On Jordan's Stormy Banks

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:13 KJV

This hymn was written by Samuel Stennett in 1787. It was at first titled "Heaven Anticipated." It was the last song that the Confederate Civil War Spy Sam Davis heard before he was executed in 1863.

Davis was part of a group called Coleman's Spies. Davis was so good that one evening he shared a table with Northern General William Rosecrans listening to Yankee battle plans.

However, in November of 1863 he was caught with maps and papers that exposed him as a spy and thrown into jail. He was offered to be spared his life if he would reveal the identity of Coleman. He refused. Later it was Private C. B. Van Pelt who read to him the copy of his death sentence. Part of it was a reprieve if he would tell them where Coleman was. He told Private Van Pelt "I will die a thousand deaths rather than betray my friends." They were both moved to tears and then both were silent.

What no one knew at the time was Coleman was really Dr. H. B. Shaw. Dr. Shaw was being held in another jail cell nearby at the same time. Later he was released.

Before he was executed Davis wrote to his mother. "How painful it is to write to you. I have got to die tomorrow morning-to be hanged by the Federals. Mother, do not grieve for me. I must bid you good-by forevermore."

The Chaplin spent the day before his execution praying with Sam. That night in worship service Davis asked if they would sing "On Jordan's Stormy Banks." The Chaplin said he would never forget Davis' voice as he sang "I am bound for the Promised Land; I am bound for the Promised Land."

A monument is erected to Sam Davis on the grounds of the Tennessee State Capitol. Below it are the words "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13