1850 - 1927 Author of "De Light Am a-Shinin' On De Way" John M. (Marchant) Whyte. Evangelist, hymn writer, singer, b Paris, Canada West (Ontario), 8 Jun 1850, d Toronto 17 Mar 1927. He studied at the University of Toronto and devoted himself to evangelistic and temperance work. Typical of several hundred songs for which he wrote the words or the music, or both, are 'Canada Shall Yet Be Free,' 'Toronto the Good,' and 'Song of Trust.' Many songs appeared in separate editions published by Toronto News Co or Briggs. With his brother David Albert Whyte he edited Sing Out the Glad News (Briggs 1885) and Songs of Calvary (Briggs 1889). The Great Redemption (Briggs 1894), Nuggets of Gold (Briggs 1898) and Battle Songs of the Cross (1901) contain many of his own melodies. Eight of his hymns are reprinted in CMH vol 5. The editor of the reprint, John Beckwith, has concluded that 'Come Away to Jesus Now' and 'Jesus Is Calling You Now' may have enjoyed a measure of popularity.
Author Helmut Kallmann
Bibliography: Beckwith, John. 'Tunebooks and hymnals in Canada, 1801-1939,'. American Music, summer 1988.
--http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/en/article/john-m-whyte-emc/
John M. Whyte
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