James
Washington Gaines
1880-1937
J. W. Gaines was a native of Texas and lived there for many
years, working with the Trio and/or Quartet Music Companies
of Waco. His wife's name was Laurel, and they had six
children. He must have been a friend of
Franklin L. Eiland, a
hymnwriter who was a member of the Lord's church,
because it was while visiting at Gaines' log cabin
home in Palo Pinto County, TX, that Eiland composed
his most famous melody which accompanies the hymn,
"Hold To God's Unchanging Hand."
Songs by J. W. Gaines
- Take My Hand, and Lead Me - 1924 - Words and
music
- When Jesus Comes
- You Never Mentioned Him To Me, 1929 - Music
- In That Home Of The Soul
J. W. Gaines moved to the Memphis, TN, area where he
operated a business there under his own name and spent the
last few years of his life. Gaines was a Methodist and died
on June 13, 1937 at Oakville in Shelby County, TN. One of
his students was
G. C. Finley.