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When sorrows encompass me round

by Eulalie

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about

We first heard this old hymn sung by legendary fiddler and banjo player Tommy Jarrell. The words are by John Dowling (1807 - 1878), and can be found in a selection of 19th-century hymnals.

Our version is inspired by the style of Tommy Jarrell's father, Ben, who recorded with Da Costa Woltz's Southern Broadcasters 1927-1929. Since Tommy learned most of his repertory from his father, it is very likely Ben Jarrell was the source of this hymn. The three-finger banjo accompaniment is inspired by the playing of Frank Jenkins, who also recorded with the Southern Broadcasters, and it is performed here on a nylon-strung banjo.

lyrics

When sorrows encompass me round, composed by John Dowling, Revival Melodies, or Songs of Zion, published by John Putnam, Boston, 1842, p. 30.

When sorrows encompass me round
And many distresses I see
Astonished I cry, can a mortal be found
Surrounded with troubles like me?

Few seasons of peace I enjoy,
And they are succeeded by pain
If e'er a few moments of praise I enjoy
I have hours and days to complain

May I be prepared for that day
When Jesus shall bid me remove
That I may in raptures go shouting away
To the arms of my heav'nly Love.

My spirit to glory conveyed
My body laid low in the ground
I wish not a tear at my grave to be shed
But all join in praising around.

No sorrow be vented that day
When Jesus hath called me home
With singing and shouting let each brother say
"She's gone from the evil to come."

If souls disembodied can know
Or visit their brethren beneath
My spirit shall join you, while singing you go
And leave all my cares in the grave.

Immersed in the ocean of Love
My soul, like an angel shall sing
Till Christ shall descend with a shout from above
And make all creation to ring.

Our bodies, in dust shall obey
And swifter than thought shall arise
Then, changed in a moment, go shouting away
To mansions of love in the skies.

When sorrows encompass me round
And many distresses I see
Astonished I cry, can a mortal be found
Surrounded with troubles like me?

credits

released March 22, 2018
Donna Stewart, vocal
Ron Andrico, banjo
Orlando Pizzicato, guitar

Recorded by James Kananen, Bad Racket Studios
Cleveland, OH, March 17, 2018

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all rights reserved

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Eulalie Cleveland Heights, Ohio

Eulalie (pronounce it "YOU-la-lee")
True blue. Guaranteed 100% irony-free.

Hauntingly stark, sweetly sentimental, or just plain fun,
these old songs tell the stories of people's lives.
Ron & Donna treat these treasures with the love and respect of honest, straightforward arrangements inspired by the old masters of parlor, dance hall, and backwoods. ... more

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