Sweeter as the Years Go By

"Sweeter as the Years Roll By"
Single by Blind Willie Johnson
B-side	Take Your Stand
Released	c. 1930
Format	10" 78rpm single
Recorded	December 10, 1929; New Orleans, LA
Genre	Gospel blues
Length	2:48
Label	Columbia 14624-D
Writer(s)	Lelia N. Morris
Blind Willie Johnson singles chronology
"Go with Me to That Land" / "Everybody Ought to Treat a Stranger Right" "Sweeter as the Years Roll By" / "Take Your Stand"

"Sweeter as the Years Go By" is a Christian hymn written by Lelia N. Morris in 1912.^[1] It has been included in 87 hymnals.^[2] Its subject-matter is expressed in the refrain:

Sweeter as the years go by,
Sweeter as the years go by,
Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus’ love is sweeter,
Sweeter as the years go by.

It has been recorded in various, mostly gospel, styles. In 1929, it was recorded by Blind Willie Johnson (vocals and guitar) in gospel blues style under the title "Sweeter as the Years Roll By" (even though he sings "Go" throughout).^[3]

Sweeter as the Years Go By is a 1990 compilation album of songs recorded by Blind Willie Johnson.^[4]

Recordings

This list of songs or music-related items is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

• 1926 – Homer Rodeheaver, 10" 78rpm single Columbia 1201-D ^[5]
• 1927 – William MacEwan, 10" 80rpm single Columbia 4576 ^[6] and (as William McEwan) 10" 78rpm single Columbia 2055-D ^[7]
• 1929 – Blind Willie Johnson, 10" 78rpm single Columbia 14624-D ^[8][9][10]
• 1976 – The Chuck Wagon Gang,^[11] on the album Looking Away to Heaven ^[12]
• 1993 – Dean McNichols,^[13] instrumental on the album Studio Organ ^[14]
• 1996 – Los Angeles Chapter of the GMWA,^[15] on the album Be Encouraged ^[16]
• 2005 – Peggy Brown,^[17] on the album Good News ^[18]

Other songs and albums

The following musical items have similar titles to the one which is the subject of this article, but are different from it and from each other:

• 1914 – "Sweeter as the Years Roll By", a hymn by C. Austin Miles with different words and music ^[19]
• 1939 – "You Grow Sweeter as the Years Go By", a jazz standard by Johnny Mercer
• 1998 – "Sweeter as the Years Go By",^[20][21] a song by Jesse Yawn on the album Forevermore ^[22]
• 1999 – "Sweeter as the Years Roll By",^[23] an accordion tune by James Keane on the album Sweeter as the Years Roll By ^[24]
• 2008 – Sweeter as the Years Roll By, a 2008 album by Heaven And ^[25]

References

1. "SWEETER AS THE YEARS GO BY". nethymnal.org. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
2. "Sweeter as the Years Go By". hymnary.org. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
3. Blakey, D. N. (August 8, 2007). "Chapter 21". Revelation: Blind Willie Johnson, The Biography. Lulu Enterprises. pp. 152–161. ISBN 978-1430328995. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
4. Wynn, Ron. Blind Willie Johnson – Sweeter as the Years Go By at AllMusic. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
5. "COLUMBIA (USA) 1000D to 1499D Numerical Listing". 78discography.com. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
6. Thompson, Mark (December 8, 2011). "Part Six: The story of William MacEwan / McEwan of Glasgow (1871 - 1943) the 'World's Sweetest Gospel Singer'". Retrieved September 8, 2015.
7. "COLUMBIA (USA) 2000D to 2499D Numerical Listing". 78discography.com. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
8. "COLUMBIA (USA) 14000D series Numerical Listing". 78discography.com. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
9. "Blind Willie Johnson discography". wirz.de. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
10. Blind Willie Johnson – Sweeter As the Years Roll By, Composed by Blind Willie Johnson / Traditional at AllMusic. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
11. Chuck Wagon Gang – Sweeter as the Years Go By at AllMusic. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
12. Wolfe, Charles S.. Chuck Wagon Gang – Looking Away to Heaven at AllMusic. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
13. Dean McNichols – Sweeter as the Years Go By at AllMusic. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
14. Dean McNichols – Studio Organ at AllMusic. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
15. Los Angeles Chapter of the G.M.W.A. – Sweeter as the Years Go By, Composed by Walter Hawkins at AllMusic. Retrieved September, 2015.
16. Los Angeles Chapter of the G.M.W.A. – Be Encouraged at AllMusic. Retrieved September, 2015.
17. Peggy Brown – Sweeter as the Years Go By at AllMusic. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
18. Peggy Brown – Good News at AllMusic. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
19. "Sweeter as the years roll by". hymnary.org. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
20. Jesse Yawn – Sweeter as the Years Go By, Composed by Jesse Yawn at AllMusic. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
21. Jesse Yawn – Sweeter as the Years Go By, Composed by Jesse Yawn at AllMusic. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
22. Jesse Yawn – Forevermore at AllMusic. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
23. James Keane – Sweeter as the Years Roll By, Composed by James Keane at AllMusic. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
24. Phares, Heather. James Keane – Sweeter as the Years Roll By at AllMusic. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
25. Raggett, Ned. Heaven And – Sweeter as the Years Roll By at AllMusic. Retrieved September 8, 2015.