Wednesday, January 17, 2024

“prayer for love,” j. jefferson cleveland

The parish choir

"Prayer for Love," text by C. Eric Lincoln, music by J. Jefferson Cleveland. Featuring The Parish Choir. We select and share this piece for its text, particularly timely at this time of year as we celebrate the life and legacy of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This arrangement of Cleveland's hymn comes from a collection of African American religious music entitled "Songs of Zion." The following is excerpted from his biography on Hymnary.org:

“Judge Jefferson Cleveland (1937-1986) was one of the most important scholars and editors of African-American congregational song of the 20th century. Along with Verogla Nix, he edited what is arguably the most groundbreaking collection of African-American song in the last half of the 20th century, Songs of Zion (1981/1982).

“Lutheran hymnologist Marilyn Stulken provides a biographical sketch of Cleveland’s life and accomplishments. Born in Georgia, Cleveland graduated from Clark College (Atlanta), Illinois Wesleyan University and received his doctorate in education from Boston University.

“He served on the faculty of three historically black Christian colleges: Claflin College (South Carolina), Langston University (Oklahoma), and Jarvis Christian College (Texas), before teaching at the University of Massachusetts and Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C.

“Cleveland’s musical arrangements, historical research and scholarship on the performance practice of African-American song have proven invaluable for the advancement of black gospel song, not only among African Americans, but also in Anglo hymnals to the present day. For example, Cleveland’s essay, “A Historical Account of the Hymn in the Black Worship Experience,” in Songs of Zion is a helpful introduction for laypersons and scholars alike.

“In addition to serving as a hymnody consultant for the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship, he toured the United States and Africa in 1981 and Europe in 1984 as a teacher, lecturer and performer.”

Featured Offertory Anthem at the 10:00am Rite II service of Holy Eucharist on January 14, 2024.

*Source: https://hymnary.org/person/Cleveland_JJ (accessed 1/16/24)