'In the Sweet By & By' and the story behind this cherished hymn

'In the Sweet By & By' and the story behind this cherished hymn -

 The comforting melody and hopeful lyrics of ‘In the Sweet By and By' have always resonated with us on the island. 

For our Norfolk Island community, hymn singing was traditionally a comfort that transcended the immediate moment, linking us to a shared heritage. Often, this intrinsic beauty of the hymn itself supersedes any need to understand its origin or history. Yet, when the story behind a cherished hymn is shared, it deepens our appreciation and adds another layer of meaning to the experience, enriching the comfort it provides and igniting a spark of intrigue.

From my Churchill fellowship experience and sound heritage research and I would now like to focus upon and share the history of the hymn: ‘In the Sweet By & By’.

Many of us, no matter where we live in the world can relate to suddenly being overwhelmed when you hear the refrain of a familiar hymn. 

What prompts us to retain within our memory the words and tunes of particular hymns traditionally learned in childhood within a family or at a Sunday School class? 

To many, hymns offer an assured promise of solace, a wellspring of peace and calm that washes over us as familiar refrains echo in our hearts. These sacred songs possess a unique ability to offer comfort. The power of hymns often lies not just in the melody and lyrics, but in the profound emotional connections they evoke. A beloved hymn can transport us back to cherished moments – childhood memories of singing in church, gatherings with loved ones, or significant life events where these hymns played a central role. 

Untold Norfolk Island Travel Podcast Series - Sponsored by Baunti Tours www.bauntitours.com

Transcript

Welcome to Episode 11 of the Untold Norfolk Island travel podcast series.

My name is Jodie Williams and as a Norfolk Islander & Churchill Fellow, I am your ‘on island’ podcast host.

You have just heard a snippet of the hymn tune ‘In the Sweet By & By’ as played by Phil McDowell on the Willis Organ at St Barnabas Chapel .

The 1876 Willis organ is housed in our historic St Barnabas Chapel on the island and is positioned in its own spacious chamber, having been installed in 1880. It takes pride of place.

If perhaps you are visiting our island, and you happen to be seated in the aged wooden pews, whilst the Willis organ is being played, you will experience the cascading of deep, earthy resonances of notes which spiral upwards to the timber beams before gentle immersing the entire space with a sonorous reverberation.

The Beauty of Singing Hymns
In this episode we’re going to explore the beauty and enduring presence of the singing of hymns with a focus upon a particular island favourite; ‘In the Sweet By & By’.

Many of us, no matter where we live in the world can relate to suddenly being overwhelmed when you hear the refrain of a familiar hymn.

What prompts us to retain within our memory the words and tunes of particular hymns traditionally learned in childhood within a family or at a Sunday School class?

To many, hymns offer an assured promise of solace, a wellspring of peace and calm that washes over us as familiar refrains echo in our hearts. These sacred songs possess a unique ability to offer comfort. The power of hymns often lies not just in the melody and lyrics, but in the profound emotional connections they evoke. A beloved hymn can transport us back to cherished moments – childhood memories of singing in church, gatherings with loved ones, or significant life events where these hymns played a central role.


In 2006, Professor Philip Hayward from the University of Macquarie shared his thesis research in a book publication entitled: Bounty Chords: Music, Dance and Cultural Heritage on Norfolk and Pitcairn Islands.

Excerpts from his book, highlight:

The Norfolk tradition of Christian hymn singing was prolific in both sacred and secular environments from the arrival of the Pitcairners in 1856. A specific collection of hymns sung locally, are significant in their performance and stood for a local Christian identity. This collection is referred to as ‘Pitcairn Norfolk Hymns’ and linked Pitcairn ancestry with the Norfolk identity. As the islanders settled into their new homeland the singing of hymns (some of which were composed by the very early settlers) was a constant reminder of their past and eased the burden of their present. They became an expression of the community’s identity .

Many of these hymns were sung in numerous social settings, outside specific church environments. It was common in the early days to hear refrains of ‘In the Sweet By & By’ as sung by an island elder as he planted in his garden. Or there are stories of islanders riding horseback across the island and singing at the top of their voices these favourite hymns.

Professor Hayward uncovered, much to his surprise, that: ‘The set of hymns had, to a large extent, filled the role that traditional/folk songs did elsewhere.’

