- E. O. Excell
Infobox Person
name = E. O. Excell
image_size = 200px
caption = circa 1887
birth_name =
birth_date = Birth date|1851|12|13
birth_place =Uniontown, Ohio
death_date = Death date and age|1921|6|10|1851|12|13
death_place =Chicago, Illinois
death_cause =
resting_place = Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago
resting_place_coordinates =
residence =Chicago, Illinois from 1883
nationality =
ethnicity =
citizenship =
other_names =
known_for = Leading American Hymnbook Publisher, Arrangement of "Amazing Grace ", Gospel songs "Count your blessings" and "I'll be a sunbeam"
education = Studied music under George F. and Frederick W. Root
alma_mater =
employer = E. O. Excell (Company)
occupation = Music PublisherComposer Choirmaster Vocalist
title =
salary =
networth =
height =
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predecessor =
successor =
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religion = Methodist
spouse = Eliza Jane (Bell) Excell (1871) [Marquis 1911: 222]
partner =
children = William Alonzo
parents = J. J. Excell
Emily (Hess) Excell
relatives =
website =
footnotes =Edwin Othello Excell (
December 13 ,1851 –June 10 ,1921 ), commonly known as E. O. Excell, was a prominent American publisher,composer , song leader, andsinger of music for church,Sunday school , and evangelistic meetings during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Some of the significant collaborators in his vocal and publishing work included Sam P. Jones,William E. Biederwolf ,Gipsy Smith , Charles Reign Scoville, J. Wilbur Chapman, John H. Vincent, W. E. M. Hackleman, andD. B. Towner .He compiled or contributed to about ninety secular and sacred song books and is estimated to have written, composed, or arranged more than two thousand of the songs he published.Johnson 1983] The influence of his sacred music on American popular culture through revival meetings, circuit chautauquas, and church hymnals was sufficient for mention by
Sinclair Lewis in "Elmer Gantry ", a satirical work of fiction crafted around Protestant evangelism in the 1920s. [Lewis 1927: 180]Excell's 1909 stanza selection and arrangement of "
Amazing Grace " became the most widely used and familiar setting of that hymn by the second half of the twentieth century. [Turner 2002: 144] The music publishing business he started in 1881 and that eventually bore his name was the highest volume producer of hymnbooks in America at the time of his death.Sanjeck 1988: 258]Early years
Excell was the son of German Reformed minister and self-published author J. J. Excell. [Osborn 2004: 595] He was born in Uniontown, Stark County, Ohio and attended public schools in Ohio and Pennsylvania. After marrying in 1871 near
Brady's Bend, Pennsylvania , he relocated to that state and supported his family for several years as aplasterer ,bricklayer , and singing instructor.Hope Publishing Company 2006] His focus was turned tosacred music through his experience leading songs at revivals and worship services of Methodist Episcopal churches, first in East Brady and then, starting in 1881,Oil City, Pennsylvania . Between 1877 and 1883 he studied music formally at the normal music institutes of George F. Root where he also received vocal training under Root's son, Frederick. He moved to Chicago, base of Root's operations, in 1883 to pursue music publishing in earnest. [Osborn 2004: 327]Vocalist and song leader
Excell was described as "a big, robust six-footer, with a six-in caliber voice" [Crouse 2005: 54] and extraordinary range that enabled him to solo as
baritone ortenor . Having seen him lead the singing at a revival, publisherGeorge H. Doran later noted that Excell "was a master of mass control; he might easily have become conductor of some mighty chorus". [Doran 1935: 360] These talents fostered his early success as a rural singing teacher in Pennsylvania and helped secure a position as churchchoirmaster for the two years preceding his move toIllinois .Two important contacts made during his early years in Chicago were Benjamin F. Jacobs and John H. Vincent.Hall 1914] Both men had been heavily involved with the uniform Sunday school lesson system established among many Protestant denominations during the early 1870s. [Smith 1922: 217] Vincent was also co-founder of the original Chautauqua Assembly and involved with the burgeoning church youth movements of the era, such as Christian Endeavor and
