Earlier this week I wrote about my dad on his birthday, and remembered us singing. The Old Account was one of the hymns we would sing a cappella while we cooled on the porch on summer evenings. I can remember that my lil' ole sister and I could really hit some high notes during the chorus, especially on the 'Hallelujah' part. You cannot prove me wrong 'cause there is no recording of it on this earth.
I have known this song since I've known my name. Johnny Cash recorded it and many people know it as his song, but it is much, much older than Johnny Cash.
The Old Account Was Settled Long Ago
Lyrics and Composer: Frank M. Graham, 1902.
There was a time on earth, when in the book of Heav’n
An old account was standing for sins yet unforgiv’n;
My name was at the top, and many things below,
I went unto the Keeper, and settled long ago.
Chorus
Long ago (down on my knees), long ago (I settled it all),
Yes, the old account was settled long ago (Hallelujah!);
And the record’s clear today, for He washed my sins away,
When the old account was settled long ago.
The old account was large, and growing every day,
For I was always sinning, and never tried to pay;
But when I looked ahead, and saw such pain and woe,
I said that I would settle, I settled long ago.
Long ago (down on my knees), long ago (I settled it all),
Yes, the old account was settled long ago (Hallelujah!);
And the record’s clear today, for He washed my sins away,
When the old account was settled long ago.
When in that happy home, my Savior’s home above,
I’ll sing redemption’s story, and praise Him for His love;
I’ll not forget that book, with pages white as snow,
Because I came and settled, and settled long ago.
Long ago (down on my knees), long ago (I settled it all),
Yes, the old account was settled long ago (Hallelujah!);
And the record’s clear today, for He washed my sins away,
When the old account was settled long ago.
O sinner, trust the Lord, be cleansed of all your sin,
For thus He hath provided for you to enter in;
And then if you should live a hundred years below,
Up there you’ll not regret it, you settled long ago.
Long ago (down on my knees), long ago (I settled it all),
Yes, the old account was settled long ago (Hallelujah!);
And the record’s clear today, for He washed my sins away,
When the old account was settled long ago.
Some things never get old, and it makes me happy that something that was so true and relevant more than a hundred years ago is just as good today as it ever was. Anyone can sing it. Okay, here we go: a-one, an a-two, an a three. . .
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I have known this song since I've known my name. Johnny Cash recorded it and many people know it as his song, but it is much, much older than Johnny Cash.
The Old Account Was Settled Long Ago
Lyrics and Composer: Frank M. Graham, 1902.
There was a time on earth, when in the book of Heav’n
An old account was standing for sins yet unforgiv’n;
My name was at the top, and many things below,
I went unto the Keeper, and settled long ago.
Chorus
Long ago (down on my knees), long ago (I settled it all),
Yes, the old account was settled long ago (Hallelujah!);
And the record’s clear today, for He washed my sins away,
When the old account was settled long ago.
The old account was large, and growing every day,
For I was always sinning, and never tried to pay;
But when I looked ahead, and saw such pain and woe,
I said that I would settle, I settled long ago.
Long ago (down on my knees), long ago (I settled it all),
Yes, the old account was settled long ago (Hallelujah!);
And the record’s clear today, for He washed my sins away,
When the old account was settled long ago.
When in that happy home, my Savior’s home above,
I’ll sing redemption’s story, and praise Him for His love;
I’ll not forget that book, with pages white as snow,
Because I came and settled, and settled long ago.
Long ago (down on my knees), long ago (I settled it all),
Yes, the old account was settled long ago (Hallelujah!);
And the record’s clear today, for He washed my sins away,
When the old account was settled long ago.
O sinner, trust the Lord, be cleansed of all your sin,
For thus He hath provided for you to enter in;
And then if you should live a hundred years below,
Up there you’ll not regret it, you settled long ago.
Long ago (down on my knees), long ago (I settled it all),
Yes, the old account was settled long ago (Hallelujah!);
And the record’s clear today, for He washed my sins away,
When the old account was settled long ago.
Some things never get old, and it makes me happy that something that was so true and relevant more than a hundred years ago is just as good today as it ever was. Anyone can sing it. Okay, here we go: a-one, an a-two, an a three. . .
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Neat Post. As soon as you said "Cooled on the Porch" the mental picture popped in my head. I often think of eating watermelon at the place on the loop and constantly being stung by sweat bees. So odd that I wish I could go back to that time of being stung.
ReplyDeleteLooks like we remembered the good things and forgot about the bad! I think that is a sweet, good thing.
DeleteYes, I remember this song! I don't know if I've told you before, but my dad and mother sang in a gospel quartet and I learned the songs along with them, including the different parts.
ReplyDeleteI checked the Baptist hymnal at church last night, and this song wasn't in it. I love the old ones and hope they are never forgotten.
ReplyDelete