In an interview with Hayward, our island elder Kik Quintal recalled that ‘several people have tried to change our way of singing over the years’. An example was shared of Gordon Bennett North, a pianist that used to work with ABC Radio in the 1930s and 1940s. He retired on Norfolk where he began working with the island choirs:

Most of the Pitcairn songs were just played and sung off the cuff (ie. from memory)... Some of the old music was a bit tattered and torn, and he had a look at it and said that some of the notes were wrong... They didn’t go from ‘there to there’ or some sort of thing... So he changed them a bit. (Kik Quintal interview 1999).

The late Tim Lloyd, Anglican organist in the 1990s, also shared that several of her predecessors (who were not so informed about local traditions) had attempted to raise the tempo of hymns, often with mixed results. According to local lore, on more than one occasion the organist persisted with a faster tempo than the choir, with neither party conceding.


The comforting melody and hopeful lyrics ‘In the Sweet By and By' have always resonated with us on the island.

For our Norfolk Island community hymn singing was traditionally a comfort that transcended the immediate moment, linking us to a shared heritage. Often, this intrinsic beauty of the hymn itself supersedes any need to understand its origin or history. Yet, when the story behind a cherished hymn is shared, it deepens our appreciation and adds another layer of meaning to the experience, enriching the comfort it provides and igniting a spark of intrigue.

From my Churchill fellowship experience and sound heritage research and I would now like to focus upon and share the history of the hymn: ‘In the Sweet By & By’.
     

But before we do, let’s have a listen to a snippet of another version captured at a Norfolk singalong in 2014 as a comparative.


The origin of the beloved hymn "The Sweet By and By," a song brimming with cherished memories, is a captivating tale. The lyrics were penned by Sanford Fillmore Bennett in the early 1860s while he resided in Elkhart, Wisconsin.

The story is shared that Bennett, a man of deep faith, found himself amidst a community grappling with the anxieties and uncertainties of the Civil War era. Among his close friends was Joseph P. Webster, a gifted composer known for his sensitive nature and occasional struggles with depression.

Bennett, a keen observer of his friend's temperament, could easily discern Webster's melancholic moods. Knowing Webster's musical talent and the solace he found in composing, Bennett would often try to lift his spirits by suggesting lyrics for new songs or hymns. On one particular occasion, Webster entered Bennett's office, a palpable air of dejection surrounding him. He walked towards the fireplace, his elbow resting on the mantelpiece, lost in thought. The room fell silent, the only sound the crackling of the fire. Bennett, sensing his friend's inner turmoil, patiently waited for him to speak, observing him closely.

"'Webster," I said, 'what is the matter now?' "'It is no matter," he replied; 'it will be all right by and by!'" "The idea of the hymn came to me like a flash of sunlight, and I replied: ""The sweet by and by! would that not make a good hymn?" ""Maybe it would," said he indifferently.

Turning to the desk I penned the three verses and chorus as fast as I could write. I handed the hymn to Mr Webster. As he read it his eyes kindled, and his whole demeanour changed.

In just a few minutes, the notes for the four-part harmony of the chorus were jotted down, a testament to Webster's musical talent and the inspiring power of the moment. Bennett estimated it took no more than thirty minutes from the moment he began writing the lyrics to the point where Webster and he were singing the hymn together.

Remarkably, the hymn was already essentially in its final form, the same version that would later be published and achieve widespread popularity.

The hymn's immediate impact was profound. While singing, another friend entered the room, and after listening for a time, he declared with tears in his eyes, "That hymn is immortal!" This spontaneous declaration proved prophetic, as the hymn quickly gained popularity. It was first published in a book of songs called 'The Signet Ring', issued soon after the American Civil War. From there, its comforting message and simple melody spread rapidly, finding its way into numerous hymnals and collections.

Today, "The Sweet By and By" has transcended geographical boundaries and cultural differences, having been translated into various languages and sung in almost every corner of the globe.

The swift creation of "The Sweet By and By" speaks to the power of inspiration and collaboration. The hymn's comforting message of hope resonated deeply with those who heard it, offering solace and reassurance in a time marked by uncertainty and loss. The simplicity of its message and the beauty of its melody quickly captured the hearts of many, spreading through churches, homes, and communities.