Epworth League s. Excell assisted with the music of their Sunday school work for at least two years and later served as music editor for correspondence courses Vincent established through the Chautauqua Press. [Sanjek 1988: 259] He also performed as a vocalist for programs at theChautauqua Institution . Insights gained from these associations were significant in that much of what Excell would later publish targeted Sunday school and youth program music needs.The Methodist Episcopal church of Excell's day was still divided into northern and southern denominations created by an
antebellum split. Excell and Vincent were affiliated with the northern branch known as theMethodist Episcopal Church . In 1885 he met Sam P. Jones, a Georgia evangelist of theMethodist Episcopal Church, South , and was invited to join him as vocalist the following year, which included a campaign inToronto during October, 1886. [Crouse 2005: 54-55]Jones' musical director at that time was Marcellus J. Maxwell of
Oxford, Georgia . He was also a capable singer and songwriter, though more reserved than Excell. They became an effective musical team known informally as "Ex and Max". [Goff 2002: 62-63] At some point prior to 1895, Excell became the principal song leader and vocalist Jones referred to as "this big-hearted, noble soul ..., my chorister, Brother Excell." [Jones 1896: 291] The respect was mutual and good natured. In 1887 Excell wrote and published a spiritualized rendition of "one of the trite sayings of the Reverend Sam P. Jones" titled "You Better Quit Your Meanness". It was dedicated to Jones by "his Co-Worker, E. O. Excell". [Excell 1887] They worked together throughout the United States and Canada until Jones' death in 1906. Their twenty year relationship was one of the most significant influences on Excell's career.While serving as Jones' chorister, Excell became adept at crafting large choirs out of recruits from multiple church choirs that had never sung together before. Though these combined choirs typically had fewer than 400 participants, William Shaw of Christian Endeavor listed Excell among
Ira Sankey ,Homer Rodeheaver , and other distinguished musicians who had led choirs in the range of one thousand to four thousand voices at their conventions. [Shaw 1924: 170]Excell assisted a number of other evangelists and religious conference leaders in various musical capacities. He worked as a vocalist for William E. Biederwolf, a
Presbyterian minister active with theWinona Lake Bible Conference and its relatedchautauqua , with whom he also collaborated on a number of hymnbooks. [Biederwolf 2005] During the final decade of his life he assisted with the music program of British evangelistGipsy Smith .Music publisher, compiler and editor
Excell compiled a collection of hymns and gospel songs around 1880 which was published as "Sacred Echoes" by John J. Hood of
Philadelphia in 1881, the year he marked as his start in the business. "Sing the Gospel", published around the time of the move to Chicago, was issued under the "E. O. Excell" imprint. "Echoes of Eden" followed two years later in 1884. An archetype of later "combined" song books was produced in 1885 when contents of "Sing the Gospel", "Echoes of Eden" and limited new material were repackaged into "The Gospel in Song", a hymnbook later advertised to contain the songs and solos sung by Excell at Sam Jones' Gospel meetings.am Jones Influence
The working relationship initiated with Jones in 1886 proved to be a pattern of the age. A contemporary writer explained that prominent evangelists always "had their leading singers, they were billed on the hoardings of the cities after the manner of theatrical companies -- Moody and Sankey; Sam Jones and Excell; Chapman and Alexander; Torrey and Towner; and so on." [Doran 1935: 362] The promotional benefit for a
sacred music publisher was enormous. Excell's books were used in Jones' revivals and the contents revised over time to suit changing preferences and the needs of the campaigns.Three song books aimed at different applications were published in 1886 and 1887. All three became series that ran through most of the years Excell was affiliated with Jones' ministry:
* "Excell's Anthems" (1886) for choirs was followed by volumes 2 through 6 and three combined editions of which "Excell's Anthems, Vols. 5 & 6 Combined" (1899) was the last.
