Waterson Carthy: Will There Be Any Stars In My Crown?

Here’s a wonderful a cappella version of the classic hymn “Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown?” The blending of the five voices of Waterson Carthy almost has an Appalachian feel to it. This is a perfect illustration the that the sounds and songs of America are not that far from their forebears from the British Isles.

Three-fifths of the lineup of this English traditional quintet are related; Martin Carthy and Norma Waterson are husband and wife and are joined by their daughter Eliza Carthy, who normally plays fiddle. The additional two members are Tim Van Eyken and Saul Rose, who are often seen playing the melodeon (a pump reed-organ similar to a harmonium).

The song was written in 1897 by Eliza E. Hewitt and John R. Sweeny. The song reminds me of an old joke that speaks of the competition between churches. In this one large town three churches located on different corners of the same intersection didn't get along. One Sunday each of them opened their meeting with a rousing song service. It was a warm day and all the doors and windows of each church building were wide open. One congregation began singing the old hymn, "Will There Be Any Stars in My Crown?" The strains had barely faded away when the congregation across the street started singing, "No, Not One, No, Not One!" They had scarcely finished when the third church began singing, "Oh, That Will Be Glory for Me."

Lyrics

I am thinking today of that beautiful land
I shall reach when the sun goeth down;
When through wonderful grace by my Savior I stand,
Will there be any stars in my crown?

Refrain
Will there be any stars, any stars in my crown
When at evening the sun goeth down?
When I wake with the blest in the mansions of rest
Will there be any stars in my crown?

In the strength of the Lord let me labor and pray,
Let me watch as a winner of souls,
That bright stars may be mine in the glorious day,
When His praise like the sea billow rolls.

Refrain
Will there be any stars, any stars in my crown
When at evening the sun goeth down?
When I wake with the blest in the mansions of rest
Will there be any stars in my crown?

O what joy it will be when His face I behold,
Living gems at his feet to lay down!
It would sweeten my bliss in the city of gold,
Should there be any stars in my crown.

Refrain
Will there be any stars, any stars in my crown
When at evening the sun goeth down?
When I wake with the blest in the mansions of rest
Will there be any stars in my crown?

Will there be any stars, any stars in my crown
When at evening the sun goeth down?
When I wake with the blest in the mansions of rest
Will there be any stars in my crown?