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Lisburn, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland
 
 
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
 

Gospel singer George Hamilton IV pays tribute to Banbridge poet

Well-known Country Gospel singer George Hamilton IV together with some local musicians paid a tribute to Banbridge poet Joseph Scriven at a service in Lisburn Church of the Nazarene last Sunday on Sunday evening 4th March.  During the service, George told the story of how the late Joseph Scriven, formerly a member of Holy Trinity Parish, Banbridge, emigrated to Canada in 1845 and became a school teacher.  While on a trip to the Holy Land in 1846 he wrote a poem entitled 'What a friend we have in Jesus'.  In 1870, the editor of the Portmore Evening Standard came across the poem and published it.  George Hamilton went on to explain that the poem later fell into the hands of the great hymn writer Charles Converse who put the melody to it.  During the service, George Hamilton and the band of local musicians played what is now Joseph Scriven's well-known beautiful gospel hymn.  Other songs they played included 'Amazing Grace' and George's popular hit song 'Canadian Pacific'.

On Monday evening George and the band performed at Newmills (near Gilford) and on Tuesday evening they were at Waringstown.  On Wednesday (7thMarch) they played in Queen Street Methodist Church, Lurgan.

 Well-known Country Gospel singer George Hamilton 1V pictured at a tribute to Banbridge poet Joseph Scriven in Lisburn Church of the Nazarene on Sunday 4th March. 

Well-known Country Gospel singer George Hamilton 1V pictured at a tribute to Banbridge poet Joseph Scriven in Lisburn Church of the Nazarene on Sunday 4th March.  L to R: (seated) Rev Albert Griffith, George Hamilton 1V and Mrs Rhonda Griffith.  (back row) Joe Redmond (church trustee), Sam Armstrong (vocals and Percussion), Colin Elliott (vocals and bass) and Sam Perkins (church trustee).  Missing from the photo is keyboard player Samuel Purdy and guitarist and vocalist Roy Dreaning.

05/03/2007