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A Shelter In The Time Of Storm/Jeus is a Rock in a Weary Land
Public Domain Old-Time, Bluegrass Gospel Words: Vernon J. Charlesworth, circa 1880. Music: Ira D. Sankey, circa 1885
ARTIST: Words: Vernon J. Charlesworth, circa 1880.Music: Ira D. Sankey, circa 1885
CATEGORY: Traditional and PD Bluegrass Gospel;
DATE: 1880/1885; First Recorded in 1927 by Smith's Sacred Singers
RECORDING INFO: A Shelter In The Time Of Storm Music: Ira D. Sankey, circa 1885 Words: Vernon J. Charlesworth, circa 1880;
Cissy Houston- He Leadeth Me
RECORDING INFO: Rocking in a Weary Land
Davis, Luther. Old Time Way, Heritage (Galax) 070, LP (1986), trk# 11 [1982/10/14]
Hart and Blech. Devil of a Row, Swing Cat 1618, CD (199?), trk# 5 (Rockin' in a Weary Land)
Herald Angels. You've Been a Friend to Me, Herald Angels HA1001, Cas (1994), trk# 7
Silberberg, Gene. Silberberg, Gene (ed.) / Complete Fiddle Tunes I Either Did or Did Not., Silberberg, Fol (2005), p162 (Rockin' the Weary Land)
OTHER NAMES: "Beautiful Life," "Each Day I'll Do A Golden Deed"
SOURCES: Folk Index; Meade
NOTES: “A Shelter In The Time Of Storm” is important because the Chorus lyrics "Oh, Jesus is a rock in a weary land," written by Charlesworth have become the basis for various spirituals including "My Lawd Gawd Rockin' in de Weary Land" and "Rocking in A Weary Land." [See recording info above]
"Shelter In The Time Of Storm” is an old standard with words by Vernon J. Charlesworth, circa 1880 and music by Ira D. Sankey, circa 1885. Vernon John Charlesworth was a British pastor. He is remembered for writing a biography of Rowland Hill, a famous British nonconformist preacher, who built Surrey Chapel. Vernon later became administrator of Charles Spurgeon’s orphanage.
He wrote “A Shelter In The Time Of Storm” based on Ps32:7 – “Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.”
Someone set this to music and it became popular along the coasts of England. Ira Sankey later composed this tune to the hymn. His account is as follows: I found this hymn in a small paper published in London, called “The Postman.” It was said to be a favourite song of the fishermen on the north coast of England, and they were often heard singing it as they approached their harbours in the time of storm. As the hymn was set to weird minor tune, I decided to compose one that would be more practical, one that could be more easily sung by the people.
A SHELTER IN THE TIME OF STORM- Charlesworth & Sankey
The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
Refrain: Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
A shade by day, defense by night,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
No fears alarm, no foes afright,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
Refrain
The raging storms may round us beat,
A Shelter in the time of storm
We’ll never leave our safe retreat,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
Refrain
O Rock divine, O Refuge dear,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Be Thou our Helper ever near,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
Refrain
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