* "Excell's School Songs" (1887) for school, class, and home use was followed by numbers 2 through 4 and two combined editions ending with "Excell's School Songs, Nos. 3 & 4 Combined" (1903).
* "Triumphant Songs" (1887) for Sunday schools and revivals was followed by numbers 2 through 5 and two combined editions (Nos. 1 & 2 and Nos. 3 & 4). The last book in this series was "Triumphant Songs No. 5" (1896)."Make His Praise Glorious", published in 1900 as the "Triumphant Songs" series was approaching its end, contained Excell's initial arrangement of "
Amazing Grace " based upon the tune "New Britian". [Excell 1900] He compiled and published at least another six song books with the E. O. Excell imprint during his final years with Jones. Excell and his song books received significant exposure in the majority of U.S. states and Canadian provinces of his day during the twenty years they worked together.Collaborations
Only about seven new song books were published by Excell under his own imprint in the years following Jones' death, though the annual quantity of books sold still managed to more than double during that time. The business changed to involve a greater number of collaborations destined for other publishers and
private label printing of denominational hymnals. Some of the most substantial were:* Methodist Episcopal - Some of the earliest collaborations were established through Excell's Methodist connections. Two hymnbooks were compiled for the Book Concerns of the
Methodist Episcopal Church (northern branch) in 1897 and 1899. He also produced at least four hymnbooks for theMethodist Episcopal Church, South between 1909 and 1918 with W. C. Everett, manager of the Methodist Publishing House inDallas, Texas .* Charles Reign Scoville - At least three hymnbooks were compiled with this evangelist of the Christian Church and director of the Winona Assembly and Summer School Association for his C. R. Scoville imprint between 1909 and about 1915.
* W. E. M. Hackleman - Four hymn collections were produced between 1910 and 1914 with this Christian Church musician and published by the Christian Board of Publication or Hackleman Music Company. Hackleman also worked on another three collections credited to Excell that were published posthumously.
*
William E. Biederwolf - Three hymn collections and a combined edition were developed with thisPresbyterian evangelist between 1912 and 1917 for Glad Tidings Publishing Company. Excell had also been listed earlier as a special contributor on "Hymns of His Praise No. 2" that Biederwolf compiled in 1906 with assistance fromHomer Rodeheaver . One other hymn book, "Songs of the Evangelist" crediting both Biederwolf and Excell as contributors, was published posthumously in 1925.* [http://www.hopepublishing.com/html/main.isx?sitesec=3.3.3.4 Hope Publishing Company] - "Joy to the World" was compiled in 1915 for this publishing firm of another Chicago Methodist,
Henry S. Date . While Excell continued to publish collections under his own imprint, he worked on another three Hope hymnbooks for Date's successors through 1919.* Single song book collaborations - Excell worked on one-book projects with a diverse number of his contemporaries. Some of the more notable included:
**William Shaw - Treasurer of Christian Endeavor on "Jubilant Praise" (1900).
**J. Wilbur Chapman - Evangelist known for his work with singer Charles Alexander and moderator of thePresbyterian General Assembly on "Winona Hymns" (1906).
**D. B. Towner - Vocalist and musician with D. L. Moody's organization on "Famous Gospel Hymns" (1907).
**French E. Oliver -Presbyterian evangelist and protégé of Charles Alexander on "Oliver's Songs of Deliverance" (1910).
**Theodore M. Hammond - Congregational founder of Hammond Publishing of Milwaukee and regent ofUniversity of Wisconsin on "The Very Best Songs for Sunday School" (1911).
