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By and By: Charles Albert Tindley, the Father of Gospel Music
A stirring picture book biography from award-winning duo Carole Boston Weatherford and Bryan Collier, about gospel composer and preacher Charles Albert Tindley, best known for the gospel hymn “We’ll Understand It Better By and By.”
At a time when most African Americans were still enslaved, Charles Tindley was born free. His childhood was far from easy, with backbreaking hours in the fields, and no opportunity to go to school. But the spirituals he heard as he worked made him long to know how to read the Gospel for himself. Late at night, he taught himself to read from scraps of newspapers. From those small scraps, young Charles raised himself to become a founding father of American gospel music whose hymn was the basis for the Civil Rights anthem “We Shall Overcome.”
Told in lilting verse with snippets of spirituals and Tindley’s own hymns woven throughout, Carole Boston Weatherford’s lyrical words and Bryan Collier’s luminous pictures celebrate a man whose music and conviction has inspired countless lives.
At a time when most African Americans were still enslaved, Charles Tindley was born free. His childhood was far from easy, with backbreaking hours in the fields, and no opportunity to go to school. But the spirituals he heard as he worked made him long to know how to read the Gospel for himself. Late at night, he taught himself to read from scraps of newspapers. From those small scraps, young Charles raised himself to become a founding father of American gospel music whose hymn was the basis for the Civil Rights anthem “We Shall Overcome.”
Told in lilting verse with snippets of spirituals and Tindley’s own hymns woven throughout, Carole Boston Weatherford’s lyrical words and Bryan Collier’s luminous pictures celebrate a man whose music and conviction has inspired countless lives.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published January 14, 2020
About the author
Carole Boston Weatherford
119 books428 followersCarole Boston Weatherford is a children's book author and poet who mines the past for family stories, traditions, and struggles. A number of CAROLE's books tell the stories of African-American historical figures such as Harriet Tubman, Jesse Owens, and Billie Holiday. Other books recount historical events such as the Greensboro Sit-ins and the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham. CAROLE's books have received a wide variety of awards, including a Caldecott Honour for “Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People To Freedom”.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 4, 2020
This book tells the story in rhyming verse of Charles Albert Tindley, who was a self-educated Methodist minister and “the Father of Gospel Music.”
Tindley was born in Maryland in 1851 to a slave father and a free mother, so he himself was spared from slavery by law. His mother died when he was young, and he was hired out to farms, where he grew to love the words of the Bible that he heard chanted in spirituals by his fellow field workers. Weatherford writes in Tindley’s voice: “I yearned for more - to read the Word.”
The desire to know more about his faith led Tindley to become self-educated, learning to read from scraps of newspapers and walking miles to receive lessons from anyone who would teach him. His quest continued after he moved to Philadelphia, taking night classes while working multiple jobs. Tindley was finally able to pass the test that enabled him to qualify for ordination in the Methodist Episcopal Church by virtue of his high-ranking scores.
In 1902, Tindley became the pastor of East Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, the same church at which he had been a janitor. Under his leadership, the church grew rapidly from the 130 members it had when he arrived, growing over time to a multiracial congregation of 10,000. The congregation had to build a bigger meeting place. [After his death, the church was renamed "Tindley Temple." The Tindley Temple United Methodist Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.]
In 1901, Tindley had begun composing hymns, popularized when he became a pastor through his booming voice, enthusiasm, and talent. The hymns he wrote include “We’ll Understand It Better By and By,” “Take Your Burden to the Lord and Leave it There” and “I’ll Overcome Some Day” which inspired the civil rights anthem, “We Shall Overcome.” Five of his hymns appear in the 1989 United Methodist Hymnal. Lyrics from some of his hymns are included in the text as italicized lines, such as his lines from “Stand by Me”:
“When I do the best I can,
And my friends misunderstand,
Thou who knowest all about me,
Stand by me.”
Multiple award-winning illustrator Bryan Collier tells us in a note that he grew up only thirty miles south of where Tindley was born, and is quite familiar with Tindley; in fact, he relates, every year “Tindley Day” is celebrated in his home town. Collier employs dramatic and vivid two-page mixtures of watercolors and collage. His stunning imagery enhances the text, adding unique touches such as snippets of book pages and sheet music to the background as Tindley continues to learn and grow.
