Thomists

The

Hillbilly

Leaning on the Everlasting ArmsAuthor: E. A. Hoffman (1839-1929)

What a fellowship, what a joy divineLeaning on the everlasting armsWhat a blessedness, what a peace is mineLeaning on the everlasting arms

Leaning, leaningSafe and secure from all alarmsLeaning, leaningLeaning on the everlasting arms

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim wayLeaning on the everlasting armsO how bright the path grows from day to dayLeaning on the everlasting arms

What have I to dread, what have I to fearLeaning on the everlasting armsI have peace complete with my Lord so nearLeaning on the everlasting arms

My latest sun is sinking fastMy race is nearly runMy strongest trials now are pastMy triumph is begun

O come, angel band, come, and around me standBear me away on your snow white wingsTo my immortal homeBear me away on your snow white wingsTo my immortal home

O bear my longing heart to HimWho bled and died for meWhose blood now cleanses from all sinAnd gives me victory

I’ve almost gained my heav’nly homeMy spirit loudly singsThe holy ones, behold, they comeI hear the noise of wings

Angel BandAuthor: Jefferson Hascall (1807-1887)

What Would You Give in Exchange for Your Soul?Author: F. J. Berry

Brother afar from the Savior todayRisking your soul for the things that decayOh, if today God should call you awayWhat would you give in exchange for your soul

What would you give? What would you giveWhat would you give in exchange for your soulOh, if today God should call you awayWhat would you give in exchange for your soul

Mercy is calling you, won’t you give inMust the dear Savior still tenderly pleadRisk not your soul, it is precious indeedWhat would you give in exchange for your soul

The Hillbilly Thomists are:Br. Justin Bolger, O.P. - Guitar, piano, accordion, bass, vocalsBr. Simon Teller, O.P. - Fiddle, vocalsBr. Peter Gautsch, O.P. - Mandolin, piano, guitar, vocals Fr. Thomas Joseph White, O.P. - Banjo, dulcimer, vocals Br. Jonah Teller, O.P. - Guitar, vocals Br. Joseph Hagan, O.P. - Drums, washboard, bodhránFr. Austin Litke, O.P. - Mandolin, guitar, vocalsBr. Timothy Danaher, O.P. - VocalsBr. Brad Elliott, O.P. - Drums Br. Constantius Sanders, O.P. - Vocals

Recording Engineer: Br. Justin Bolger, O.P.Mixing Engineer: Kevin DaileyMastering Engineer: Scott Hull, Masterdisk, New York, N.Y.Project Manager: Br. Jonah Teller, O.P.

Album photos: Paul PadgettAlbum design: Br. Paul Clarke, O.P.Booklet notes: Fr. Thomas Joseph White, O.P.Album cover image: Dominican Friars at River Forest, Illinois (ca. 1926)

Recorded at the Dominican House of Studies, Washington, D.C.dhspriory.org | dominicanajournal.org/music© 2017 Dominicana Records

I’m just a poor wayfaring strangerTraveling through this world belowThere’s no sickness, no toil or dangerIn that bright land to which I go

I’m going there to see my fatherAnd all my loved ones who’ve gone onI’m just going over JordanI’m just going over home

I know dark clouds will gather ‘round meI know my way is hard and steepBut beauteous fields arise before meWhere God’s redeemed, their vigils keep

I’m going there to see my motherShe said she’d meet me when I comeI’m just going over JordanI’m just going over home

Poor Wayfaring Stranger

Author: Anonymous

Just a Closer Walk with TheeAuthor: Anonymous

Just a closer walk with TheeGrant it, Jesus, is my pleaDaily walking close to TheeLet it be, dear Lord, let it be

I am weak but Thou art strongJesus, keep me from all wrongI’ll be satisfied as longAs I walk with thee, dear Lord, let me walk with thee

Through this world of toils and snaresIf I falter, Lord, who caresWho with me my burden sharesNone but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee

