How Rossman Peetook woke up early and composed a great piece of Gospel music
Sunday, March 31, 2013 at 11:25PM ;)
Two years ago, Rossman Peetook woke up at 4:30 AM and wondered, "How can I praise my Lord today?" He began to sing and on the spot composed a lively hymn with a strong beat. "Jesus rose from the dead, He arose, He arose, Jesus rose from the dead..."
He told the story early this morning to small group of his fellow parishioners who had gathered at the Presbyterian church for breakfast and coffee following sunrise Easter services at the cemetery.
Sadly for me, I just missed the sunrise service because I woke up three minutes before it started and it probably took me 20 minutes total to pop out of bed, get dressed, don a heavy coat and walk full speed to the graveyard. Those who did make it on time described it as wonderful, but even wonderful Sunrise services held in subzero weather tend to be brief. By the time I arrived, the eight who had made it had moved into the Presbyterian Church for breakfast and coffee.
I joined them, in time to hear Rossman tell his story and to listen to him sing his song. At one point, he stopped singing and stomped his foot three times. That, he later explained, represented the earthquake that followed the crucifixion of Christ and the failure of death to hang onto Christ after the third day.
It is an excellent song - lively, full of spirit. Sooner or later, I expect the larger world of gospel singing to pick up on it and then maybe everybody will get to hear it. Rossman taught the song to all those gathered. Later, at 11:00, they sang it for the larger congregation gathered for the second of the three Presbyterian services held in Wainwright this day.
Even though I cannot sing, the eight insisted I come up, join them, so I did.
Rossman, a retired whaling captain, is also well-known for the Iñupiat drum dance songs he has composed and the traditional motion dances he has created.
Reader Comments (4)
I remember him, and I remember the wonderful Barrow drummers and singers and dancers. The most impressive highschool graduation I ever went to was at Barrow High School back in the 1980's. They are the most sincere people I've known anywhere in the world.
I wish that I could have heard this with my own ears. You need a video camera, friend!
Thanks for sharing this, Bill. I wish I had made a video recording of the song, too. This article helps hold up the memory. Again, Thanks.
Rev. Curt Karns, Presbytery of Yukon
Louise, I'm glad to have brought back some memories.
Debby, I actually did record it on my iPhone. I don't think I will ever shoot video, or if I do it won't be much. I am too dedicated to the still photograph.
Curt, I greatly enjoyed meeting from you, learning from you and having you cause me to remember so much I had let slip out of active memory. Easter was an exceptional day for me and you helped make it so.