The 6 Songs Billy Graham Picked for His Funeral

Christianity Today ^ | 03/05/2018 | SARAH EEKHOFF ZYLSTRA

[SeekAndFind]

As Billy Graham is laid to rest in North Carolina today, the 2,000 invited funeral attendees will listen to—or sing together—six songs. Graham, who planned his own funeral [see CT’s live report], was the one who chose them.

In this, he seems to have taken the path of his longtime music director Cliff Barrows.

“I want a lot of music,” Barrows instructed Billy Graham Evangelistic Association choir director Tom Bledsoe before he died in 2016. “And I want the people to sing.”

Graham’s six picks:

1. “Until Then” (Stuart Hamblen, 1958), performed by musical artist Linda McCrary-Fisher
2. “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” (Edward Perronet, 1779), congregational singing led by Bledsoe
3. “Above All” (Lenny LeBlanc and Paul Baloche, 1999), performed by musical artist Michael W. Smith
4. “Because He Lives” (Bill and Gloria Gaither, 1970), performed by the Gaither Vocal Band
5. “To God Be the Glory” (Fanny Crosby/William Howard Doane, 1875), congregational singing led by Bledsoe
6. “Amazing Grace,” bagpipe escort led by Pipe Major William Boetticher

CT asked worship and hymnody experts what they thought of Graham’s choices:

John Witvliet, director of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship and professor of worship, theology, and congregational and ministry studies at Calvin College and Calvin Theological Seminary:

Each of these songs echoes central themes in Graham’s ministry: All glory be to Jesus, whose death and resurrection set us free from sin. There is also a steady focus here on life with Jesus in heaven, a hallmark of evangelical piety, a strong emphasis on one’s own individual and personal affirmation of faith, and a warmth of affection.

[GOP Poet]

Amen

[wild74]

Because He Lives one of the best songs ever written

[sparklite2]

I told the wife I wanted “How Great Thou Art,” until I realized it isn’t talking about me...

[yarddog]

I used to attend the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games every Summer.

One of the groups which would be in the opening parade would be the Montreat band. Graham’s home was above Montreat which is the Presbyterian Assembly. I would be surprised if they were not at Graham’s funeral.

Graham was a Southern Baptist tho.

[Wuli]

Besides Amazing Grace, my favorite on the list:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_cxhf5ISeg

[Salvavida]

I’ll Fly Away

[Wuli]

another one outside of spotify

Until Then - Hamblen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbHuJIYjLpE

[Wuli]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIh9v5MbGms

[Albion Wilde]

And with “Amazing Grace,” they take a hymn well known to many people, but with the bagpipes presented it in a form that had become super common (because, in this case, of how often bagpipe renditions were used at memorials after 9/11).

Uh, Billy Graham was of Scottish heritage, as are many people from the Appalachian Piedmont. So I don't think it was just a copycat of 9/11.

[PGalt]

Uh? I’m surprised he didn’t pick this one...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_izvAbhExY

/s

R.I.P. Billy Graham - one GREAT American. Thank you, sir.

love

[central_va]

I’ll take Mozart’s Requiem Mass in D minor

[Theodore R.]

Wonder why he didn’t use “Just As I Am,” which he played at nearly every crusade and entitled his autobiography by that name as well?

[bkopto]

That’s good, but I’ll up you one with Faure’s In Paradisum.

[Irish Queen]

My Sweet Hubby was a pilot.Our four children grew up singing, "I'll Fly Away" as a car song. On the chorus the kids would flap their wings (arms). The grandkids flapped their wings while they sang at their Grampa's graveside ceremony.

Sweet Hubby was proud of the fact that he held a current pilot's license 'til the day he fly to his real home, heaven.

[AnalogReigns]

Graham was So. Baptist...but, his parents and his wife, were Presbyterians.

[xkaydet65]

For recessional I would choose the first two stanzas of Sent Forth by God’s Blessing.

[longfellowsmuse]

A nice hymn..one we sing often at my church.

[Ban Draoi Marbh Draoi]

“Just as I am” was played and sung by Micheal W. Smith at the service that was held under the Capitol Rotunda honoring Billy Graham as he lay in honor.

It was beautiful and powerful.

[midnightcat]

these are beautiful songs. For my father’s funeral this past November, we had “In the Garden”, My Hope is in the Lord and Abide with Me.

[yarddog]

My Mother was a devoted Christian and at her funeral we sang the traditional Christian hymns.

Her favorite song was “Beautiful Dreamer”, and it seemed so appropriate for Mother. The choir sang it too.

Later, several people told me it was the most beautiful funeral they had ever been to.