A Stolen Song!!!!! - Page 4

Newman · #31 03-15-2008, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

To shine a little more light on the time line of Don Johnson's writing of the song:

In 1973 (3 years before I was born) my oldest sister and her husband were holding a revival at the Blue Mountain's Children's home (Bro. Pipkin's church), and my brother, Robbie, went with them. He went swimming with a boy from the orphanage at a lake there (I don't know which one), and my brother drowned.

When Bro. Johnson found out, he called my Dad and said he had recently (or "just") written a song he wanted to sing to him, and then he sang "I Can't Complain" over the phone.

So he had written it at least by August of 1973.

My mother said that he told my Dad he wrote it on the back of a paper bag.

Abigail- Your sister and her husband ministered at my church and attended some of the same campmeetings. I knew your brother (as dozens of young ladies did too). If memory serves me right, he used to play the guitar with your sister and her husband. He was someone that all the girls were swooning over. When we found out about his death it was a very sad, sad day. We cried buckets of tears and our hearts ached.

How beautiful to know the rest of the story. That you came along as a gift from God. Wow....

Newman · #32 03-15-2008, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pianoman

It's kind of ironic that this song is considered a traditional black gospel anthem among black churches, but it was actually written as a country gospel song by a white man!

Bro. Johnson regularly preached at my church in the 70's and sang that song. He told us it had been inspired by a husband who had just lost his home in a fire or lost his family (it's been a long time!) and nevertheless was praising God.

MissBrattified · #33 03-15-2008, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newman

Abigail- Your sister and her husband ministered at my church and attended some of the same campmeetings. I knew your brother (as dozens of young ladies did too). If memory serves me right, he used to play the guitar with your sister and her husband. He was someone that all the girls were swooning over. When we found out about his death it was a very sad, sad day. We cried buckets of tears and our hearts ached.

How beautiful to know the rest of the story. That you came along as a gift from God. Wow....

Yes, he did play guitar.

It was a terrible loss for my family. Even though I didn't know him, I've felt their pain for years, every time the stories were shared.

It's so cool that you knew him! I'll have to read this post to my Mom!

Barb · #34 03-15-2008, 09:49 AM

Thank you, Abi and Newman...such touching posts today...

MissBrattified · #35 03-15-2008, 09:58 AM

You know, it really is aggravating that Bro. Johnson isn't being credited with that song. I should write a letter to Oprah....

MissBrattified · #36 03-15-2008, 10:03 AM

Off-topic tangent:

Something funny, Newman...lots of people know my oldest sister and her husband, but not that many people know me--or even know I exist!

The first year I went to IBC MusicFest, I would talk to people and introduce myself, and it would be, "Hi, nice to meet you" (and then move right along), but then when they would see my sister they would go into the ultra-animated version of themselves and talk for days. Being the spoiled youngest child, the lack of attention miffed me quite a bit.

So, I had enough of being ignored, and I started introducing myself as "C----- S--------'s" sister. I got a much better response after that. LOL!

GodsBabyGirl · #37 03-15-2008, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A_PoMo

I'm just glad to hear Johnny Legend singing about God on the Oprah show. That's a good day for the kingdom.

I remember that song too.

Loretta Earl! I remember her!

Yeah, John Legend can blow! Er, I mean sing...LOL!

CC1 · #38 03-15-2008, 11:20 AM

Brattwoman,

I am sorry to hear about your family losing your brother. As parents we know that losing one of our children is probably our biggest fear. I can't begin to imagine what your mom and dad and older siblings went through. I am glad they had the Lord to help them.

rgcraig · #39 03-15-2008, 11:22 AM

I've enjoyed this thread!

Thanks MissB for sharing your story!

MissBrattified · #40 03-15-2008, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC1

Brattwoman,

I am sorry to hear about your family losing your brother. As parents we know that losing one of our children is probably our biggest fear. I can't begin to imagine what your mom and dad and older siblings went through. I am glad they had the Lord to help them.

Thanks, CC1. I know, as my own children get older, the full impact of what they went through really hits home.