**Marion Lawrance - Congregational Sunday school superintendent (laity ) and general secretary of theInternational Sunday School Association on "Eternal Praise" (1917).The portfolios of copyrights for contemporary songs and plates for classic hymns that Excell accumulated as a publisher and composer also led to printing work on denominational hymnals. He produced the 1909 edition of "Spiritual Hymns of
Brethren in Christ " in which he held copyrights for about one third of the six hundred songs selected by the hymnal committee. [Sauder 2003] Another example was the original edition of "Great Songs of the Church" which he produced for theChurches of Christ in 1921. [McCann 1971]E. O. Excell Company
The "E. O. Excell Company" imprint was used on the firm's later publications and it appears that "Company" was added after the founder's death.Fact|date=September 2008 At least one publication, "Chorus Choir Selections" (1918) [Excell 1918] , bears the "E. O. Excell & Son" imprint, indicating his son, William Alonzo, participated in the publishing business at some point.Fact|date=September 2008
Over the span of forty years Excell published approximately fifty song books and contributed to at least another thirty-eight. By 1914, his company had produced close to 10 million books and was selling them at a rate of nearly a half million per year. Annual output grew to more than a million books by 1921, though with margins at wholesale levels.
Lyricist, composer and arranger
Estimates of the number of songs authored, composed, or arranged by Excell range from two to three thousand. Two that remain well known are his 1909 arrangement of John Newton's "Amazing Grace" and the tune he composed for Johnson Oatman's "Count Your Blessings".
Death and legacy
Excell fell ill while assisting
Gipsy Smith with a revival inLouisville, Kentucky and died onJune 10 ,1921 shortly after making it home toChicago . Colleagues at theInternational Sunday School Association , where he had served for thirty-six years, said the following of him at their convention the following year: Quote|Mr. Excell will be remembered as the great song leader. Probably no man who ever lived, and certainly in this country, was more capable than he in directing great audiences in singing. He was large of body and happy in his disposition. He was never known to lose his temper or his smile in his endeavor to make the people sing. [Smith 1922: 57-58] |Herbert H. Smith, (ed.)|Organized Sunday School Work in North America, 1918-1922"At least four books listing him as a contributor were published posthumously. One of these was "The Excell Hymnal" published by his company in 1925; it was completed by his long-time collaborators Hamp Sewell and W. E. M. Hackleman as "a fitting climax to its long line of illustrious predecessors". [Sewell 1925]
Heirs sold the large E. O. Excell Company copyright portfolio to the Hope Publishing Company in 1931 which they combined with their prior acquisition of a former Ira Sankey firm to create the Biglow-Main-Excell Company. The most popular Excell compositions at the time of the sale were "I'll Be a Sunbeam" and "Count Your Blessings".
Notes
References
*cite book |last=Biederwolf |first=William E.|authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=Billy Graham Center|origdate= |origyear=2005 |origmonth=February |url=http://bgc.gospelcom.net |format= |accessdate= |accessyear=2008 |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |year= |month= |publisher= Wheaton College|location=Wheaton, Illinois|language= |isbn= |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter=Papers of William Edward Biederwolf - Collection 195 |chapterurl=http://www.wheaton.edu/bgc/archives/GUIDES/195.htm |quote= |ref=BIE2005
*cite book |last=Crouse |first=Eric R. |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=Revival in the City: The Impact of American Evangelists in Canada, 1884-1914|origdate= |origyear=2005 |origmonth= |url= |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |year= |month= |publisher=McGill-Queen's Press |location=Montreal |language= |isbn=9780773528987 |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= |ref=CRO2005
*cite book |last=Doran|first=George H.|authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=Chronicles of Barabbas 1884-1934 |origdate= |origyear=1935 |origmonth= |url= |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |year= |month= |publisher= Harcourt, Brace and Co.|location=New York |language= |isbn= |oclc=574507 |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= |ref=DOR1935
*cite book |last=Excell |first=Edwin O. |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=Chorus Choir Selections |origdate= |origyear=1918 |origmonth= |url= |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |year= |month= |publisher=E. O. Excell & Son |location=Chicago |language= |isbn= |oclc=10810126 |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= |ref=EXC1918
