INTRODUCTION BY BRYN HAWORTH
Whenever I lead worship, whether in a church, a prison or a home, I always try to
include an established hymn among the modern songs and choruses. I love their
rich lyrical content and the stories of these ‘hymns of redemption’ that my friend
Paul Davis has brought back to our attention.
The way that these hymns teach me-and-others about God is a great source of strength and comfort, and I can't count how many times they have helped me give wings to the depth of my faith in Christ, and my gratitude to God my Father.
Such is the case of hymns like ‘I Serve A Risen Saviour’ (or as it is better known as ‘He Lives’). That’s the very reason that I often include it regularly in my concert repertoire.
To generations past these songs have been an 'anchor for the soul', and it's with great
joy that I hear them being sung by the new generation of worship leaders.
Long may these treasures be rediscovered and cherished, and may new hymns be written and added to the wealth-of-song we have inherited.
Bryn Haworth (Epsom, Surrey, England, UK)

INTRODUCTION BY FRANK IFIELD
I am fortunate to have known the author of this book for many years. The title of my old hit ‘I Remember You’ applies to Paul Davis. Paul is not only a good friend but also a fine, sympathetic and intelligent writer who has written on a wide variety of topics. Nevertheless, it came as no surprise that he was writing on the wonderful subject of the fascinating stories behind some of our timeless favourite hymns.
After pausing to think on the subject, I realised how much influence the humble hymn has had upon all forms of music, from the great classics to Country and from Gospel to Jazz.
I feel that hymns are best employed when they lift our souls in praise. What finer expression is there for the human voice than the stirring strains of ‘What A Friend We Have In Jesus’ by a Welsh choir drifting up from the valleys; or ‘Gloria In Excelsius Deo’ coming from the cloisters of the Westminster Cathedral; or the excitement of ‘O Happy Day’ from a swaying black-gospel group. Another beautiful example of this is the emotionally charged sound of the solo boy-soprano.
Praise goes to Him; and to ‘the hymn’ - for through it we express our very being.
Frank Ifield (Australia)

INTRODUCTION BY BILLY WALKER
The Old Hymns will forever remain…
For the most part many of the older hymns were inspired from a great place of pain, loss and suffering. A place where only God’s love, mercy and grace, could reach the depths of a hurting soul. The old hymns will always take you back to the cross of Christ and what the cross represents. They are anointed and the anointing is timeless. When the old hymns are sung a transfer of God’s anointing takes place and the captives are set free, broken hearts are healed, and peace comes to troubled minds. ‘Oh the Blood of Jesus’, ‘Amazing Grace’ and so many others will long last throughout time as the anointing of God is ageless.
The choruses of today (while they may be uplifting, and joy comes when we uplift the Lord) still do not in my opinion measure up to hymns that touched my heart in my youth. The songs of today seem to touch the hearts of our youth and I hope they will have an everlasting effect on their lives as the old hymns did on mine.
‘Songs of Redemption’ capture the beauty and the anointing of past glory that God gives his people to sustain them in their lives. May the Lord be praised forever!
I honour and praise God for my longtime relationship with Hazel and Paul Davis. Paul has proven his friendship to me-and-others with honesty and integrity, and with ardent love for our Lord. His wife Hazel is a wonderful cook and treated me royally in their home. I'm blessed to call them my friends.
Billy Walker (Nashville, Tennessee, USA)



FOREWORD BY CLINT MILLER
I have just read Dr. Paul Davis’ new book in one sitting and to say the least my heart was greatly stirred. What a thrill it was to read the stories behind my all time favourite songs. I have been a long time friend of Paul Davis and have for years enjoyed and admired his testimony and his talent. In reading Dr. Davis’ new book I found it literally impossible to put down. More than anything, I enjoyed the tremendous way Dr. Davis connected the scripture, the writer and the lyric. It was as though I could feel the heart of the songwriter and his spiritual experience at the time of the writing.
‘Songs of Redemption Stories’ is a blessing to me as a writer, as a singer, as a musician and most of all a Christian. I enjoyed so much the bathing of scriptural references throughout. The devotional preface to each song was also a blessing. These are songs that I grew up with and I believe with my whole heart they are Spirit-filled and anointed. They are songs that bring revival to the soul. In these modern times many of our anointed songs are being used less-and-less just like my favourite Bible, the KJV.
Some of you perhaps are aware that I too am a songwriter and singer as well as a pastor. The songs here in Dr. Paul Davis’ new book are all songs that we still sing in our church today. I can personally testify that they are songs of revival! From ‘Heaven Came Down’ to ‘What A Friend We Have In Jesus’, this book and the stories behind the songs and the writer will be a huge blessing to you.
I highly recommend this book! It will stir your heart and lift your spirit. It is a Spirit-filled book sewn together with love and sound doctrine. Congratulations to the author as well as the reader.
Dr. Clint Miller (Escondido, California)



ALPHABETICAL HYMN INDEX
1. At Calvary
2. He Lives!
3. Heaven Came Down
4. I Know Whom I Have Believed
5. I Stand Amazed (How Marvelous, How Wonderful)
6. In My Heart There Rings A Melody
7. Never Thirst Again
8. O Happy Day That Fixed My Choice
9. Power In The Blood
10. Send The Fire
11. Standing On The Promises
12. Showers Of Blessing
13. What A Friend
14. When Peace Like A River (It Is Well With My Soul)
15. When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder

ALPHABETICAL ‘FIRST LINE OF HYMN’ INDEX
I Have A Song That Jesus Gave Me (In My Heart There Rings A Melody) 6
I Know Whom I Have Believed (But I Know Whom I Have Believed) 4
I Serve A Risen Saviour (He Lives!) 2
I Stand Amazed In The Presence (How Marvellous, How Wonderful) 5
O Happy Day That Fixed My Choice (Happy Day, Happy Day) 8
O What A Wonderful, Wonderful Day (Heaven Came Down) 3
Standing On The Promises
(Standing, Standing, Standing On The Promises) 11
There Is A Land Of Pure Delight (What Never Thirst Again?) 7
There Shall Be Showers Of Blessing (Showers Of Blessing) 12
Thou Christ Of Burning, Cleansing Flame (Send The Fire) 10
What A Friend We Have In Jesus 13
When Peace Like A River (It Is Well With My Soul) 14
When The Trumpet Of The Lord Shall Sound
(When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder) 15
Would You Be Free From Your Burden Of Sin?
(There Is Power, Power) 9
Years I Spent In Vanity (Mercy There Was Great) 1

ALPHABETICAL ‘FIRST LINE OF REFRAIN’ INDEX
But I Know Whom I Have Believed 4
Happy Day, Happy Day 8
He Lives! 2
Heaven Came Down 3
How Marvellous, How Wonderful 5
In My Heart There Rings A Melody 6
It Is Well With My Soul 14
Mercy There Was Great 1
Showers Of Blessing 12
Standing, Standing, Standing On The Promises11
There Is Power, Power 9
We’re Feeding On The Living Bread 7
What Never Thirst Again? 7
When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder 15