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Scripture in Song

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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,[1] with the aim of better incorporating scripture into contemporary worship music. The Scripture in Song brand was originally set up by the Garratts in 1968 when they released their first album of the same name.[2][3][4]

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".[3]

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.[3]

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.[5] The album reached number one on the gospel charts in the United Kingdom.[3] Christian songwriter Stephen Bell-Booth who played piano on the Album 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 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."[6]

The Garretts toured the US and Europe for 10 months in 1982. In 1984, they awarded the International Dove Award by the Gospel Music Association for lifetime achievement.[3][7]

They went on to become leading figures in the global school of ethnodoxology, a discipline which helps indigenous cultures understand and express Christian doctrine in their own musical forms.[citation needed]

The Garratts sold the Scripture in Song music catalogue to a US publisher. In 2002, their company was removed by the New Zealand Companies Office. In 2018 the Garratts celebrated 50 years of the Scripture in Song brand.[3][1]

In the 2024 New Zealand New Year Honours, both Dale and David Garret were appointed Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to Christian music production. Dale Mary Adeline Garratt was raised in Auckland. David Reginald Garratt in Dunedin. They met at a Youth For Christ NZ concert in Wellington in 1962.[8][3] Dale Garratt (Ngāpuhi, Te Aupōuri) is recognised as one of the best-selling Māori composers, with thirteen Scripture in Song albums achieving gold or platinum status and their songbooks selling over three million copies.[2]

Albums

Albums produced in the Scripture in Song series include:[9][4]

  • Scripture in Song (1968)
  • Thou Art Worthy (1970)
  • Prepare Ye The Way (1972)
  • Praise The Name Of Jesus (1974)
  • All Thy Works Shall Praise Thee (1977)
  • Songs of the Kingdom (1981)
  • Call To War (1983)
  • Songs Of The Nations: All Heaven (1993)
  • Songs Of The Nations: We Will Triumph (1993)
  • Songs Of The Nations: Come With Praise (1993)
  • Songs Of The Nations: Celebrate (1993)
  • Scripture in Song – The Early Years 1968-1985 (1993)
  • I Exalt Thee (2019)

References

  1. ^ a b "SCRIPTURE IN SONG RECORDINGS LIMITED | New Zealand Business Directory". www.nzwao.com. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Dale Garratt and husband David: A match made in heaven". Te Ao Māori News. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g "Steve Braunias meets the biggest-selling artists you've never heard of". NZ Herald. 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Our Story". Scripture In Song. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  5. ^ "'His name is higher', with David and Dale Garratt". Te Ara, The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 4 January 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ Wilson, Brett (2020). Let’s Back Up a Bit: Conversations With Pioneering Kiwi Christian Musicians. Auckland: Castle Publishing Ltd. pp. 102–103. ISBN 978-0-473-53464-6.
  7. ^ "Special Awards". doveawards.com. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  8. ^ "New Year Honours 2024: Full list". NZ Herald. 4 January 2024. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  9. ^ Cross Rhythms: Scripture in Song Artist Profile
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