An author's note and illustrator's note follow the text as well as a list of popular Tindley hymns, a brief bibliography, and a guide to further resources. One of the books referenced is another book for children, I See the Rhythm of Gospel by Michele Wood that explores the historical, cultural, and spiritual influences that produced gospel music. There is also a link that leads you to a short video produced by the Tindley Temple telling the story of Tindley’s life.
It is worth repeating the remarks of Rev. Robert L. Johnson, of today’s Tindley Temple:
"We lose so much of our history and so much of who we are. And our generations to come need to understand that this belongs to you. I heard a kid sing the other day, 'By and By.' He had no idea that 'By and By' was a Tindley hymn. When I told the young man, and I brought him in here [to the Tindley Temple], the first thing he said was, 'Wow. I walk by it every day and I never knew it was here.' And people who don't understand the history really can't respect it. But when you understand it, you respect it and you hold it a little bit closer to your heart."
Evaluation: Weatherford, author of over forty books, many of which have been award-winners, wields her reliably good talent in emphasizing the struggles, persistence, and courage of historical figures who deserve more attention.
Tindley was born in Maryland in 1851 to a slave father and a free mother, so he himself was spared from slavery by law. His mother died when he was young, and he was hired out to farms, where he grew to love the words of the Bible that he heard chanted in spirituals by his fellow field workers. Weatherford writes in Tindley’s voice: “I yearned for more - to read the Word.”
The desire to know more about his faith led Tindley to become self-educated, learning to read from scraps of newspapers and walking miles to receive lessons from anyone who would teach him. His quest continued after he moved to Philadelphia, taking night classes while working multiple jobs. Tindley was finally able to pass the test that enabled him to qualify for ordination in the Methodist Episcopal Church by virtue of his high-ranking scores.
In 1902, Tindley became the pastor of East Calvary Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, the same church at which he had been a janitor. Under his leadership, the church grew rapidly from the 130 members it had when he arrived, growing over time to a multiracial congregation of 10,000. The congregation had to build a bigger meeting place. [After his death, the church was renamed "Tindley Temple." The Tindley Temple United Methodist Church was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.]
In 1901, Tindley had begun composing hymns, popularized when he became a pastor through his booming voice, enthusiasm, and talent. The hymns he wrote include “We’ll Understand It Better By and By,” “Take Your Burden to the Lord and Leave it There” and “I’ll Overcome Some Day” which inspired the civil rights anthem, “We Shall Overcome.” Five of his hymns appear in the 1989 United Methodist Hymnal. Lyrics from some of his hymns are included in the text as italicized lines, such as his lines from “Stand by Me”:
“When I do the best I can,
And my friends misunderstand,
Thou who knowest all about me,
Stand by me.”
Multiple award-winning illustrator Bryan Collier tells us in a note that he grew up only thirty miles south of where Tindley was born, and is quite familiar with Tindley; in fact, he relates, every year “Tindley Day” is celebrated in his home town. Collier employs dramatic and vivid two-page mixtures of watercolors and collage. His stunning imagery enhances the text, adding unique touches such as snippets of book pages and sheet music to the background as Tindley continues to learn and grow.
An author's note and illustrator's note follow the text as well as a list of popular Tindley hymns, a brief bibliography, and a guide to further resources. One of the books referenced is another book for children, I See the Rhythm of Gospel by Michele Wood that explores the historical, cultural, and spiritual influences that produced gospel music. There is also a link that leads you to a short video produced by the Tindley Temple telling the story of Tindley’s life.
It is worth repeating the remarks of Rev. Robert L. Johnson, of today’s Tindley Temple:
"We lose so much of our history and so much of who we are. And our generations to come need to understand that this belongs to you. I heard a kid sing the other day, 'By and By.' He had no idea that 'By and By' was a Tindley hymn. When I told the young man, and I brought him in here [to the Tindley Temple], the first thing he said was, 'Wow. I walk by it every day and I never knew it was here.' And people who don't understand the history really can't respect it. But when you understand it, you respect it and you hold it a little bit closer to your heart."
Evaluation: Weatherford, author of over forty books, many of which have been award-winners, wields her reliably good talent in emphasizing the struggles, persistence, and courage of historical figures who deserve more attention.
