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John R. Sweney
1837 - 1899 Person Name: Jno. R. Sweney Composer of "[On Calvary's brow my Savior died]" in Revival Hymns and Choruses John R. Sweney (1837-1899) was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania, and exhibited musical abilities at an early age. At nineteen he was studying with a German music teacher, leading a choir and glee club, and performing at children’s entertainments. By twenty-two he was teaching at a school in Dover, Delaware. Soon thereafter, he was put in charge of the band of the Third Delaware Regiment of the Union Army for the duration of the Civil War. After the war, he became Professor of Music at the Pennsylvania Military Academy, and director of Sweney’s Cornet Band. He eventually earned Bachelor and Doctor of Music degrees at the Academy.
Sweney began composing church music in 1871 and became well-known as a leader of large congregations. His appreciators stated “Sweney knows how to make a congregation sing” and “He had great power in arousing multitudes.” He also became director of music for a large Sunday school at the Bethany Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia of which John Wanamaker was superintendent (Wanamaker was the founder of the first major department store in Philadelphia). In addition to his prolific output of hymn melodies and other compositions, Sweney edited or co-edited about sixty song collections, many in collaboration with William J. Kirkpatrick. Sweney died on April 10, 1899, and his memorial was widely attended and included a eulogy by Wanamaker.
Joe Hickerson from "Joe's Jottings #9" used by permission
John R. Sweney
W. M'K Darwood
1835 - 1914 Person Name: Rev. W. M'K. Darwood Author of "Calvary" in Revival Hymns and Choruses Rv William McKendree Darwood DD United Kingdom 1835-1914. Born at Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire, England, he emigrated with his parents at age 13 to the U.S. and resided in IN, where he received education, often getting up at 4 a.m. to study. This resulted in him completing studies in about two years. Converted at 19, he eventually pastored at Methodist Episcopal churches in the Northwest IN Conference in 1869, From the Asbury Church, Terre Haute, IN, he moved to NY in 1880 to pastor St. Paul's Church, Peekskill, NY,, after which he went to Old Bedford St. Church, New York City and pastored there, He held other pastorates around the city, including the Washington Heights Church in Yonkers and the 18th Street Church. He received a DD degree from Baker University in1887. In 1904 he requested a transfer to Katonal, NY to pastor there. After several years he retired, having pastored for 21 years. During this time he held about 145 weeks of revival services, from which more than a 1000 souls were converted and added to the church. In his prime, he was in great demand to speak at camp meetings. He probably preached in more NYC churches than any other minister, having visited nearly all the Manhattan Island churches as well. He wrote several hymn lyrics. He died at Little River, CT. He left a wife and daughter, Antoinette.
John Perry
W. M'K Darwood
William Fairhurst
Author (first chorus) of "It was on the cross he shed his blood" in The Song Book of the Salvation Army
William Fairhurst
