In Three Colts Lane in an old wool-shed
Glory, Hallelujah!
We frighten the living and raise the dead,
Sing Glory, Hallelujah,
Shout Glory, Hallelujah!
And while the rats were running round,
The boys and girls Salvation found.
William Booth began the work of his Christian Mission in the poorest slums of London in 1865. He had determined to preach the Gospel to the masses of people who were not members of any church. The beginning was hard. Rough crowds gathered along the streets, shouting, yelling, pelting Booth and his followers with stones, mud or old vegetables. Many times the ‘Salvationists’ were forced to don clean uniforms before taking their places in their meeting.
But Booth and his workers were brave and persistent. They soon realized that singing, even when occasionally aided by a cornet, tambourine or drums, was not suitable music to lead their crusade. In England in that period, brass bands were at the peak of their popularity. Fortunately, just at that time—1878—the Fry family, a group of successful instrumentalists were converted to Booth’s cause. They offered the services of their brass quartette, and soon a brass band became a necessary part of the Salvation Army.
It was a wise choice. Trumpet tones and drum beats could silence an unruly mob, and also carry the hymn tunes far and wide over the crowd. Not only could a band play effectively in the open air, but the players were able to carry the instruments and march as they produced the music.