Читать книгу Sisters In Song; Women Hymn Writers - Leslie Clay - Страница 15

1888-1958

“Beyond the Sunset”

Blanche was a talented singer and pianist who honed her skills at the Indianapolis Conservatory of Music and the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. Blanche wrote music and her Quaker pastor husband, Virgil, wrote lyrics for about 500 gospel songs.

Homer Rodenheaver had a school of music in Winona Lake, Indiana. During the summer of 1936, he invited all faculty members to his home for the evening. Among them were the Brocks. That night, they watched a very unusual sunset with Virgil’s cousin, Horace Burr. A large area of the lake appeared ablaze with the glory of God, yet there were storm clouds gathered overhead. Burr was blind. As they talked about the impressive beauty of that sunset, Burr remarked that he had never seen a more beautiful sunset. He told them, “I see through other people’s eyes, and I think I often see more; I see beyond the sunset.” Blanche later said, “The phrase ‘beyond the sunset’ and the striking inflection of his voice struck me so forcibly, I began singing the first few measures. We then went to the piano and completed the first verse.” Before dinner ended, all four stanzas were complete. The song was dedicated to Horace.