Joyful Noise
By
Mark Garwood

When the British poet Samuel Stennett wrote the hymn “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand”, the original title was “Heaven Anticipated.” It was that anticipation that comforted a 21-year old spy as he faced execution during the Civil War.

Sam Davis was a student in Nashville when the war broke out. He joined the Confederate Army and earned an invitation to join Coleman’s Scouts, an elite group of spies. He was so good at the undercover work that he shared a table with General William Rosecrans at the St. Cloud Hotel in Nashville, and listened to a discussion of the Yankee battle plans.

In November of 1863, Davis was captured by the enemy and thrown into prison. His captors promised to spare his life if he would only reveal the identity of “Coleman.” He refused, and was sentenced to death. He said, “I will die a thousand deaths rather than betray my friend.” (Unknown to the Yankee soldiers, “Coleman” was actually Dr. H.B. Shaw, who was being held at the time in an adjacent cell, and was later released.)

On the eve of his execution, Davis wrote to his wrote to his mother, saying: “Oh, how painful it is to write to you! I have got to die tomorrow morning—to be hanged by the Federals. Mother, do not grieve for me. I must bid you goodbye forevermore.”

The chaplain spent the day before the hanging praying with Davis. That night, in a small worship service, he asked if they could sing “On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand.” The chaplain said he would never forget the young soldier’s animated voice as he sang “I am bound for the Promised Land.”

Today, there is a monument honoring Sam Davis on the grounds of the Tennessee State Capitol. Underneath are the words: “Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:13)”

“On Jordan’s Stormy Banks I Stand”
Words by Samuel Stennett (1787)

On Jordan’s stormy banks I stand,
And cast a wishful eye
To Canaan’s fair and happy land
Where my possessions lie.

Chorus
I am bound for the promised land,
I am bound for the promised land;
Oh, who will come and go with me?
I am bound for the promised land.

O’er all those wide extended plains
Shines one external day;
There God the Son forever reigns,
And scatters night away.

No chilling winds or poisonous breath
Can reach that healthful shore;
Sickness and sorrow, pain and death
Are felt and feared no more.

When I shall reach that happy place
I’ll be forever blest,
For I shall see my Father’s face,
And in his bosom rest.