EL NATHAN (McGranahan)

Composer: James McGranahan

James McGranahan USA 1840-1907. Born at West Fallowfield, PA, uncle of Hugh McGranahan, and son of a farmer, he farmed during boyhood. Due to his love of music his father let him attend singing school, where he learned to play the bass viol. At age 19 he organized his first singing class and soon became a popular teacher in his area of the state. He became a noted musician and hymns composer. His father was reluctant to let him pursue this career, but he soon made enough money doing it that he was able to hire a replacement farmhand to help his father while he studied music. His father, a wise man, soon realized how his son was being used by God to win souls through his music. He entered the Normal Music School at Genesco, NY, under… Go to person page >

James McGranahan (PHH 99), Whittle's song leader, composed EL NATHAN. The tunes title is a pseudonym used by Whittle. A typical gospel hymn tune, EL NATHAN is constructed with a few melodic lines and a very simple harmony, but it is marked by some rhythmic interest. The tune is easily sung in parts. Try singing the stanzas in two long lines. The text of the refrain calls for one long extended phrase; accompanists and choirs using staggered breathing can demonstrate the effectiveness of a musical “communion of the saints” by performing the entire refrain without a break.

--Psalter Hymnal Handbook, 1989