February 29, 2020
With lyrical verse and collage-style realistic illustrations, By and By easily becomes one of the most beautiful children's books. Telling the life story of Charles Albert Tindley, who grew up on the fields and later worshipped God and wrote hymnals for his church, Weatherford's story offers a glimpse of spirit, hope, and joy. Not only did the word of God help him on his life journey, but it also aided in him helping others, which for him, perhaps was even more important.
I'd never head about Charles Albert Tindley before this, so I can only thank Weatherford and Collier for writing and illustrating this, because I'm sure that others like me haven't heard of him either. I'm personally not the most religious person, but I can only imagine that this would be great for religious families who want to bring some faith into their storytimes. For non-religious people like me, it was still a beautiful piece of literature.
Great for grades 1-3.
Review cross-listed here!
I'd never head about Charles Albert Tindley before this, so I can only thank Weatherford and Collier for writing and illustrating this, because I'm sure that others like me haven't heard of him either. I'm personally not the most religious person, but I can only imagine that this would be great for religious families who want to bring some faith into their storytimes. For non-religious people like me, it was still a beautiful piece of literature.
Great for grades 1-3.
Review cross-listed here!
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March 9, 2020Born to an enslaved father and a free mother in 1851, Charles Albert Tindley never stopped striving for knowledge and for religion. First introduced to Bible stories through the spirituals he heard working in the fields, Tindley found ways to educate himself, learning to read and write, working several jobs, and eventually becoming a popular and influential pastor in Philadelphia. In rhyming text, Carole Boston Weatherford presents his life and Bryan Collier brings it to life with striking mixed media illustrations.
July 23, 2020
By and By: Charles Albert Tindley, the Father of Gospel Music is a children's picture book written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Bryan Collier. It about Albert Tindley, a child born to one free and one enslaved parent grows up to make a difference in the spiritual and secular lives of his people.
Charles Albert Tindley was an American Methodist minister and gospel music composer. Often referred to as "The Prince of Preachers", he educated himself, became a minister and founded one of the largest Methodist congregations serving the African-American community on the East Coast of the United States.
Weatherford's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Written in sturdy verse, Weatherford weaves the words of hymns the figure wrote into lines that describe his slow, steady rise through the Great Migration and Great Depression until he became pastor of an urban church with 15,000 parishioners and wrote dozens of hymns for them to sing. Backmatter includes a note from the author and illustrator and a list of hymns. Collier creates one compelling watercolor and collage spread after another, from a view of the small boy shadowed by tall trees as he trudges to church to congregants joined in song with Tindley at the pulpit.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Born in the rural South and hired out to farmers at age seven, Charles Albert Tindley had a thirst for learning. He learned to read from newspaper fragments and walked miles to church, where reading was celebrated. As he grew, Tindley sought out teachers and studied for the ministry at night.
All in all, By and By: Charles Albert Tindley, the Father of Gospel Music is a lively salute to an important, influential life of music and service.
Charles Albert Tindley was an American Methodist minister and gospel music composer. Often referred to as "The Prince of Preachers", he educated himself, became a minister and founded one of the largest Methodist congregations serving the African-American community on the East Coast of the United States.
Weatherford's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Written in sturdy verse, Weatherford weaves the words of hymns the figure wrote into lines that describe his slow, steady rise through the Great Migration and Great Depression until he became pastor of an urban church with 15,000 parishioners and wrote dozens of hymns for them to sing. Backmatter includes a note from the author and illustrator and a list of hymns. Collier creates one compelling watercolor and collage spread after another, from a view of the small boy shadowed by tall trees as he trudges to church to congregants joined in song with Tindley at the pulpit.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. Born in the rural South and hired out to farmers at age seven, Charles Albert Tindley had a thirst for learning. He learned to read from newspaper fragments and walked miles to church, where reading was celebrated. As he grew, Tindley sought out teachers and studied for the ministry at night.
All in all, By and By: Charles Albert Tindley, the Father of Gospel Music is a lively salute to an important, influential life of music and service.
January 18, 2020
Fantastic children's picture book of the life of Charles Albert Tindley, born free of a slave and considered the father of gospel music. Illustrations are colorful and create a flow to the story, one can almost hear the music dancing across the page.