When my feeble life is overTime for me will be no moreGuide me gently, safely overTo Thy kingdom shore, O Lord, to Thy shore

Amazing GraceAuthor, v. 1-4: John Newton (1725-1807)Author, v. 5: William Cowper (1731-1800)Arr. Justin Bolger, O.P. (b. 1979)

Amazing grace (how sweet the sound)That saved a wretch like meI once was lost, but now am foundWas blind, but now I see

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fearAnd grace my fears relievedHow precious did that grace appearThe hour I first believed

Through many dangers, toils and snaresI have already come‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus farAnd grace will lead me home

The Lord has promised good to meHis word my hope securesHe will my shield and portion beAs long as life endures

When we’ve been there ten thousand yearsBright shining as the sunWe’ve no less days to sing God’s praiseThan when we’d first begun

To Canaan’s land I’m on my wayWhere the soul of man never diesMy darkest night will turn to dayWhere the soul of man never dies

Dear friends, there’ll be no sad farewellsThere’ll be no tear dimmed eyesWhere all is joy and peace and loveAnd the soul of man never dies

A garden’s blooming there for meWhere the soul of man never diesAnd I shall spend eternityWhere the soul of man never dies

A love light beams across the foamWhere the soul of man never diesIt shines to light the fires of homeWhere the soul of man never dies

To Canaan’s Land Author: William M. Golden (1878-1934)

The depths of this desiccation The height of these scraping towersThe width of this wastingI see potential for action

Inside I hold a treasureSo take a hold of this earthen vesselSo worn and weary But there’s still potential for action

I’m a dog with a torch in my mouth for my LordMaking noise while I got timeSpreading fire while I got earthHow you wish it was already litGive me your fire I’ll do your workI’m just a dog for my Lord I hear a siren soundingThrough streets and over mountainsSo hold out your torch And spread some fire all around you When I found Him Whom my heart lovedI took hold of HimWould not let Him goWould not let Him go When I found Him Whom my heart lovedHe took hold of meWould not let me goWould not let me go

I’m a DogAuthor: Justin Bolger, O.P. (1979-)

What Wondrous Love Is ThisAuthor: Anonymous

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soulWhat wondrous love is this, O my soulWhat wondrous love is this, that caused the Lord of blissTo bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soulTo bear the dreadful curse for my soul

To God and to the Lamb, I will sing, I will singTo God and to the Lamb, I will singTo God and to the Lamb who is the great “I AM”While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will singWhile millions join the theme, I will sing

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing onAnd when from death I’m free, I’ll sing onAnd when from death I’m free, I’ll sing and joyful beAnd through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing onAnd through eternity I’ll sing on

Steal AwayAuthor: Anonymous

Steal away, steal awaySteal away to JesusSteal away, steal away homeI ain’t got long to stay here

My Lord, he calls meHe calls me by the thunderThe trumpet sounds within my soulI ain’t got long to stay here

Green trees are bendingPoor sinners stand a-tremblingThe trumpet sounds within my soulI ain’t got long to stay here

My Lord, He calls meHe calls me by the lightningThe trumpet sounds within my soulI ain’t got long to stay here

St. Anne’s Reel (instrumental)

What a friend we have in JesusAll our sins and griefs to bearWhat a privilege to carryEverything to God in prayerO what peace we often forfeitO the needless pain we bearAll because we do not carryEverything to God in prayer

Have we trials and temptationsIs there trouble anywhereWe should never be discouragedTake it to the Lord in prayerCan we find a friend so faithfulWho will all our sorrows shareJesus knows our every weaknessTake it to the Lord in prayer

Are we weak and heavy ladenCumbered with a load of carePrecious Savior, still our refugeTake it to the Lord in prayerDo thy friends despise, forsake theeTake it to the Lord in prayerIn His arms He’ll take and shield theeThou wilt find a solace there

What a Friend We Have in JesusAuthor: Joseph Medlicott Scriven (1819-1886)