May 10, 2019 (Friday)
When I was a boy I attended a revival meeting at the Liberty Road Baptist Church in Houston where years later I would preach my first sermon. During the revival, kids were invited to become part of what was called a “Booster Band.” I think we learned many action songs but the one I remember to this day was “The Gospel Train.”
We lined up behind each other and placed our hand on the elbow of the child in front of us, moving it backward and forward to simulate the coupling rods that turn the wheels of a locomotive. And we sang as we moved down the imaginary tracks:
THE GOSPEL TRAIN
C. Austin Miles
1917
I am traveling on the Hallelujah Line
On the good old Gospel train.
I am on the right track
And I never will go back
To the station of sin again.
I need no fare, I’m riding on a pass,
‘Tis the Lamb for sinners slain.
I am traveling on the Hallelujah Line
On the good old Gospel Train.
(Musical Score at bottom of this page)
Years later I would work with evangelists in revival meetings in which I was in charge of rehearsals with a Booster Band while the adults met for prayer before the worship service each evening. At some point during the service, the kids would sing an action song of some kind. You may remember “Deep and Wide” and “When You’re Up You’re Up.” The children loved singing those kinds of songs in front of the church.
During those revival meetings in the 1950s I would lead the singing and usually sing a solo. One of the songs I liked to sing was also about a railroad: “Life is like a mountain railroad with an engineer that’s brave, you must make the run successful from the cradle to the grave.”
C. Austin Miles
1917
I am traveling on the Hallelujah Line
On the good old Gospel train.
I am on the right track
And I never will go back
To the station of sin again.
I need no fare, I’m riding on a pass,
‘Tis the Lamb for sinners slain.
I am traveling on the Hallelujah Line
On the good old Gospel Train.
(Musical Score at bottom of this page)
Years later I would work with evangelists in revival meetings in which I was in charge of rehearsals with a Booster Band while the adults met for prayer before the worship service each evening. At some point during the service, the kids would sing an action song of some kind. You may remember “Deep and Wide” and “When You’re Up You’re Up.” The children loved singing those kinds of songs in front of the church.
During those revival meetings in the 1950s I would lead the singing and usually sing a solo. One of the songs I liked to sing was also about a railroad: “Life is like a mountain railroad with an engineer that’s brave, you must make the run successful from the cradle to the grave.”
LIFE’S RAILWAY TO HEAVEN
Words, M. E. Abbey
Music, Charlie D. D. Tillman
1890
Life is like a mountain railway
With an engineer that’s brave
We must make the run successful
From the cradle to the grave
Watch for curves and hills and valleys
Never falter never fail
keep your hands upon the throttle
And your eye upon the rail.
Blessed Savior,
Thou wilt guide us
Till we reach that blissful shore
Where the angels wait to join us
In God’s praise forevermore.
As you roll across the trestle
Spanning Jordan’s swelling tide
You behold the Union Depot
Into which your train will glide
There you’ll meet the superintendent
God, the Father, God, the Son
With a hearty joyous greeting
Weary pilgrim, welcome home.
Blessed Savior,
Thou wilt guide us
Till we reach that blissful shore
Where the angels wait to join us
In God’s praise forevermore.
Blessed Savior,
Thou wilt guide us
Till we reach that blissful shore
Where the angels wait to join us
In God’s praise forevermore
Where the angels wait to join us
In God’s praise forevermore.
Words, M. E. Abbey
Music, Charlie D. D. Tillman
1890
Life is like a mountain railway
With an engineer that’s brave
We must make the run successful
From the cradle to the grave
Watch for curves and hills and valleys
Never falter never fail
keep your hands upon the throttle
And your eye upon the rail.
Blessed Savior,
Thou wilt guide us
Till we reach that blissful shore
Where the angels wait to join us
In God’s praise forevermore.
As you roll across the trestle
Spanning Jordan’s swelling tide
You behold the Union Depot
Into which your train will glide
There you’ll meet the superintendent
God, the Father, God, the Son
With a hearty joyous greeting
Weary pilgrim, welcome home.
Blessed Savior,
Thou wilt guide us
Till we reach that blissful shore
Where the angels wait to join us
In God’s praise forevermore.
Blessed Savior,
Thou wilt guide us
Till we reach that blissful shore
Where the angels wait to join us
In God’s praise forevermore
Where the angels wait to join us
In God’s praise forevermore.
(HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEEDEE)