As soon as I see those words I can hear the song in my mind! It’s one that really sticks with you, although I don’t think I know more than the chorus in English! I learnt this song in mother tongue and have mastered all the stanzas in that language. This song has been used in several movies, including Texas ChainSaw Massacre, and Granny Clampett used to sing it in the Beverly Hillbillies! The story behind the hymn: When he was only 13, Knowles Shaw stood at the bedside of his dying father. “Prepare to meet thy God!” said the old man. Weighty words from Amos 4:12. And the young man promptly ignored them! A talented fiddler, he played for many community dances, living a careless, fun-filled life. But five years later, at a rowdy dance party, Knowles Shaw seemed to hear his father’s words echoing in his heart. He says he dropped his violin bow on the spot. Sensing his values were all wrong, he determined never again to use his talent just to amuse the careless crowd. At the age of eighteen, Knowles Shaw gave his heart to Christ and prepared for Christian ministry. Records kept at the time suggest that the Lord used him to bring nearly 20,000 people to Christ. In 1874, he wrote a gospel song called Bringing in the Sheaves. It is based on Psalm 126:5-6 which says: Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Going forth with weeping, sowing for the Master, Brining in Sheaves is a metaphorical image of harvesting: The words were written by Shaw Knowles in 1874. The song was written for worship in Christian services, and the images of sowing and harvesting in the song are biblical references. The Bible makes numerous references to sowing seed, which is understood to be the act of spreading knowledge and truth. Specifically, it refers to telling others about Jesus, who said of himself “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” With this understanding of the act of sowing (planting seeds), the acts of harvesting are then easier to understand. Truth (i.e. knowledge of Jesus) is planted in the hearts and minds of people, which then grows into knowledge, understanding, and belief. The final fruit of that growth is when people believe in Jesus, and choose to follow him. Thus, while the literal image of bringing in sheaves is an image of gathering grain during a harvest, the metaphorical image is one of followers of Jesus presenting to God (Jesus) the new followers that have been brought into his service by their efforts. The Bible itself uses the harvesting metaphor several times in ways that mirror the harvest metaphor in the song, casting the followers of Jesus in the role of harvesters. In Matthew chapter 9, verses 35-38: There is a more subtle implication (maybe not so subtle if you read more closely than I) that the sowing and reaping / harvesting is done by God’s followers, but the actual work of causing the seed of truth to grow into understanding and belief is the word of God through the Holy Spirit. What an interesting set of metaphors. Couple of comments on the lyrics: “Sowing in the shadows” – I get the mental image of the farmer that rises early in the morning and sows in the shadows, and who continues to work into the shadows of the dusk of evening . He has an urgency about him. He has little time. But he can’t wait for perfect weather. He can’t spread the planting over several months. He must get the seed in the ground. Yes, it is hard work. Yes, it may bring grief and pain. But oh what reward there is come harvest time. To see the fruit of one’s labor. To know that every drop of blood, sweat, and tears has not brought an abundant harvest. We, too, must be like this farmer. We must sow in the shadows. We must be willing to do the hard work required to get the seed in the ground. The harvest is coming. The author of this hymn had a rather unusual name – Knowles. Not sure of the origin of that name, but his name did make me think. Are we a generation that “knows-less” about God? Have we forgotten how God’s hand was upon many nations founding? Sowing in the morning, the noontime, and evening. Spreading the good news in the buckle of the Bible Belt. There will be a harvest one day, and I pray that each of us can be one of the ones who comes rejoicing “bringing in the sheaves.” Further Notes About this hymn and Knowles Shaw: Knowles Shaw was born on October 31,1834, in Butler County, Ohio. We don’t know much about his childhood, but we are lucky to have an eyewitness to his death. He was a great soul winner and loved the great hymns of his day. He contributed one that was written in 1874 and after 133 years still is dear to the hearts of Christians everywhere. The following letter written by his pastor, elder Kirk Baxter from Dallas, Texas tells of his final day on earth. Knowles Shaw wrote the music for “Bringing in the Sheaves,” in 1874, but was not as well received as would be expected. In 1880 George Austin Minor wrote a new tune for this hymn and it was well received and we still sing it to this tune today. George Minor was born on December 7,1845 in Richmond Virginia. He attended the military academy in Richmond Virginia and served during the Civil War. After the war he went into the music field and began teaching at music schools and conducted singings at conventions. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Richmond, Virginia. He was also Sunday School Superintendent there. |