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Scripture in Song

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Scripture in Song is a recording and publishing brand that was created in 1968 by married couple Dave and Dale Garratt of Auckland, New Zealand, when they released their first album of the same name. Aiming to better incorporating Biblical scripture into contemporary worship music, the Garratts went on to produce a series of 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. For over 50 years, they have produced 37 Scripture in Song records, sold millions of songbooks, and are credited for creating an "entire genre of contemporary Christian music".[1][2][3]

History

After releasing the 1968 Scripture in Song EP album, a children's song book and album, and their first full-length LP record, in 1972, Scripture in Song released their double album Prepare Ye The Way. It the brand's biggest hit, selling hundreds of thousands of albums globally, including 88,000 copies sold in New Zealand, certifying it platinum.[2][3]

The Garratts registered their recording company, Scripture in Song Recordings Limited, in 1973.[4]

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 in the Outdoors).[5] The album reached number one on the gospel charts in the United Kingdom.[2] 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.[2][7]

In 1993, Scripture in Song celebrated 25 years with the four-day Oct One event at the ASB Arena in Auckland, including guests Kevin Prosch, Steve Grace and Geoff Bullock.[3]

The Garretts 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.[8]

The Garratts sold the Scripture in Song music catalogue to a US publisher. From 1998 to 2005, they lost most of the money from the sale, and one of their two children, Rachel, died of cancer at age 31. In 2002, their company, Scripture in Song Recordings Limited, was removed by the New Zealand Companies Office.[2][4]

In 2018 the Garratts celebrated 50 years of the Scripture in Song brand. In 2019 they released I Exalt Thee, an album of re-recorded and produced songs from the previous 50 years.[3]

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.[9][2] 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.[1]

Discography

Albums produced by Scripture in Song include:[10][3][11]

  • Scripture in Song, EP (1968)
  • The Bible Tells Me So, Single (1970)
  • Thou Art Worthy (1970)
  • Prepare Ye The Way (Parts 1&2) (1972)
  • Love, Joy, Peace (1973)
  • Praise the Name of Jesus (A Live Expression of Worship in the Outdoors) (1974)
  • All Thy Works Shall Praise Thee (Volumes 1&2) (1977)
  • Father Make Us One (1978)
  • Strings of Praise (1979)
  • Songs of the Kingdom (1981)
  • Call To War (1981)
  • A Sound of Joy (1983)
  • First Love (1987)
  • All Heaven Declares (1991)
  • Combat (1991)
  • Living Power ... Keep On Praying (1993)
  • 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)
  • New Sound (Vibrant Sounds of Multicultural Worship) (1995)
  • Coming Home (2007)
  • I Exalt Thee (2019)
  • We Will Prevail (Ōtautahi), Single (2020)
  • Songs of Blessing (2021)

Bibliography

  • The Bible Tells Me So, songbook (1970)
  • Songs of Praise, songbook (1979)
  • Songs of the Kingdom, songbook (1981)
  • Songs of the Nations, songbook (1988)
  • The Young Discoverers, songbook (1993)

References

  1. ^ a b "Dale Garratt and husband David: A match made in heaven". Te Ao Māori News. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Steve Braunias meets the biggest-selling artists you've never heard of". NZ Herald. 2024-01-04. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Our Story". Scripture In Song. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
  4. ^ a b "SCRIPTURE IN SONG RECORDINGS LIMITED | New Zealand Business Directory". www.nzwao.com. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
  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 2024-01-04.
  8. ^ "Wayback Machine". web.archive.org. 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
  9. ^ "New Year Honours 2024: Full list". NZ Herald. 2024-01-04. Retrieved 2024-01-04.
  10. ^ Cross Rhythms: Scripture in Song Artist Profile
  11. ^ Scripture In Song, Spotify Discography, 4 January 2024.
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