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
July 4, 2025
What happens when you pair up two of the most awesome and award winning author and illustrator of my time? Magic. Magic happens. Collier's art has such depth and his use of colors, shadows, and light create visual feasts throughout this lovely story. Though the book is about a preacher, it is the dedication to study, hard work, and belief that we are all brothers and can help each other when times are tough and lift each other when some are feeling down. Reverend Tindley's song "I'll Overcome Someday" became the most known hymn "We Shall Overcome" during the Civil Rights Movement. I "felt" this book as it had warmth, wisdom, connection, and triumph after struggle in its lines. As I suspect a preacher strives to choose the right words at the right times when preparing a sermon, Weatherford obviously toiled over the language, the lyrics, and the phrases from hymns found in this beautiful book. Years ago I worked in a small town in Michigan that has been historically all black families. I went to the local church several times to hear my students sing. That Black Baptist Church will always be a part of my heart. I appreciate this book bringing me back there where the joy of a community gathering is expressed in this book even when Reverend Tinsley's church became so massive. A warm heart is heard in words, music, and seen in shining eyes that smile with love. Thank you Carole Boston Weatherford and Bryan Collier. This book is joy.
July 6, 2020
By and By : Charles Albert Tindley the Father of Gospel Music by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Bryan Collier PICTURE BOOK Antheneum (Simon and Schuster), 2020. $18. 9781534426368
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Born free in 1851, Charles Albert Tindley heard the African American Spirituals when he worked - hired out to help in the fields. He learned to read by walking 7 miles after work each night to get lessons from a school teachers. By age 17 he could read and write. In 1901 he began composing hymns and is now considered the father of gospel music.
I have always loved Collier's illustrations, these are watercolor and collage. Weatherford's rhyming text is well done - telling his story simply. Includes a longer bio in the author's notes, illustrator notes with Collier's personal connection to Tindley's music, a list of popular hymns by Tindley, bibliography and resources.
Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3), EL - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE
Born free in 1851, Charles Albert Tindley heard the African American Spirituals when he worked - hired out to help in the fields. He learned to read by walking 7 miles after work each night to get lessons from a school teachers. By age 17 he could read and write. In 1901 he began composing hymns and is now considered the father of gospel music.
I have always loved Collier's illustrations, these are watercolor and collage. Weatherford's rhyming text is well done - telling his story simply. Includes a longer bio in the author's notes, illustrator notes with Collier's personal connection to Tindley's music, a list of popular hymns by Tindley, bibliography and resources.
Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com/20...
May 23, 2020
Born free in 1851, Charles Albert Tindley heard the African American Spirituals when he worked - hired out to help in the fields. He learned to read by walking 7 miles after work each night to get lessons from a school teachers. By age 17 he could read and write. In 1901 he began composing hymns and is now considered the father of gospel music.
I have always loved Collier's illustrations, these are watercolor and collage. Weatherford's rhyming text is well done - telling his story simply. Includes a longer bio in the author's notes, illustrator notes with Collier's personal connection to Tindley's music, a list of popular hymns by Tindley, bibliography and resources.
For this and more of my reviews, visit http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com
I have always loved Collier's illustrations, these are watercolor and collage. Weatherford's rhyming text is well done - telling his story simply. Includes a longer bio in the author's notes, illustrator notes with Collier's personal connection to Tindley's music, a list of popular hymns by Tindley, bibliography and resources.
For this and more of my reviews, visit http://kissthebookjr.blogspot.com
March 11, 2022
This a short biography of the pastor and hymn writer Charles Albert Tindley. This book is great introduction to an amazing man. From his humble beginnings to a pastor in the very church he was a janitor at. I would not use this book for deep research- which is fine because it is geared toward children. The art style and narration draws the reader in, and keeps their attention to the very end. There’s is also an author’s note at the end that has a little bit more detail on Pastor Tindley. All in all a really good book.
January 24, 2020
Biography of Charles A. Tindley.
Weatherford takes readers from his birth through childhood struggles. He overcomes harsh conditions, teaches himself to read, and takes classes on top of working two jobs. He writes poems and music along the way. The book ends with him being the pastor at the church that will bear his name.
The illustrations are incredible and set the tone for the lyrics and text shared in the book.
