Canaan Melodies
In 2023 I discovered the old hymnal of the Pentecostal Church of the Nazarene from 1914.
I so enjoyed these powerful songs of worship and holiness that I started recording them.
You can listen to them free on YouTube below.
If you’d like to support the work I put into these songs, you can stream the Canaan Melodies Volume 1 album:
on YouTube Music here,
on Spotify here,
on Apple Music here,
or purchase the digital download on my online store.
Shall We Gather at the River hymn (Canaan Melodies #20)
Song 20 in the old 1914 Nazarene hymnal is the classic hymn by Rev. Robert Lowrey based on Revelation 22:1-12, looking ahead to the day when we "gather with the saints at the river that flows by the throne of God". A wonderful song of hope for us as we await that day!
Is it the Crowning Day? (Canaan Melodies #19)
Song 19 is the Canaan Melodies hymnal is a wistful hymn about longing for Jesus to come again. It reminds of how my Gran would look into the skies and say “is today the day, Lord?” But the song reminds us too that while we wait for Him, we must be faithful and tell of his love.
Entire Consecration - Take My Life and Let it Be (Canaan Melodies #18)
Frances Ridley Havergal's famous poem of consecration made it into the Church of the Nazarene's 1914 "Canaan Melodies" hymnal. This version includes a refrain written by the great hymnwriter William J Kirkpatrick. I changed the beat a little to give it an upbeat pop-rock feel, with the help of my CrossRoad bandmates. Hope this will inspire you to make your entire consecration to the Lord!
Contentment (Canaan Melodies #17)
This upbeat song of thankful praise will surely get you in a good mood today, singing "hallelujah, hallelujah, I am walking in His presence satisfied!" The CrossRoad guys join me to really rock it. Be blessed in His name as you listen.
Royal Telephone (Canaan Melodies #16)
I imagine this song was so exciting when it came out at the turn of the century - comparing prayer to a telephone line to heaven! The words still ring true today: God's line is always open for us to talk with Him.
Is Not This the Land of Beulah?(Canaan Melodies #15)
This song I didn't know. It equates the sanctified life with the land of Beulah prophesied in Isaiah - a "blessed blessed land of light, where the flowers bloom forever and the sun is always bright"! There are great words in here about handling life's struggles with faith too. I have come to really love singing this!
Saved to the Uttermost (Canaan Melodies #14)
A lovely holiness song! Based on Hebrews 7:25 - "he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him" - this song is very easy to sing and celebrates God's full salvation in our lives. It reminds me a little of "Blessed Assurance" in its feel. I think it would work well in our churches today still.
Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus (Canaan Melodies #13)
Song 13 in the Church of the Nazarene's 1914 "Canaan Melodies" hymnal is a favourite for many. A sweet and happy song about trusting Jesus. I tried an a capella style based on Billy Joel's "The Longest Time".
When Love Shines In (Canaan Melodies #12)
A great upbeat song about the effect of God's love in the heart of a person. What great words! I kept the melody the same but changed the time signature from a waltz to an upbeat 4/4 - it seemed happier this way!
Home of the Soul (Canaan Melodies #11)
A wonderful old hymn about the joys that await in heaven. Much of the imagery is taken from Revelation 21 and 22 - jasper walls, trees of life bearing fruit, the river flowing from the throne, Jesus holding our crowns in his hands. Wonderful stuff, and a beautiful wistful melody. This one will speak to your soul!
Jesus Saves (Canaan Melodies #10)
This is a stunning hymn about the saving grace of Jesus! My bandmates and I gave it a real mellow acoustic feel.
Blessed Be The Name (Canaan Melodies #9)
My CrossRoad band mates helped me rock up this old hymn a bit. What a great song of praise and worship that we can still sing with joy today!
Some Day (Canaan Melodies #8)
A beautiful song about the glorious future that God's children will enjoy in his presence in heaven. What a wonderful day that will be!
Now is the Day (Canaan Melodies #7)
This powerful song was probably used during altar calls in the early days. It is a call to turn to God because time is short! A lovely song and one that is still fitting for us today.
Tis Good To Live in Canaan (Canaan Melodies #6)
A country/western classic! The words are very much early holiness movement words, proclaiming how good it is to have left behind the land of unbelief and sin, and live by faith with the blessing full salvation. Hallelujah!
Love Divine (Canaan Melodies #5)
The classic Charles Wesley hymn "Love Divine". These are great words of holiness! Reformed churches normally change 'second rest' to 'blessed rest', and 'bent to sinning' to 'love of sinning'. But Wesley was all about perfection and perfect cleansing. What a song! It doesn't get much better than this.
The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power (Canaan Melodies #4)
A wonderful hymn about the blood of Jesus, written by Civilla D. Martin and W. Stillman Martin.
Friendship with Jesus (Canaan Melodies #3)
Song 3 in the Church of the Nazarene's 1914 hymnal 'Canaan Melodies' is a stunning song about Jesus' offer of friendship, written by Major Ludgate, tune by Stephen Collins Foster.
Canaan Melodies (Canaan Melodies #2)
Written by Rev. E Hilton Post, Arthur F Ingler, this is another song celebrating God's sanctifying grace. What a joy to sing "glory hallelujah my soul is sanctified!" and "I have the second blessing, from sin my soul is freed!"
I had my CrossRoad bandmates join me to give it a real upbeat feel.
I love this song! I can't stop singing it with joy!
Living in Canaan (Canaan Melodies #1)
Written by J. Glenn Gould and Arthur F. Ingler, this is a rich song which celebrates the 'second blessing' of sanctification - salvation to the uttermost.
It calls all believers to leave their sinful wastelands and enter into their own Promised Land by faith!
Great song and a catchy tune, I can't stop singing it since I recorded it.