♫ Mansion Over The Hilltop ♫

Scripture:

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  John 14:2

 

Author: Ira Forest Stanpill

Born: February 14, 1914

Died: December 30, 1993

 

 

Hymn History:

Ira Stanpill was born on February 14, 1914 in Bellview, New Mexico to Andrew and Maggie Stanpill.  He and his family spent most of his younger years in Coffeyville, Kansas.  He was saved at the age of 12, and graduated high school in 1932.  He was called to preach soon after graduating from Chillicothe (Missouri) Junior College at the age of 22.

He had exceptional musical talent. He could play the accordion, ukulele, organ, and piano by the time he was ten years old. By the time he turned seventeen, he began writing songs and singing. He took part in tent campaigns, prayer meetings, and revival crusades. After completing his studies at the Chillicothe, Missouri, Junior College, he was awarded an honorary Ph.D. by Hyles-Anderson College in Indiana. He traveled across America and forty other countries, preaching and singing. This Side of Heaven, his autobiography, was published in 1983 after he was elected into the GMA Hall of Fame in 1981. Throughout his life, he penned more than 550 gospel tunes.  The independent film This Side of Heaven, based on Stanphill’s life, was produced in 1987 and was shot in and around the Dallas, Texas area.

♫ ♫ ♫

Ira Stanpill wrote the Southern Gospel song “Mansion Over the Hilltop” in 1949 after being inspired by a story told by a young Christian businessman at an evangelistic service in Dallas, Texas. The businessman told Stanphill how he was feeling despair after his business was declining, but then decided to drive out into the countryside and came across a dilapidated cottage. There, a young girl told him that her father was building a new mansion over the hilltop, and the businessman realized that God had better things in store for him.  The business man testified that those words pierced his heart.  He realized for the first time, that though his earthly business was failing, the heavenly father had greater things in store for him.  It was as if he heard God saying, “Son, don’t you know I have a mansion prepared for you just beyond those clouds?”

Ira Stanpill was so moved with the story, he went home pondering on what he had heard.  He rose early the next morning and wrote the song, “Manion Over the Hilltop.”

 

Lyrics:

I’m satisfied with just a cottage below

A little silver and a little gold

But in that city where the ransomed will shine

I want a gold one that’s silver lined

 

Chorus: I’ve got a mansion just over the hilltop

In that bright land where we’ll never grow old

And some day yonder we will never more wander

But walk on streets that are purest gold

 

Don’t think me poor or deserted or lonely

I’m not discouraged I’m heaven bound

I’m but a pilgrim in search of the city

I want a mansion, a harp and a crown

 

 You can listen to the hymn here:

 

References:

• https://hymnary.org/person/Stanphill_IF
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ira_Stanphill
• https://www.staugustine.com/story/lifestyle/faith/2015/07/09/story-behind-song-mansion-over-hilltop/16271086007/
• http://www.praisehymnfashions.com/blog/hymn-history-mansion-over-the-hilltop
• http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/s/t/a/n/stanphill_if.htm