Another classic chorus:
If you grew up going to Sunday School you must remember having sung "Only A Boy Named David". You certainly also enjoyed doing the motions, "and the sling went round and round, and round and round … and the giant came tumbling down!"
The song was written by Australian Salvation Army Officer Arthur Arnott (1870-1941) and first published in 1931. Arnott's father built one of the largest cookie companies in the world. Arnott biscuits (cookies) fill stores and pastries across Australia.
When he was only 21, Arthur managed a thriving factory for his father in Sydney. One day while walking through a nearby park, he heard a group of evangelists holding an open-air meeting. One of the organizers invited him to dinner and there explained the Gospel. Arthur received Christ as his Savior and immediately joined the Salvation Army which had sponsored the rally. He spent the remainder of his life winning others to Christ
Arthur specialized in children's work and his 'happy' songs that he wrote were sung all around the world. He told the children, 'It is impossible to sing and grumble at the same time. But it is quite natural to sing and pray and rejoice all at once." His visits to children's homes and his fundraising activities to build and support such establishments were to mark him out as an officer who clearly comprehended the eternal value of a child. Arnott and his wife retired to the Melbourne suburb of Thornbury where they supported the local corps. Even in retirement, Arthur was active in seeking souls for God's kingdom, often visiting local dance halls to give a brief message and an invitation.
Over the years many of us have been introduced to the life of David, a man after God's own heart, through this classic chorus. None of us are too old to sing it again this week … with the motions.
When he was only 21, Arthur managed a thriving factory for his father in Sydney. One day while walking through a nearby park, he heard a group of evangelists holding an open-air meeting. One of the organizers invited him to dinner and there explained the Gospel. Arthur received Christ as his Savior and immediately joined the Salvation Army which had sponsored the rally. He spent the remainder of his life winning others to Christ
Arthur specialized in children's work and his 'happy' songs that he wrote were sung all around the world. He told the children, 'It is impossible to sing and grumble at the same time. But it is quite natural to sing and pray and rejoice all at once." His visits to children's homes and his fundraising activities to build and support such establishments were to mark him out as an officer who clearly comprehended the eternal value of a child. Arnott and his wife retired to the Melbourne suburb of Thornbury where they supported the local corps. Even in retirement, Arthur was active in seeking souls for God's kingdom, often visiting local dance halls to give a brief message and an invitation.
Over the years many of us have been introduced to the life of David, a man after God's own heart, through this classic chorus. None of us are too old to sing it again this week … with the motions.
Only a boy named David,
only a little sling,
only a boy named David,
but he could pray and sing.
Only a boy named David,
only a rippling brook,
only a boy named David,
but five little stones he took.
And one little stone
went in the sling,
and the sling went
round and round.
And one little stone
went in the sling,
and the sling went
round and round,
and round and round
and round and round,
and round and round and round.
And one little stone
went up in the air,
and the giant came
tumbling down.
Listen to it here. GIANT
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