He Sought Me/O, What A Wonderful Day (3:02). Captains Ernest & Mary Miller
From the record produced by the Salvation Army Central Territory, 1963 Spiritual Crusade – Faith In Action. A vocal duet by Captains Ernest & Mary Miller. This song was written in the early 1930s by then Adjutant Sidney Cox in Atlanta, Georgia. It was published in the December, 1935 issue of The Musical Salvationist in London. The Millers served primarily in The Salvation Army Central Territory and performed throughout the United States and Canada. Their rendition of this Sidney Cox favorite became their signature song for all of their performances. At various times, Ernest Miller served as the Bandmaster of the Chicago Staff Band, Director of the Chicago Staff Songsters and Territorial Music Director. They were great friends of Sidney and Violet Cox and visited with the Coxes often in Detroit where they resided in retirement. Mrs. Miller was promoted to glory in 2010. In 2012, Colonel Miller resides in retirement in Ashville, North Carolina.
I Love Him Better Everyday (3:08). Herb Twitchin, Cornet
From a Red-Label Regal 78 RPM record that has been in our family for many years. I am not sure when this record was produced; however, it could well date back to the 1930s or 1940s. This is a cornet solo by Herbert W. Twitchin, accompanied by Regent Hall (London) Salvation Army Band, of one of Sidney Cox’s earliest and best known songs. It was written by then Captain Sidney Cox circa 1915 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It was published in the February, 1916 issue of The Musical Salvationist in London. Twitchin was also the Bandmaster of the Regent Hall band. This cornet solo has been performed by Salvation Army cornetists around the world. I do not know who arranged this piece.
Lord, Make Calvary Real To Me (5:05). Will Owings
From the 1968 album, Lord, Make Calvary Real To Me recorded by Will Owings of Atlanta, Georgia. Owings was not a Salvationist, but came to know Sidney Cox during the years that followed Cox’s resignation from The Salvation Army. This album was not made professionally, but appears to be a personal effort. On the album, no background is provided about Owings. I would assume that he was a Salvationist, or had relationships with Salvationists, but the album does not say so. The album contains this handwritten inscription, “Dear Brother Sidney Cox, We give this record in His name and for His sake. May His name be exalted each time it is played. Will, Elizabeth and David Owings. This song was written by then Adjutant Sidney Cox circa early 1930s in Atlanta, Georgia. He stepped into a tent meeting on the corner of Peachtree and Linden in Atlanta where the British evangelist, Captain Reginald Wallis was preaching. At the conclusion of the service, Wallis prayed, “Lord, make Calvary real to me.” Sidney Cox went home and wrote the chorus. The song was published in the October, 1933 issue of The Musical Salvationist in London.
O, What A Wonderful Day/This One Thing I Know (4:13). Chicago Staff Band
From an album recorded circa early 1970s by the Chicago Staff Band, Major Ernest Miller, Bandmaster. Lt. Colonel Loyd Robb – Executive Officer. The description to Track 1 of this CD provides more information about Ernest Miller and his wife, Mary and the background of O, What A Wonderful Day. Then Major Sidney Cox wrote This One Thing I Know circa late 1930s. It was published in the March, 1939 issue of The Musical Salvationist in London.
Medley of Sidney Cox Songs (5:58). Captains Ernest & Mary Miller
From the 1965 album by Captains Ernest and Mary Miller – Songs of a Seeking Saviour produced by Zondervan Recordings. This medley of Sidney Cox songs entitled, The Seeking Saviour was arranged by Mrs. Miller; Victor Danielson, accompanist. See the description to Track 1 of this CD for more information about the Millers.
A Melody In My Heart (2:54). International Staff Songsters (London)
This is a recording by the International Staff Songsters in London of perhaps Sidney Cox’s most beloved song. A similar rendition of this arrangement was recorded on the 1996 CD, Sunday with the Salvation Army recorded by the Ilford (England) Songsters. On that CD the arrangement was credited to Dick Krommenhoek, a Salvation Army officer and musician who has served in The Netherlands and throughout Europe. This was one of the first songs written by then Adjutant Sidney Cox after his arrival in Atlanta, Georgia to join the movement of The Salvation Army to the South and the founding of The Southern Territory in 1927. It was published in the December, 1929 issue of The Musical Salvationist in London. This is an example of other Salvationist musicians and arrangers taking Sidney Cox’s lyrics and arranging the song to a different melody. In 1994, The Southern Territory of The Salvation Army published a songbook containing 86 of Sidney Cox’s most beloved songs. The songbook is entitled, A Melody In My Heart.
Divine Communion/All There Is Of Me (6:32). Melbourne (Australia) Staff Band
From the album recorded by the Melbourne Staff Band circa mid-1960s entitled, Gullidge Festival. This is a piece composed and arranged by the famous Salvationist musician, Bandmaster Arthur Gullidge entitled, Divine Communion. It is considered to be Gullidge’s best known and best loved composition. It was written by Gullidge during World War II. Of course, Gullidge and his entire Australian Salvation Army band were tragically killed in World War II went a ship that they were traveling on was torpedoed. The arrangement incorporates strains of three other pieces: Sweet Will of God; Holy Spirit, Faithful Guide and the Sidney Cox favorite, All There Is Of Me. Then Adjutant Sidney Cox wrote All There Is Of Me in 1933 while on the stage at the Salvation Army Citadel in Orlando, Florida. Commissioner Alexander Damon was speaking at Youth Councils on the subject of, “God shall have all there is of [Salvation Army founder] William Booth.” Cox silently asked himself, “What about me?” He jotted down the new chorus in the meeting and wrote the verses in the following days. It was published in the September, 1935 issue of The Musical Salvationist in London.
