The Composition

They Led My Lord Away is credited to Adoniram Gordon, but it may be that he collected and harmonized the song from the African-American spiritual tradition. Gordon was an active Baptist minister at a time of spiritual revival in the United States and music that inspired emotion was important to the revival music. The call and response form of the song suggests an African American influence. The hymn was published at a time that newly freed slaves were disseminating their musical traditions across the United States and into Europe.

The Composer

Adoniram Judson Gordon was born April 19, 1836, in New Hampton, New Hampshire, to devout Christian parents. Named after Adoniram Judson, a Baptist missionary to Burma, at 15 he had a conversion experience and was baptized in his father’s millstream. One year later he openly confessed in a church meeting his desire and determination to prepare for Christian ministry.

In 1856 he entered Brown University, where he met his future wife, Maria Hale. In 1860 he entered the Newton Theological Institution. Upon graduation in 1863, he accepted a call to become pastor of the Jamaica Plain Baptist Church near Boston. After six successful years there, he accepted the pastorate of the Clarendon Street Baptist Church in Boston, the church where his ministry would have its broadest impact.

Dr. Gordon remained pastor of Clarendon Street Church for more than a quarter of a century. His many books include In Christ, The Two-Fold Life, The Ministry of the Spirit, and How Christ Came to Church. The church became one of the most active churches in America, with an outstanding effort in missions.

A. J. Gordon traveled, preached, wrote, and served with the passion of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ worldwide. In 1889 he founded the Boston Missionary Training Institute, later to become Gordon College. He continued as minister of the Clarendon Street Church until his death, due to influenza and bronchitis, on the morning of February 2, 1895. “Victory” was his last clearly audible word.

The Arranger

Fred J. Allen is Director of Bands at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. In addition to his responsibilities with the band, he teaches conducting and music education classes. Prior to his current position, Allen taught at Abilene Christian University and for eleven years in public schools. His areas of specialization include literature for bands and intonation of the wind instruments. TRN has published pieces for band by Fred J. Allen which draw upon his experience As a public school teacher. He attempts to present opportunities for expressive playing within the range and rhythm constriction necessary for young instrumentalists. Allen is a member of College Band Directors National Association, Texas Music Educators Association, and Phi Beta Mu honorary bandmasters fraternity. 

The Performance

This recording was made at Large Group Performance Evaluation in March 2010.