Mr. Charles H. Gabriel was a great composer and musician. Gabriel loved music from a young age. He was born in Iowa on August 18, 1856 and grew up on his family farm. The lessons he learned early in life would shape him into the person he became. In fact, he was only 17 years old when he began teaching singing classes throughout the Southern, Western, and Northern states. It wasn’t long before he moved to California and became one of the greatest composers on the West Coast.
Gabriel received little to no instruction in music and developed his style of music completely on his own. He is well known for the music he composed including music for Sunday schools and evangelistic meetings. The song, “Send the Light,” is known for being one of the best missionary songs available. He published many Christmas cantatas, cantatas for adults, operettas and the cantata, “Saul, King of Israel,” the work he considered his best. His other works include many marches and waltzes for military bands, books of music for female and male voices, and books for children’s music, some of which are his most remembered works.
This great composer was known among many, but was not one to have any kind of rivalry with other musicians and composers. Hall described him as, “a very genial and kindly-spirited man. His large success has not spoiled him but seems rather to have added kindliness and helpfulness to his naturally generous disposition.” It is no wonder he had such an impact on the music community.
When all my labours and trials are o’er,
And I am safe on that beautiful shore,
Just to be near the dear Lord I adore,
Will through the ages be glory for me.
When by the gift of his infinite grace
I am accorded in heaven a place,
Just to be there and to look on his face,
Will through the ages be glory for me.
Friends will be there I have loved long ago;
Joy like a river around me will flow;
Yet, just a smile from my Saviour, I know,
Will through the ages be glory for me.
Refrain
Oh, that will be glory for me,
glory for me, glory for me,
When by his grace I shall look on his face,
That will be glory, be glory for me.
Hall, J., 1971. Biography of gospel song and hymn writers. New York: Fleming.
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