written by James Cleveland Moore, Sr. on April 22, 1914. It has been included on many religious-themed audio compilations, and has been covered by many singers, including Johnny Cash,[1] Jim Reeves,[2] Bill and Gloria Gather,[3] the Carter Family, and Aretha Franklin.[4]

Biography of James Cleveland Moore, Sr.

James Cleveland Moore, Sr. was born in Draketown, Georgia on May 2, 1888. He was the son of Charles Robert and Mary Ellen Hesterley Moore. [5]

Education

Moore had intended to become a Baptist preacher. He was educated at Draketown Baptist Institute, Mercer University in Macon, Georgia, and the University of Florida. He received musical training under Benjamin B. Beale and J. Henry Showalter.[6]

Inspiration for the Song

At 26 years old, while a seminary student at Mercer, Moore visited his hometown church to preach, Draketown Baptist Church. His father, Charles Robert Moore, had led the singing for years. Hearing his father's voice failing him, Moore knew that he would not hear his father sing much longer due to his father's advanced age.

After returning to school, Moore produced the hymn and dedicated his song as: "Dedicated to My Father and Mother." The song was not published until around 1930. [6]

Career

In Georgia, Moore served as a Missionary Baptist minister in Funstron, Alma, Moultree, Glenwood, Willacoochee, and Abbeville. He also served in Hawthorne, Florida. Moore was also well-known as a singer, singing teacher, and songwriter. He served as president of the Georgia-Florida-Alabama Tri-State Singing Convention for two years and of the Southern Singers' Association of Georgia.[6][7]

Moore is credited with writing over 500 songs in his career.[8]

Death

Moore died in Ashburn, Turner County, Georgia, on June 1, 1962.[5][6] He was buried at Bethel Baptist Church in Turner County.[5]

Lyrics[9]

VERSE 1:
I have heard of a land
On the faraway strand
'Tis a beautiful home of the soul
Built by Jesus on high
There we never shall die
'Tis a land where we never grow old.
CHORUS:
Never grow old [where we'll]
Never grow old
In a land where we'll never grow old
Never grow old [where we'll]
Never grow old
In a land where we'll never grow old.
VERSE 2:
In that beautiful home
Where we'll nevermore roam
We shall be in the sweet by and by
Happy praise to the King
Through eternity sing
'Tis a land where we never shall die.
VERSE 3:
When our work here is done
And the life-crown is won
And our troubles and trials are o'er
All our sorrow will end
And our voices will blend
With the loved ones who've gone on before.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Noémie Flecher (2011-12-08), Where we'll never grow old, Johnny Cash, archived from the original on 2021-12-15, retrieved 2018-06-11
  2. ↑ HomoHumanus (2010-11-26), Gospel - Jim Reeves - Where We'll Never Grow Old, archived from the original on 2021-12-15, retrieved 2018-06-11
  3. ↑ GaitherVEVO (2012-12-06), Bill & Gloria Gaither - Where We'll Never Grow Old (Live), archived from the original on 2021-12-15, retrieved 2018-06-11
  4. ↑ apostolicreturns (2008-01-05), Aretha Franklin - Never Grow Old, archived from the original on 2021-12-15, retrieved 2018-06-11
  5. 1 2 3 "James Cleveland Moore, Sr (1888-1961) - Find A..." www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 2018-06-11.
  6. 1 2 3 4 ""Where We'll Never Grow Old"". hymnstudiesblog. 2008-12-03. Retrieved 2018-06-11.
  7. ↑ "James Cleveland Moore". www.hymntime.com. Retrieved 2018-06-11.
  8. ↑ Thompson, Mark. "In a Land Where We'll Never Grow Old (1914) - the first ever "country gospel" recording". Retrieved 2018-06-11.
  9. ↑ "Where We'll Never Grow Old > Lyrics | James C. Moore". library.timelesstruths.org. Retrieved 2018-06-11.
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