Ben Hester - A Southern Gospel Revival - 'In The Sweet By And By

“In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore;
In the sweet by and by,
We shall meet on that beautiful shore.”

Southern Gospel is a musical tradition that many who grew up in the South or have Southern relatives view with a warm nostalgia. This timeless music often associated with our grandparents’ generation told of hope, endurance, and deep faith. It is something that everyone could hold onto in the face of trials and worries. The roots of the music go back to a simpler time when believers would come together from miles apart for fellowship and a time of praise.

Ben Hester is known for his homey voice which lends perfectly to these folk-styled hymns. As a collaborator on the album “A Southern Gospel Revival”, Hester and his band sing “In The Sweet By and By”.

Taking their cues from an older style of musical performance, the team consists of an upright bass, simple percussion, harmonica, and guitars. Unique to this recording is that the songs were performed in one single take. This gives the music the same crisp feel recalled from the 1920-30s radio.

This classic gospel tune is an anthem of hope. What a blessing to sing promises for the future. It’s such a great comfort to renew our focus toward Heaven and being reunited with the Father.

“We shall sing on that beautiful shore,
The melodious songs of the blessed;
And our spirits shall sorrow no more,
Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.”