10.5.21 ~ Count Your Blessings (1897 - public domain) sung by J Gering

Written in 1897 by Johnson Oatman a prolific songwriter who found his talent and gift at age 36. While some may think I was around to hear this anew, sorry to disappoint you, lol. However, this song now 124 yrs old, is public domain. Lifestyle Story behind the song: “Count Your Blessings” Posted Nov 20, 2014 at 6:46 PM Gipsy Smith, a famous evangelist of yesteryear, said of this song, “Men sing it, boys whistle it and women rock their babies to sleep to it.” Johnson Oatman, Jr., born April 21, 1856, was a citizen of Lumberton, N.J. His dad was a local merchant and just happened to be the best singer in town, with a rich, powerful voice. Young Johnson could not sing as well as his father, yet he grew up wanting to make some musical contributions of his own. However, for a time he worked in the family business, but soon gave up those opportunities and began to study for the ministry. After finishing school and ministering in the Methodist Episcopal churches for a time, Johnson continued to hope that life surely held some other plans for him. At 36, he realized that he did, without question, have a musical talent after all. He could write songs for other Christians to sing. So, every year some 200 songs flowed from his pen. He eventually had written 5,000 songs and was happy that in his musical compositions he had found a way to “preach the Gospel.” Of all the songs Oatman wrote. he seemed to claim as his own favorites, “No, Not One” and “Higher Ground.” However...