Weatherford takes readers from his birth through childhood struggles. He overcomes harsh conditions, teaches himself to read, and takes classes on top of working two jobs. He writes poems and music along the way. The book ends with him being the pastor at the church that will bear his name.
The illustrations are incredible and set the tone for the lyrics and text shared in the book.
November 8, 2020
Uses quotes from his hymns (as well as author-written rhyming text) to help tell his story of a risen from a free-born boy who was hired out at a young age and taught himself to read from newspaper scraps. Working multiple jobs, he always made time for reading and for church. He was called to preach and worked hard to earn the qualification. His church became a center for helping the poor; attendance sky rocketed. His sermons often included songs he wrote.
July 31, 2022
This was the story of a man that overcame incredible odds through hard work and belief in reliance on community. I'm not a big follower of gospel music, but he did so much that it's hard not to understand his significance. The text is lyrical and the illustrations from Bryan Collier are not to be discounted. He always does such beautiful work. The end matter was also informative and engaging, and lend well to further research on the topic.
March 1, 2020
This was a wonderful look into the life of someone I was not previously familiar with. The art style was beautiful and I found Reverend Tindley's story to be very inspiring! I especially loved the use of old sheets of music in the the collage style illustrations, and the writing is flowing and lyrical which will be especially engaging for young readers.
April 28, 2020
I checked this book out of the library because I love the illustrator, Bryan Collier, but I didn’t love the book. It didn’t seem to convey the importance/contributions of Charles Albert Tindley (the subtitle of the book tells more about this than the text itself, I think), was too religious for my taste (it was told from the point of view of Tindley), and I didn’t care for the rhyming format.
June 30, 2020
Another cute picture book highlighting a historical black figure I didn't previously know. There's more emphasis on verse than information, which made this a quick read. I love that more underrepresented figures in history are having their stories told and I thought it was super interesting that one of his hymns was the inspiration for We Shall Overcome.
January 6, 2025
About Charles Albert Tindley, the father of Gospel Music. Born free in Berlin, Maryland in 1851, he overcame a difficult childhood, learned to read against the laws of the land at the time. He became a minister in 1902 and incorportaed hymns into his sermons to inspire his parishioners. He wrote many still known and used today.
June 17, 2020
I really loved Collier's illustrations. The collages gave you so much insight into Charles Tindley and also so many things to look at and explore visually. The bio was well written and would be great to share in storytime or in a classroom setting.
March 6, 2025
This is a well-written and beautifully illustrated book about a man who struggled and found an amazing career in the pulpit and as a songwriter. The illustrations feature a collage style with many interesting pieces that make up a beautiful picture. This book would be great for reports or used during Black History Month. There are additional resources at the end, such as the Author's Note, Illustrator's Note, Popular Hymns by Charles Tindley, Bibliography, Resources, and Songs Quoted in the Book. Be sure to read the Author and Illustrator notes. Highly recommended for Grades 3-5.
January 15, 2020
A rousing picture biography of the gospel hymn composer with stunning illustrations by Bryan Collier.
February 3, 2020
Wonderful picture book biography of someone that I had never heard of. Love the collage art as always. Enjoyed that it was told in verse.
February 5, 2020
A beautiful picture book biography. Lovely illustrations.
February 8, 2020
I so love Bryan Collier's illustrations.
February 19, 2020
This is an absolutely breathtaking, beautiful biography of a man whose life and work are a testament to courage, faith, determination, and perseverance. The illustrations are gorgeous!
March 4, 2020
Inspiring story with OUTSTANDING art. Strangely, there were several occurrences of near rhymes. Still a person worth learning about and engaging art.
April 28, 2020
The information is interesting, but I think it could have been delivered in a more light-hearted manner for this specific target audience. However, this is the way Weatherford writes her materials.
September 10, 2020
After teaching himself to read, Charles Tindley entered the ministry, serving a large church and writing gospel music throughout his career. Bold watercolor and collage illustrations.
December 17, 2020
Written as a poem with beautiful pictures this book tells the biography of Pastor Tindley.
January 28, 2021
A picture book biography of music composer and preacher Charles Albert Tinley from childhood to adulthood including education, his church and music. Elementary and up
February 20, 2021
Carole Boston Weatherford has a way with the couplet, she is a poet. She can tell a story in rhyme and you never miss a detail.
March 4, 2021
Beautiful.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews