History of the Hymn
In The Garden
C. Austin Miles
C. Austin Miles (1868-1946) was a pharmacist turned hymn writer and church music director. He was also an
amateur photographer. One day in March, 1912, while in his dark room waiting for film to develop, Miles had a
profound spiritual experience in which he saw an incredible vision of Mary Magdalene visiting the empty tomb.
He saw her leave the tomb and walk into a garden where she met the Master and heard Him speak her name.
When Miles came to himself his nerves were vibrating and his muscles tense; the words to a new song were
filling his mind and heart. He quickly wrote out the lyrics to In The Garden and later that evening composed the
musical score. The song was published that same year and became a theme song of the Billy Sunday evangelistic
crusades.
In The Garden was recorded on an album by Perry Como in 1950, was sung in the closing scene of the 1984 film
Places in the Heart and continues to be a favorite of hymn lovers who treasure that quiet ‘garden time’ with their
Savior.
In The Garden
I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear falling on my ear,
The Son of God discloses . . .
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever, known!
He speaks and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that he gave to me,
Within my heart is ringing . . .
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own,
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever, known!
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other, has ever, known!
“Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I
will get him.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means
Teacher)” (John 20:15-16 NIV)
September Edition
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