By Glenn Dromgoole

Senior citizens who enjoy singing some of the great old gospel hymns gather at 10 o’clock every Tuesday morning at the Rose Park Senior Citizens Center for an hour of robust singing.

They’ve been getting together for at least 15 years, maybe more.  Retired Abilene school teachers Bo and Dana Whitaker are the coordinators, Denise Hicks plays the piano, with Marilyn Pena accompanying on violin.

Bo Whitaker puts together a song list every week, using the “Heavenly Highway Hymns” songbook and a supplemental packet with a few other popular hymns. Usually about 30 to 40 people show up, from various religious backgrounds. Two things they have in common: they’re senior adults, and they love to sing.

I just learned about the group a couple of months ago, and it sounded like something I would enjoy. I love to sing hymns, particularly the ones I grew up with on Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night as a boy in my dad’s Baptist church. I’ve since learned to appreciate some of the more majestic hymns as well, but I still like the ones that I know the bass parts to by heart. 

My friend Joe Alcorta told me about the group and invited me to join him there. The first time I went was on Dec. 31, and I haven’t missed a Tuesday since. 

We probably sing 20 or more songs in the hour we’re together. First and last verses of most of them unless Bo Whitaker tells us otherwise. That way we can cover a lot more songs. The session starts right on the dot at 10 a.m. and concludes promptly at 11. By then we’re pretty much sung out anyway!

Not all the gospel songs are familiar to me. Some are Stamps Baxter Pentecostal selections that weren’t in the old Broadman Hymnal I grew up with. Every week there are probably six or eight like “Mansion Over the Hilltop,” “On the Jericho Road,” or “A Beautiful Life.” But the rest are songs I’ve been singing all my life.

Just to name a few: “Revive Us Again.” “Higher Ground.” “Heavenly Sunlight.” “Love Lifted Me.” “Standing on the Promises.” “When We All Get to Heaven.” “When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder.” “There Is Power in the Blood.” “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.” “Whispering Hope.” 

A lot of churches still sing those old hymns, I’m sure. But not for a whole hour! 

The group meets in Classroom C of the Rose Park Senior Center. Use the west entrance. Dana Whitaker will greet you and make you feel welcome. If you get there a few minutes early, you can look over the hymnal and ask Bo Whitaker to add one of your favorites to his list for the day.

Glenn Dromgoole’s newest book is A Few Words of Encouragement. He and his wife Carol own Texas Star Trading Company in downtown Abilene.