In my research, there was another account documented:

A chaplain, accompanying the British Expeditionary Force to the Balkans, recounts a transformative moment aboard a crowded transport ship. Under the cloak of night, with the moon casting a silvery glow on the restless ocean, the atmosphere was thick with anticipation and unease. Soldiers huddled together, their faces etched with a mixture of fear and boredom, the vastness of the sea amplifying their isolation. Then, from somewhere within the throng, a familiar melody arose. Softly at first, a few voices began to sing an old-fashioned hymn. The effect was instantaneous and profound.

As the hymn swelled, more voices joined in, the sound growing in strength and unity. The initial anxieties seemed to dissipate, replaced by a sense of shared purpose and comfort. The chaplain observed how the soldiers' faces, previously shadowed by uncertainty, were now illuminated by a quiet strength and hope. The shared experience of singing a beloved hymn transcended the individual fears and anxieties, forging a powerful connection among the men as they faced the unknown dangers ahead.

A Farewell Concert in Salonica
"The night before we landed at Salonica," he writes, "we arranged a great farewell concert on board the transport. Two thousand five hundred officers and men, including the general and the ship's captain, were present.

The Welsh Soldiers' Performance
The programme aboard the transport ship was diverse, designed to cater to a wide range of tastes, and had to be performed entirely in darkness due to security concerns prohibiting any lights. The talent showcased that night was remarkable. Among the performers, a choir of Welsh soldiers stood out, delivering a stirring rendition of 'The Comrades' Song of Hope' and 'Land of My Fathers.' Their performance resonated deeply with the audience, not merely entertaining but profoundly moving and inspiring. The power of their voices transcended the confines of the ship, reaching into the hearts of the listeners and lifting their spirits.

Recognizing the impact of their music, the chaplain requested an encore. Knowing the Welsh soldiers' deep-rooted religious faith and love for hymns, he felt drawn to hear more from them. Welsh hymns, known for their rich harmonies and fervent emotion, seemed particularly suited to the somber yet hopeful atmosphere on board. The soldiers readily agreed, their voices carrying the weight of tradition and faith as they filled the night with sacred song.

They did not respond with any rollicking chorus, but sang the grand old hymn: 'There's a land that is fairer than day, And by faith we can see it afar, For the Father waits over the way, To prepare us a dwelling place there. In the sweet… by and by…. We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

Can I describe the effect? Impossible! A solemn hush stole over the ship - silence which grips the soul.

Here were over two thousand weary soldiers, thousands of miles from home, and they were thinking of dear ones left behind. Would they ever return to the old village? Would they ever see their loved ones again? Many, alas, never: but, stealing over the waters of the Eastern ocean, and echoing over the old mountains of Serbia and Greece, was a hymn that possibly had never before been sung in those parts, and it gave just the message those brave, and yet troubled lads of ours wanted.

_______

One of the most heartfelt threads in my research, was this deep understanding of our elders and their connection from childhood to the core repertoire collection of ‘Pitcairn and Norfolk hymns’, including ‘In the Sweet By & By’. This connection encouraged much flexibility in the way in which this particular hymn was sung - with different versions not only captured in a church environment but also in family homes as part of singalongs, and even in band nights. The pace and rhythm could be different, the harmonies, the instruments accompanying the singing as well as the venues. All in all, it was the heart connection that this highlighted. These hymns were happily sung in all of these diverse environments traditionally.

As described earlier, Professor Hayward uncovered, much to his surprise, that this: ‘set of hymns had, to a large extent, filled the role that traditional/folk songs did elsewhere.’

As a comparative to the singalong versions you have already heard, have a listen to this rendition as recorded in the St Barnabas Chapel by the Chapel choir - This version is available for purchase if you are interested when you visit the chapel on your Norfolk Island holiday.

>>>> audio

Restoration and repairs of the Willis organ have been conducted over the years, particularly as at one stage when the timber floor beneath the organ was collapsing. It was necessary for the organ to be completely dismantled to repair the floor and also included the replacement of perished materials. Mostly though, the organ being housed within St Barnabas Chapel has been a splendid acoustic environment and is largely in its pristine, original condition.

Not only can you listen to the organ when you visit the island, but you may also delight at the  glorious stained glass windows designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones, beautiful mosaic inlays, hand carved pearl-shell pew decorations and an English black marble floor and font. 

It’s definitely a place you must visit when you are planning your Norfolk Island holiday.

Thanks so much for joining me this week!