In the Old-time Way

Acts 1:13-14 ...they went up into an upper room...These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication...

The words and music to In the Old-time Way were written by Baylus Benjamin “B.B.” McKinney. It is number 305 in The Broadman Hymnal, a songbook edited by McKinney. The meter of the stanzas is 8.7.8.5., with an irregular refrain. I did not find the words to this hymn online, so I decided to reproduce them here. It is a prayer, exposition of prayer, and exhortation to prayer “in the old-time way.” This represents one of the two genres in which McKinney usually wrote – prayer and praise.

While I believe in prayer and exalt “the old-time way,” it seems to me that this text comes too close to expecting another “Pentecost” – a spectacular and wonderful event, but also very unique and therefore outside of continual repetition. (Note, McKinney does not directly call for another “Pentecost,” but invokes it with the use of the “upper room” motif.)

B. B. McKinney (July 22, 1886 – September 7, 1952), was a Southern Baptist singer, songwriter, teacher, and music editor. For a fuller biography, see last week’s post on “Glorious Is Thy Name.”

1. As he heard his waiting people
In the upper room one day,
God will hear us when we seek him
In the old-time way.

Chorus:
In the old-time way (old-time way)
In the old-time way (old-time way)
Lord, revive and save they people,
In the old-time way.

2. He will bless the Gospel story,
He will save the lost today,
He will give them grace and glory
In the old-time way.

3. He who walked upon the waters
Is the very same today;
He can still the storm and tempest
In the old-time way.

4. Send the old-time power upon us,
Cleanse each waiting heart we pray;
Let they mighty zeal possess us
In the old-time way.