Camp Fellowship/Joy In Following (2:57). Chicago Staff Band
From an album recorded circa early 1970s by the Chicago Staff Band, Major Ernest Miller, Bandmaster. Lt. Colonel Loyd Robb – Executive Officer. The description to Track 1 of this CD provides more information about Ernest Miller and his wife, Mary. Camp Fellowship is a wonderful march composed by the famous Salvationist musician, Norman Bearcroft. Bearcroft loved the music of Sidney Cox. In the middle of this march, Bearcroft embedded the strains of the chorus from Joy In Following. Then Adjutant Sidney Cox wrote Joy In Following circa 1930 in Atlanta, Georgia. It was published in the May, 1930 issue of The Musical Salvationist in London.
In God’s Tomorrow (2:43). Harlesden (London) Songsters
From a Blue-Label Regal Zonophone 78 RPM record that has been in our family for many years. I am not sure when this record was produced; however, it could well date back to the 1930s or 1940s. Then Major Sidney Cox wrote In God’s Tomorrow circa 1936 in the Territorial Headquarters Building on Ellis Street in Atlanta, Georgia. It was published in the September, 1936 issue of The Musical Salvationist in London.
God’s Love Is Wonderful/Faith Is The Victory (2:00). Congregational Singing With Band
This recording is from the 1970 album, Summer Festival recorded at the Salvation Army Festival in the Fairfield Hall, Croydon, England on June 27, 1970. A Salvationist concert in the Croydon Fairfield Hall is a long-standing tradition in England. This festival featured mass Salvation Army bands and choruses from around England. Then Major Sidney Cox wrote God’s Love Is Wonderful in 1931 in Atlanta, Georgia. The song was first sung by Cox, Commissioner Alexander Damon and Lt. Col Richard Fitton in the Orlando Sanitorium at the bedside of a veteran Army officer. It was published in the June, 1932 issue of The Musical Salvationist in London. Circa 1963, Commissioner William Cooper of The Salvation Army discovered that the lyrics to Sidney Cox’s song fit perfectly with the well-known hymn melody, Faith Is the Victory. This arrangement became popular in England and has been sung on many occasions in settings such as the Croydon Festival. This arrangement was published in the January, 1963 issue of The Musical Salvationist in London.
He Sought Me/O, What A Wonderful Day (3:33). Canadian Staff Band
From their 1976 album, New Horizons. Captain Robert Redhead, Bandmaster. Howard Davies, Arranger. A beautiful arrangement of this Sidney Cox favorite. See the description to Track 1 of this CD for more information about this song.
He’s the Same Today as Yesterday, My Great Unchanging Friend. Helen Barth and Ray Felton, Vocalists. Includes comments by Sidney Cox.
From their 1969 album The Lighthouse on the Shore – the Helen Barth and Ray Felton Duets. Sidney Cox wrote this song in Atlanta in 1930 while serving as an officer with the Salvation Army. Later in his life he developed a close working relationship with Singspiration which published a great many of his compositions in various songbooks. Barth and Felton were popular vocalists who recorded under the Singspiration label, leading to them including their rendition of this SEC song on this album.
All There Is Of Me (4:40). International Staff Songters
A new arrangement of this Sidney Cox favorite written by him in Orlando, Florida in 1933. Arranged by Richard Phillips and recorded on the 2000 CD, In The Army by the Salvation Army’s International Staff Songsters.
God’s Love Is Wonderful (3:17). The Danforth (Toronto) Songsters
A beautiful choral rendition of this Sidney Cox favorite written by him in Atlanta, Georgia in 1931. From the album, This Is My Story – Devotional Favorites produced by The Salvation Army – Canada circa 1960s.
Out From His Wounded Side (4:04). Helen Barth
A vocal rendition by Helen Barth from the album, Songs of the Redeemer produced by Singspiration circa 1960s. Then Adjutant Sidney Cox wrote this song in Atlanta, Georgia in 1931. It was published in the January, 1931 issue of The Musical Salvationist in London. Later in his life he developed a close working relationship with Singspiration which published a great many of his compositions in various songbooks, including this composition. Helen Barth was a popular vocalists who recorded under the Singspiration label, leading to them including their rendition of this SEC song on this album.
When His Love Reached Me. Southern California Divisional Youth Band
A lively march composed and arranged by Bandmaster Chris Mallett and performed under his direction by the Salvation Army Southern California Divisional Youth Band. This cut was included on their 1998 CD, Illuminate. The march incorporates strains from the chorus of the Sidney Cox favorite When His Love Reached Me as well as Mallett’s own setting for the song God Is Love. Then Major Sidney Cox wrote When His Love Reached Me in Atlanta in 1939 while Principal of the Salvation Army Training College. He wrote it for the cadets to use in the spring campaigns. It appeared in the April, 1941 issue of The Musical Salvationist in London.
Jubilate (7:14) Ronald Rowland , Cornet Solo
From the album, Chicago Staff Band circa 1970s, Senior Major Eyril Everitt, Bandmaster. Ronald Rowland, cornetist accompanied by The Chicago Staff Band. Major Ronald Rowland was recognized as on of the outstanding cornet soloists of The Salvation Army. This piece is one of the great cornet solos – an Army classic that has been performed by hundreds of cornet players around the world. Composed by the great Australian Salvation Army musician, Bandmaster Arthur Gullidge who was tragically killed along with his Australian Salvation Army band in World War II. In the middle of this composition, Gullidge embeds strains of the well-known and popular Sidney Cox song, Joy in Following. Then Adjutant Sidney Cox wrote Joy In Following circa 1930 in Atlanta, Georgia. It was published in the May, 1930 issue of The Musical Salvationist in London.
