God’s Love Is Wonderful (1:23) Unknown Salvation Army Songster Brigade
From the 2000 CD, Joy of the Sabbath. This CD was produced by Brentwood Communications, Inc. – a compilation of performances by various Salvation Army bands and songster brigades. This identical recording is contained on the 2003 CD, Abide With Me – Produced by Deltamusic, a compilation of songster and band music sponsored by The Salvation Army International Staff Band. Unfortunately, neither CD identifies the name of the songster brigade that recorded this wonderful, upbeat rendition of this Sidney Cox favorite. 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. The tombstone on Sidney Cox’s grave in the Salvation Army plot in Westview Cemetery, Atlanta, Georgia reads, “God’s Love Is Wonderful.”
A Happy – Wonderful Day/He Sought Me (3:07) Ernest & Mary Miller
From their CD, Memories and Melodies of the Miller’s, a delightful vocal medley by Captains Ernest and Mary Miller of Chicago; it incorporates the familiar song, O Happy Day and Sidney Cox’s song, He Sought Me/O What A Wonderful Day. 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.
God’s Love Is Wonderful (4:19) Brisbane Divisional Fellowship Band
Ray Simpson, Bandmaster. Band and vocals. This arrangement by Dick Kommenhoek is another example of modern Salvationists taking the lyrics of Sidney Cox and setting them to a melody different from the one that Cox composed originally. From their CD, Ministry of Brass. This band was formed in 2002 and has 60 members. I am not sure when this CD was recorded. 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. The tombstone on Sidney Cox’s grave in the Salvation Army plot in Westview Cemetery, Atlanta, Georgia reads, “God’s Love Is Wonderful.”
The Call of Christ/Follow Thou Me (4:06) Tommy Wilson, Cornet
Accompanied by the London Citadel Band. Bram Gregory, Bandmaster. Arranged by the famous Salvationist composer and arranger, Norman Bearcroft. I am not sure when this was recorded or who produced the recording. This song was written in the late 1920s by then Ensign Sidney Cox. It was one of his earliest compositions after he moved to Atlanta, Georgia to be part of the founding of The Salvation Army Southern Territory in 1927. It was originally entitled, Fishers of Men but through the years became to be popularly known as, Follow Thou Me.
Path of Duty March (3:22) Brisbane Divisional Fellowship Band
Ray Simpson, Bandmaster. Len Baxter, Arranger. From their CD, Living Faith. This band was formed in 2002 and has 60 members. I am not sure when this CD was recorded. A great march arrangement of this song of Sidney Cox that has been sung and performed around the world. By the Pathway of Duty was one of the first songs written by then Ensign Sidney Cox in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He wrote the song for Commissioner T. Henry Howard, the 2nd Chief of Staff of the Army who was on a round-the-world retirement/farewell tour and visiting Winnipeg. This theme was one of Howard’s primary preaching points and Howard proceeded to take this song with him and used it extensively as he continued his tour. It was published in the August, 1920 issue of The Musical Salvationist in London. This issue contained a collection of new compositions gathered by Commissioner Howard during his tour. The cover read, “International Gleanings Gathered During Commissioner Howard’s World Tour, 1919.”
Jubilate (8:12) Carl Saunders, Cornet Solo
From Saunders’ 2004 CD, Going Solo, accompanied by The Household Troops Band, from Wales. Saunders, from Cardiff Canton, England is a world renowned Salvationist musician and performer. This piece again 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.
Jesus, Lily of the Valley/Make My Heart A Garden (6:33) Southern Territory USA Songsters
From their 1996 CD, Concertante – Christopher Priest, Songster Leader. This is a beautiful arrangement by Christopher Priest and Kenneth Downie of one of Sidney Cox’s most beloved songs. This arrangement was also performed on the 2000 CD, In The Army, recorded by the International Staff Songsters. This well-known song was written by then Major Sidney Cox in the late 1930s in Atlanta, Georgia. It was published in the September, 1940 issue of The Musical Salvationist in London.
Wondrous Day/I Am Amazed (6:24) David Daws, Cornet Solo
From Daws’ 2003 CD – The Sound of David Daws, accompanied by The Fairey FP (Music) Band, Stephen Cobb, conductor. Daws, from Middlesex, England is a world renowned Salvationist musician and cornet soloist. This piece was composed by the famous Salvationist composer and arranger, Eric Leidzen. The composition contains variations on the song of Sidney Cox, I Am Amazed. This arrangement is considered one of the great cornet solos in Salvation Army music literature and has been performed around the world by various Salvationist cornetists. In 1950, retired Sidney Cox agreed to conduct a wide-ranging evangelistic and music campaign throughout Texas for The Salvation Army. Sidney and Violet Cox spent several weeks visiting various corps across Texas. Sidney Cox composed a chorus especially for each corps that he visited. One of the compositions was the song, I Am Amazed written in Beaumont, Texas. It was published in the February, 1956 issue of The Musical Salvationist in London.
