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Does Jesus Care?
Public Domain Old-Time, Bluegrass Gospel Words by Frank Graeff and Music by J. Lincoln Hall 1900;
ARTIST: The Prairie Ramblers 1938
SHEET MUSIC: http://books.google.com/books?id=vEpPu4UQ5fYC&pg=PA40&dq=%
22Does+Jesus+Care22+gospel&hl=en&ei=v98rTLa0BIT58AbTwOnsCw&sa=X&oi=
book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false
CATEGORY: Traditional and Public Domain Gospel;
DATE: 1900; First Recorded by Prairie Ramblers 1938
RECORDING INFO: Does Jesus Care?
Prairie Ramblers Chicago, Ill. Vo 04134; 1938
Morris Brothers
OTHER NAMES: O Yes, He Cares
SOURCES: Meade
NOTES: The gospel song, "Does Jesus Care?" recorded by The Prairie Ramblers in 1938 was written by Words by Frank Graeff and Music by J. Lincoln Hall in 1900.
The Prairie Ramblers were one of the popular groups on WLS National Barn Dance and WLW Midwestern Hayride. Back in 1938, they were selected by listeners as one of the top 3 acts on WLS. Patsy Montana also performed with the group.
We found an old song folio of theirs, "The Prairie Ramblers Songs Of The Trail" that indicated the group was formed in 1931 and performed for many years since.
Their song library included "...cowboy songs, mountain songs, old-fashioned spirituals and side-splitting comedy." As a matter of fact, four of them were actually born in log houses. The group was also heard regularly on the "Smile-A-While Time" radio show that began at 5:30am.
Group Members included: Chick Hurt, married, wife was Gladys, daughter, Nancy; likes motorcycles - used to be a highway traffic cop. Played banjo and mandolin. He was born in Willow Shade, KY. Chick and his dad used to broadcast, but not over the radio as you might think, but over the local neighborhood party line. Imagine, neighbors would listen on the phone while they performed for hours on end. In a sense, it may have been the first 'network' show of its kind.
Jack Taylor, married to Clina, son Daniel; played bass fiddle, guitar and one of original members of group. Born in a town called Summer Shade, KY; said to have known as much about Cattle Calls as he did about Barn Dance calls.
Alan Crockett, began with Prairie Ramblers 1938; related to the infamous Davy Crockett of the southwest; played fiddle and was suspected of being one of the members of the duo 'Nap and Lige (Red Foley may have been the other). Began in show business when he was 11, touring with the Croket Family all over the US and Canada.
Bernie Smith, 1945 or so; played guitar and electric guitar, wife was named Elizabeth. He started his entertainment career at 15, and immediately got a reputation as a whiz with the guitar. Appeared with Tommy Dorsey and other reknown bands. Tex Atchison, a left-handed fiddle player, and Salty Holmes were also members.
Frank Graeff was born on December 19, 1860, in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania, and died on July 29, 1919, at Ocean Grove, New Jersey. At an early age, he felt called of God to the Christian ministry and was admitted to the Philadelphia Conference of the Methodist Church, in 1890. Graeff was always interested in the children in his churches and became well-known for his story-telling ability with the youngsters. Altogether, Mr. Graeff authored more than 200 hymns as well as a successful novel, The Minister's Twins.
The composer of the music, J. Lincoln Hall (1866- 1930), was a prominent person in the fields of gospel and sacred music throughout his life. He graduated with high honors from the University of Pennsylvania and later received the honorary Doctor of Music degree from Harriman University. Hall was a highly respected song leader, choral conductor, composer, and music publisher. He wrote music for many cantatas, oratorios, anthems, and hundreds of gospel songs. For many years, he was associated with the Hall-Mack Publishing Company in Philadelphia, which later merged with the Rodeheaver Publishing Company in Winona Lake, Indiana.
Hall composed this music especially for Graeff’s text. It was copyrighted in 1901. Mr. Hall once remarked that his musical setting was his most inspired piece of music. The first publication of the hymn seems to have been, in 1905, in the hymnal, New Songs of the Gospel, No. 2, published by the Hall-Mack Company.
DOES JESUS CARE?- Prairie Ramblers/ by Frank E. Graeff & J. Lincoln Hall
1. Does Jesus care when my heart is pained
Too deeply for mirth and song;
As the burdens press, and the cares distress,
And the way grows weary and long?
Refrain: O yes, He cares- I know He cares!
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary,
The long nights dreary,
I know my Savior cares. (He cares.)
2. Does Jesus care when my way is dark
With a nameless dread and fear?
As the daylight fades into deep night shades,
Does He care enough to be near?
3. Does Jesus care when I’ve said goodbye
To the dearest on earth to me,
And my sad heart aches till it nearly breaks
Is it aught to Him? Does He see?
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