Scripture in Song: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 08:25, 4 January 2024

Revision as of 08:29, 4 January 2024

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{{Short description|Former Recording Company}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

'''Scripture in Song Recordings Limited''' was the name of a recording company registered in 1973 by married couple [[Dave and Dale Garratt]] of [[Auckland]], New Zealand,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=SCRIPTURE IN SONG RECORDINGS LIMITED {{!}} New Zealand Business Directory |url=https://www.nzwao.com/companies/scripture-in-song-recordings-limited/ |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=www.nzwao.com}}</ref> with the aim of better incorporating [[TheBiblical Biblecanon|Biblical scripture]] into [[contemporary worship music]]. The '''Scripture in Song''' brand was originally set upcreated by the Garratts in 1968 when they released their first album of the same name.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Dale Garratt and husband David: A match made in heaven |url=https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2023/12/30/dale-garratt-and-husband-david-a-match-made-in-heaven/ |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=Te Ao Māori News |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2024-01-04 |title=Steve Braunias meets the biggest-selling artists you’ve never heard of |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/the-ogs-of-christian-music/APQPSLZW2VETHKT5I7GLPE5O64/ |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=NZ Herald |language=en-NZ}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Our Story |url=https://www.scriptureinsong.org/our-story |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=Scripture In Song |language=en-US}}</ref>

The Garratts produced a series of Scripture in Song albums and songbooks of [[Bible]] verses set to soft rock, and became leading musicians and songwriters internationally in the [[Charismatic movement]] in the 1970s and 80s. Over 30 years they produced 37 Scripture in Song records, sold millions of songbooks, and are credited for creating an "entire genre of contemporary Christian music".<ref name=":2" />

The 1972 double album ''Prepare Ye The Way'' was their biggest success, with 88,000 copies sold in New Zealand and becoming significant in the United States and globally.<ref name=":2" />

In 1974, the Garratts held outdoor meetings in [[Palmerston North]] and [[Tauranga]]. About 3,000 people at each meeting were led by the Garretts in singing worship songs, which were recorded live and released as the Scripture in Song album ''Praise the name of Jesus: A live expression of worship''.<ref>{{Cite web |title='His name is higher', with David and Dale Garratt |url=https://teara.govt.nz/mi/music/29779/his-name-is-higher-with-david-and-dale-garratt |url-status=live |access-date=4 January 2024 |website=Te Ara, The Encyclopedia of New Zealand}}</ref> The album reached number one on the gospel charts in the United Kingdom.<ref name=":2" /> Christian songwriter Stephen Bell-Booth who played piano on the Albumalbum said "David and Dale were revolutionary. They started a movement; it was a worldwide phenomenon, led by the Garratts from their base in Auckland. They were absolute pioneers."

When asked about being pioneers of a new style of worship music around the world, David gave credit to the [[Holy Spirit in Christianity|Holy Spirit]] rather than his own ability: "It was interesting that the Holy Spirit did begin something that spread a long way. I’m not saying that it spread because of us at all, but it actually did begin something in New Zealand and God really did something with us as non-musicians that was somewhat unique because we just felt, right back at that stage, that He was wanting songs that are sung to Him and He was wanting us to encourage His people to worship and to learn His Word."<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wilson |first1=Brett |title=Let’s Back Up a Bit: Conversations With Pioneering Kiwi Christian Musicians |date=2020 |publisher=Castle Publishing Ltd |___location=Auckland |isbn=978-0-473-53464-6 |pages=102-103}}</ref>