*cite book |last=Excell |first=Edwin O. |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=Make His Praise Glorious|origdate= |origyear=1900 |origmonth= |url= |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |year= |month= |publisher=E. O. Excell|location=Chicago |language= |isbn= |oclc=10176617 |doi= |id= |pages=235 |chapter=Amazing Grace |chapterurl=http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.natlib.ihas.200038826/pageturner.html |quote= |ref=EXC1900
*cite book |last=Excell |first=Edwin O. |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=You Better Quit Your Meanness|origdate= |origyear=1887 |origmonth= |url=http://digital.library.msstate.edu/cdm-SheetMusic/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/SheetMusic&CISOPTR=25485&CISOBOX=1&REC=1 |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |year= |month= |publisher=E. O. Excell |location=Chicago |language= |isbn= |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= |ref=EXC1887
*cite book |last=Goff |first=James R. |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=Close Harmony: A History of Southern Gospel|origdate= |origyear=2002 |origmonth= |url= |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |year= |month= |publisher=UNC Press|location=Chapel Hill, North Carolina |language= |isbn=9780807853467 |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= |ref=GOF2002
*cite book |last=Hall |first= J. H. |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=Biography of Gospel Song and Hymn Writers |origdate= |origyear=1914 |origmonth= |url=http://www.archive.org/details/biographyofgospe00hall |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |year= |month= |publisher= Fleming H. Revell |location=New York |language= |isbn= |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages=298-303 |chapter=|chapterurl= |quote= |ref=HAL1914
*cite book |last=Hope Publishing Company |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=Composers |origdate= |origyear=2006 |origmonth= |url=http://www.hopepublishing.com/html/main.isx?sub=7 |format= |accessdate=2008-07-31 |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |year= |month= |publisher= |location= |language= |isbn= |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter=Excell, Edwin O. |chapterurl=http://www.hopepublishing.com/html/main.isx?sub=307&search=125 |quote= |ref=HPC2006
*cite book |last=Johnson |first=Charles |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=One Hundred & One Famous Hymns |origdate= |origyear=1983 |origmonth= |url= |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |year= |month= |publisher=Hallberg Publishing Corporation |location=Delavan, WI |language= |isbn=0873190211 |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages=158 |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= |ref=JOH1983
*cite book |last=Jones |first=Sam P. |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=Thunderbolts |origdate= |origyear=1896 |origmonth= |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=DyVNAAAAMAAJ |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |year= |month= |publisher=Jones and Haynes |location=Nashville |language= |isbn= |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= |ref=JON1896
*cite book |last=Lewis |first=Sinclair |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=Elmer Gantry|origdate= |origyear=1927 |origmonth= |url= |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |year=1995 |month= |publisher=Signet Classic|location=New York |language= |isbn=9780451522511 |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= |ref=LEW1927
*cite book |last=Marquis |first= Albert Nelson |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=The Book of Chicagoans |origdate= |origyear=1911 |origmonth= |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=riITAAAAYAAJ |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |year= |month= |publisher=A. N. Marquis & Company |location=Chicago |language= |isbn= |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter=Excell, Edwin Othello |chapterurl=http://books.google.com/books?id=riITAAAAYAAJ&printsec=titlepage&source=gbs_summary_r&cad=0#PPA222,M1 |quote= |ref=MAR1911
*cite book |last=McCann |first=Forrest M. |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Volume 33 Number 8|origdate= |origyear=1971 |origmonth= August |url= http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/wcketcherside/mm/mm33_08.html|format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |year= |month= |publisher=Mission Messenger|location=St. Louis, Missouri |language= |isbn= |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages=121-123 |chapter=Fifty Years of Song |chapterurl=http://www.mun.ca/rels/restmov/texts/wcketcherside/mm/mm33_08c.html |quote= |ref=MCC1971
