DESCRIPTION:
"Alone" was written by Ben H. Price in 1914 (public domain) and was both recorded and performed by the Wings Over Jordan Choir as they toured Europe during my mother's tenure with WOJC in WWII. It is one of my favorite songs of WOJC, not only due to its sound, but also due to its profound meaning. WOJC embraces this song with their souls, spirits, and voices in such a way that you can sense the agony and experience of Jesus Christ before and after His Crucifixion.
Over the years, I have had the great pleasure of meeting many relatives of the Wings over Jordan Choir. In addition to my mother, Evangelist (Prophetess) Hazel Johnson (October 23, 1922-March 12, 2002), who led songs, as well as sang and recruited for the choir, I do honor every member of the Wings Over Jordan Choir. "Amen" is the name of the album of this recording of "Alone" and my mother is located in the front at the mike on the right. As members identify their relatives as having been a part of this recording, I will add their names here, too, for the great history of this choir as well as for the heritage of their relatives.

Below, are the Lyrics to "Alone" as well as a brief history about the Wings Over Jordan Choir.

"Alone"

It was alone the Savior prayed
In dark Gethsemane;

Alone He drained the bitter cup
And suffered there for me.

Refrain:
Alone, alone,
He bore it all alone;
He gave Himself to save His own,
He suffered, bled and died alone, alone.

It was alone the Savior stood
In Pilate’s judgment hall;
Alone the crown of thorns He wore,
Forsaken thus by all.

Alone upon the cross He hung
That others He might save;
Forsaken then by God and man,
Alone, His life He gave.
Can you reject such matchless love?
Can you His claim disown?
Come, give your all in gratitude,
Nor leave Him thus alone.

Wings over Jordan Choir Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Wings-Over-Jordan-Choir/628261487238397


More about WOJ: The WINGS OVER JORDAN CHOIR (WOJC), a prominent African American choir during the late 1930s and early 1940s, made broadcast history with the first independently produced national and international radio programs created by AFRICAN AMERICANS. The group made contributions to choral music and the improvement of race relations. The choir was founded in 1935 by the Rev. GLENN T. SETTLE†, pastor of Gethsemane Baptist Church on E. 30th and Scovill Ave. in Cleveland. Rev. Settle believed in using Negro spirituals to spread Christianity. He promoted establishing a radio program to address the Negro community and introduce the non-Negro to the Negro experience. In 1937, the ensemble performed weekly on the "Negro Hour" over RADIO station WGAR, a CBS affiliate. It soon became a hit.

The Wings Over Jordan Choir, ca. 1940s. WRHS.- On 9 Jan. 1938 the group adopted the name Wings Over Jordan Choir and national broadcasting began. WOJC performed a decade long series of weekly, sometimes daily, programs for CBS and WGAR exclusively. WOJC was the first full-time professional black choir in America. At its height, the choir performed before sold-out, non-segregated audiences in over 40 states, 5 European countries, Canada, and Mexico. During WORLD WAR II, under USO sponsorship, WOJC toured Army camps in Europe. WOJC's fame resulted in the publication of a songbook and record album, a movie contract, performances with major symphony orchestras, and an invitation to sing at the White House. The choir received numerous honors, including radio's prestigious Peabody Award. It was instrumental in preserving authentic Negro spirituals and became the universal voice of American Negroes.

Information on the WOJ: The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History http://ech.cwru.edu/ech-cgi/article.pl?id=WOJC