Songs of Testimony/Sidney Cox Medley (4:23) Melbourne (Australia) Veterans’ Band
From their 2003 CD, Veterans’ Praise, Noel Jones, Bandmaster. A fabulous medley of three of Sidney Cox songs, arranged by the famous Salvationist composer and arranger, Norman Bearcroft – You Can Tell Out the Sweet Story, A Sure Hiding Place, Pathway of Duty. Bearcroft was an admirer of Sidney Cox and his music and often composed arrangements that incorporated Sidney Cox music. This medley has been performed by Salvation Army bands around the world. In particular, a rendition of this piece by the International Staff Band of The Salvation Army was included on the album, An Evening At the Citadel produced circa early 1970s by the Music Department of The Salvation Army in London.
He Sought Me/O, What a Wonderful Day (4:18) Stowmarket (England) Songsters
From their CD, A Time for Everything – Susan Turner, Songster Leader. Stowmarket is in the East Anglia region of England, between London and Norwich. This arrangement by Damian Wileman is another example of modern Salvationists taking the lyrics of Sidney Cox and setting them to a melody different from the one that Cox composed originally. During a 2008 visit to London, Sandy and I attended the Sunday morning meeting at the Regent Hall Corps near Piccadilly Circus. We were surprised and delighted to hear a rendition of this arrangement by the Youth Songsters of the Corps that was presented as the offertory on that day. 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.
All There Is Of Me (4:00) Oakland (California) Citadel Band
From their CD, Our God Reigns – Richard Spicer, Bandmaster. A beautiful arrangement by Ivor Bosanko of this Sidney Cox song that has been used as a processional in many Salvation Army meetings. 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 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.
Deep and Wide (3:04) Flint (Michigan) Citadel Band
From the CD, Amazing Grace produced by the Flint (Michigan) Citadel Band. A beautiful arrangement of Sidney Cox’s most widely-known composition. Interestingly, The Flint Corps of The Salvation Army is the ancestral home of my mother’s side of the family – the Nelson family. The Nelson family moved in mass from Calumet, Michigan to Flint in 1919 to find employment with the Buick Motor Company. They were some of the early founders of the Flint Corps. For many years, Richard Ton Holman was the Bandmaster of the Flint Citadel Band. He is the son from a 2nd marriage of my great uncle, Richard Henry Holman, a lifetime Salvationist and long-time devoted member of the Flint Citadel Band. Deep and Wide is perhaps the best known song of Sidney Cox due in part to it being included as a children’s action chorus in many published songbooks by Singspiration. It was written by then Adjutant Sidney Cox in the early 1930s in Atlanta, Georgia. It was published in the July, 1970 issue of The Musical Salvationist in London.
He Sought Me /O, What a Wonderful Day (2:58) Captain Nethanael Doria, Guitar Solo
From the 1998 CD, The Wonder of His Grace – A Spiritual Journey produced by The Salvation Army Western Territory. Captain Doria, an officer in the Western Territory was born in Mexico, immigrated to the U. S. and subsequently entered The Salvation Army College for Officers Training. His guitar skills are of professional quality and have been used in Christian ministry extensively in his native country as well as the U. S. 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.
In My Heart Today (2:30) USA Southern Territory Songsters
Songster Leader: Christopher Priest. From the 2000 CD, All That I Am produced by The Salvation Army Southern Territory. This vocal arrangement by Christopher Priest is an adaptation of one of Sidney Cox’s most beloved songs, A Melody In My Heart. Priest takes the lyrics of Sidney Cox and sets them to a melody different from the original melody written by Cox. This song 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. 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.
Lord, Make Calvary Real To Me (2:15) Williams Fairey (England) Band
From the 1998 CD, Heralds of Victory produced by EGON Publishers, LTD. The Williams Fairey Band, conducted by James Gourlay and James Williams, was founded in 1937 and hails from Manchester, England. It is the seven times winner of the title, “National Champion Band of Great Britain.” They have toured extensively within Great Britain and around the world. This arrangement of Sidney Cox’s well-known prayer offering is an Eflat horn solo arranged by William Broughton, a renown Salvationist musician. The performing soloist is unknown. 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.
