Billy Graham’s funeral served as a beautiful reminder of the life mission and ministry of this humble man, who gave all the honor and glory to God.
The first song performed at his funeral, “Until Then,” is a beautiful, but lesser known song reminding us to joyful carry on in God’s work until we “behold that Golden City”.
While this was a new song to many, this was not a new song to me. I accompanied Daddy many times over the years as he performed this beautiful song. I’ve continued to sing the song, since his home going. What did surprise me was how many people researched the song and landed on my website where I share hymn histories each Sunday. Amazingly, while Billy Graham was inspired by the lyrics in the song, “Until Then,” the songwriter was brought to his knees and a relationship with God through a Billy Graham crusade.
“Until Then” is one of the songs that can climb into my head and remain for days. I can’t help but sing the lyrics when they are placed on my heart. “Until Then,” also sometimes referred to as “My Heart Can Sing When I Pause to Remember,” was written by Carl Stuart Hamblen.
Stuart Hamblen was born on October 20th, 1908 in Kellyville, Texas. He was the son of a traveling Methodist minister. His career began in 1926, when he became the first singing cowboy on the radio in Fort Worth and Dallas Texas radio stations.
By 1931, he was on the radio from Hollywood, CA as “Cowboy Joe.” For the next 21 years, he would have three radio shows that stayed at the top of the charts. They were “Covered Wagon Jubilee”; “Stuart Hamblen and His Lucky Stars,” and the “Cowboy Church of the Air.” He wrote numerous western songs for the radio during this time.
Hamblen also began to star in motion pictures alongside more well-known names such as Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, and John Wayne. In 1933, he married Veeva Ellen Daniels, whom he would nickname “My Suzy.” Hamblen became the first artist signed to Decca records in 1934.
He made history in 1945, when he became the first man to fly his racing horse, El Lobo, for a race. The horse won, and he flew him back home. In 1949, he met evangelist Billy Graham and encouraged his listeners to attend the Billy Graham Crusades that were being held in the area.
He promised to be there, and his wife Suzy kept him to his word. During this time God began to knock on the door of his heart and while he tried to run away, eventually he surrendered his life to God.
In the early 1950s, Hamblen’s radio show was in national syndication when his sponsors tried to force him to allow his commercial spots to promote alcoholic products. Hamblen refused, and his show was canceled, but not before Hamblen had the opportunity to tell his listeners why he was leaving the airways.
Always one for an adventure, he ran for President of the United States in 1952. He ran on the Prohibition Party and came in 4th to Dwight Eisenhower.
Stuart and his wife Suzy lived on their ranch in Santa Clarita, CA. There they raised both of their daughters, Veeva and Lisa Obee, and watched the expansion of their family with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. On the ranch he bred Peruvian Paso Horses. His horse, AEV Oro Negro+, was a U.S. National Champion of Champions three times.
Hamblen died on March 8, 1989. He and Suzy were married for fifty-five years. She would die on June 2, 2008 at the age of 101.
“Until Then” was originally published by Hamblen’s publishing company in 1958. Hamblen wrote other hits such as “It is no secret what God can do,” “Teach Me, Lord, to Wait,” and “Beyond the Sunset”. He has been inducted into numerous Halls of Fame, including the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Western Music Hall of Fame, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “Until Then” has been published in at least four hymnals and various other songbooks and remains a song that reminds us of how glorious it will one day be to “behold that city when God calls us home.”
When we arrive in that glorious city, we will behold our Savior and Lord and we will find a rock on the edge of a stream to sit and share with Billy {as he preferred to be called} all the ways in which he ministered to our hearts and drew us closer to God.
Billy Graham shared how he looked forward to arriving in heaven. Billy is quoted as saying, “My home is in heaven. I’m just traveling through this world,” and “Someday you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it; I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.”
His children often shared in the last few years of his life that he shared more and more often with them how he longed to go to heaven and join his beloved wife, Ruth. But, “Until Then” we should learn from the life of Billy Graham that “with joy I will carry on.”
After all, the Apostle Paul reminded us “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” {Romans 15:13}
As we pause to remember the life and legacy of Billy Graham, do you carry on with joy and a heart that is singing for the kingdom of God?
Diana Leagh Matthews writes, speaks and sings to bring glory to God. She has been published in numerous anthologies, including many Moments books. In her day job, Leagh is a Nationally Certified Activities Director for a busy nursing facility.
She takes great joy in family, friends and soaking in the beautiful wonders and promises of God. Leagh blogs about her faith and struggles on her website www.DianaLeaghMatthews.com and family history at www.ALookThruTime.com
Images courtesy of Diana Leagh Matthews, Christian Headlines, and YouTube
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