*cite book |last=Osborne |first=William |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Music in Ohio |origdate= |origyear=2004 |origmonth= |url= |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |year= |month= |publisher=Kent State University Press |location=Kent, Ohio |language= |isbn=9780873387750 |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= |ref=OSB2004
*cite book |last=Sanjek |first=Russell |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=Music and Its Business: the First 400 Years |origdate= |origyear=1988 |origmonth= |url= |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |volume=vol. 2 from 1790 to 1909 |date= |year= |month= |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=New York |language= |isbn=9780195043105 |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= |ref=SAN1988
*cite book |last=Sauder |first=Myron K.|authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=Handbook for A Collection of Spiritual Hymns |origdate= |origyear=2003 |origmonth= |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=6WXvA9TDNSAC |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |year= |month= |publisher=Myron K. Sauder|location=Lancaster, Pennsylvania|language= |isbn=9781929678044 |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages=24 |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= |ref=SAU2003
*cite book |last=Sewell |first=Hamp |authorlink= |coauthors= W. E. M. Hackleman & E. O. Excell |editor= |others= |title=The Excell Hymnal |origdate= |origyear=1925 |origmonth= |url= |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |year= |month= |publisher=E. O. Excell Company |location=Chicago |language= |isbn= |oclc=10644033 |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= |ref=SEW1925
*cite book |last=Shaw |first=William |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=The Evolution of an Endeavorer |origdate= |origyear=1924 |origmonth= |url= |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |year= |month= |publisher=Christian Endeavor World |location=Boston |language= |isbn= |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= |ref=SHA1924
*cite book |last=Smith |first=Herbert H. |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=Organized Sunday School Work in North America, 1918-1922|origdate= |origyear=1922 |origmonth= |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=5vATAAAAYAAJ&printsec=toc&source=gbs_summary_r&cad=0#PPA217,M1 |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |year= |month= |publisher= International Sunday School Council of Religious Education|location=Chicago |language= |isbn= |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= |ref=SMI1922
*cite book |last=Turner |first=Steve |authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=Amazing Grace: The Story of America's Most Beloved Song |origdate= |origyear=2002 |origmonth= |url= |format= |accessdate= |accessyear= |accessmonth= |edition= |series= |volume= |date= |year= |month= |publisher=Ecco (HarperCollins Publishers)|location=New York |language= |isbn=9780060002183 |oclc= |doi= |id= |pages= |chapter= |chapterurl= |quote= |ref=TUR2002
External links
*cite web |url=http://www.wholesomewords.org/biography/bexcell.html |title= Abridgement of Hall 1914 Excell biography | format= |publisher=Wholesome Words |quote=
*cite web |url=http://cyberhymnal.org/bio/e/x/excell_eo.htm|title= Overview of E. O. Excell, including some of his music and lyrics| format= |publisher=The Cyber Hymnal |quote=
*cite web |url=http://www.amazinggracethemovie.co.uk/story_of_the_song.php |title= Story of the song, including Excell's influence, from "Amazing Grace: The Movie"| format= |publisher=Momentum Pictures |quote=
*cite web |url=http://digital.library.msstate.edu/cdm-SheetMusic/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/SheetMusic&CISOPTR=3631&CISOBOX=1&REC=1|title= Arrangement of "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" used at McKinley funeral as published by E. O. Excell| format= |publisher=Mississippi State |quote=
*cite web |url=http://www.worldcat.org/profiles/b_s_d/lists/148207|title= List of library entries (with duplicates) where Excell is a contributor or E. O. Excell the publisher| format= |publisher=Worldcat |quote=
*cite web |url=http://www.hymnary.org/?category=tunes&sub=title&composer=excell|title=E. O. Excell tunes used in some current hymnals| format= |publisher=Calvin Hymnary Project, Grand Rapids, Michigan |quote=
*cite web |url=http://victor.library.ucsb.edu/talentDetail.php?id=44415|title=Victor discography for E. O. Excell (Composer)| format= |publisher=University of California, Santa Barbara|quote=
*cite web |url=http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=6274695|title=Photos of E. O. Excell monument and headstone at Oak Woods Cemetery, Chicago| format= |publisher=Find A Grave|quote=
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