Saturday, March 7, 2009

Jack Tales and Camp Songs of Tekoa

In 1995 David Porter, son of Jack Porter the camp director at the time, set up some recording equipment in Laurel Lodge to make a collection of camp songs and Jack Tales told by his father. It was quite professional, I might add. I remember doing several takes on some of these songs for David to get the sound just right. Out of those recording sessions he made cassette tapes for everyone working on staff that summer. For some reason the tapes were not able to be massed produced for the camp store, so the only copies of these tapes are in the hands of the 1995 staff. I found mine in an old cassette tape carrying case I used to put tapes in for travelling in my car. Though the tape was chromium quality, I wanted to preserve this collection for posterity, so I burned them onto a CD, then loaded it onto my computer.

Here I provide for everyone's listening pleasure that recording session in its entirety. Some of the files are only a few minutes, while some of Jack's storytelling tracks last as long as 10-18 minutes. If you hear anyone singing out of tune, it was probably me. My wife said she could pick me out of the chorus of voices when I turned it up loud on the computer!

One of the facets of working at Camp Tekoa that I was most fond of and found most inspiring was the songs and music. Whenever campers and staff got together, whether it be at mealtime or around the campfire, I could feel the presence of God around us when we filled the air with his praises. I hope these songs and stories bring back fond memories for you as well.

Camp Tekoa Song
Sanctuary
Pharaoh, Pharaoh
Hardy Hardhead
Seek Ye First
Lord, I Lift Your Name
Search My Heart
The Golden Teepee
I Will Call Upon The Lord
Wesley Grace
The Love Round
Soap, Soap, Soap
Rock Of My Salvation
The Snakebit Hoehandle
Amazing Grace
Singing About His Love
The Gift
Humble Thyself

Order now from K-Tell Records! Just kidding. I'm still new to this type of file-sharing technology, but I would think all these songs are public domain. After you click on a link, you can choose to download or just listen to the song. If anyone out there who knows more about music or file sharing knows any reason why I can't offer these songs free to anyone who wants them, let me know as well. Otherwise, enjoy!

5 comments:

Life as I see it.... said...

Thank you SO MUCH for putting this up. These songs and stories bring back so many of my amazing camp memories from when I was a camper and then a counselor. Camp Tekoa holds such a special place in my heart and listening to these songs reminded me of how lucky we all are to have had Jack and Tekoa in our lives. Thanks again!

Carrie said...

I can't believe you still have this tape. I remember getting to play guitar for this recording. Thanks for posting this Country!

Elizabeth said...

Thank you soooo very much for posting these!!! I got half way thru Sanctuary and was already in tears!!! Joyful, memorable tears! Those songs and stories meant more to me as a camper and then on as a counselor than anything over the years. I truly think of Tekoa as part of my family and i miss it oh so very much!

Love always, Elizabeth McLeod

Unknown said...

God bless you for sharing these!!!Blessed my heart! Was looking for love the Lord your God song, know one else does it Camp Tekoa style!!!Gave it a shot and here it is The Love Round. I was a camper a few years in a row, brought back memories from the buddy system to the zip-line, almost getting sent home for hitch-hiking cause we lost our group while tubing. Thank you all for encouraging my faith!! Cant wait to share these with the lil ones at church:)

David Hampton: said...

Thank you Samantha! I am glad you found the songs uplifting. I remember music being so much a part of praise and worship at Tekoa that I can't think of Tekoa without it.