Slow Train Coming

Bob Dylan’s Gonna Serve Somebody is a Christian song contrasting good and evil, of which we share a long sordid history. Take world history, did humanity primarily choose forgiveness or vengeance, love or hate? What do we choose today? We certainly desire to think of ourselves as just people who would freely choose what benefits others. Yet, the sad reality is we have not always lived up to this vision of ourselves.

Dylan’s song can be summed up in these brief lyrics, “Indeed you’re gonna have to serve somebody / Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord.” This got a strong reaction from fellow artists. John Lennon thought it was “embarrassing” and wrote “Serve Yourself” in response to it. Lennon’s lyrics proclaim, “You gotta serve yourself / Ain’t nobody gonna do it for you.”

Here’s a worthwhile challenge, consider our global leaders today and look back at all the historic leaders of the past. Now make an honest comparison between them. You’ll be looking a long, long time trying to find anyone who even remotely compares to the complete love and forgiveness of Christ Jesus.

Please carefully consider your choices in this brief life.

Sources: Medium + Song Facts + Andrea Piacquadio

A Living Prayer

The song, A Living Prayer was written by band member Ron Block and performed by Alison Krauss and Union Station. It was a profound ending to their 2004 triple Grammy Award-winning album Lonely Runs Both Ways. Block’s song also received an award for the Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year from the Gospel Music Association.

Krauss sweetly performs Brock’s deeply felt lyrics with a warm and subtle melody from Union Station.

In Your Love I Find Release
A Haven From My Unbelief
Take My Life And Let Me Be
A Living Prayer, My God To Thee

Sources: Wikipedia + County Thang Daily + Randee St. Nicholas

Nat King Cole

The tenderness of Nat King Cole’s silky smooth performance on Oh Holy Night is one of the most beautiful renditions you will be fortunate enough to hear this time of year. I say fortunate, because the 1847 French original, Cantique de Noel, was uniformly denounced by the church leaders after discovering the composer Adolphe Adams was Jewish and the lyricist Placide Cappeau had walked away from the church to join the socialist movement.

The English version we sing today came from an American writer named John Sullivan Dwight. He had heard it in France, still being sung by the French people. Sullivan, a staunch abolitionist, strongly identified with the third verse (not included on the Nat King Cole version): “Truly he taught us to love one another; his law is love and his gospel is peace. Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother; and in his name all oppression shall cease.”

Each Christmas, I’m thankful to Mr. Sullivan; for bringing Nat King Cole such an opportunity.

Sources: Beliefnet + Nathan Anderson

Sunday School

Released in 1971 as the second track from Willie Nelson's Yesterday’s Wine album, In God's Eyes has a timeless message from both its performer and songwriter. This simple and easy listening song reflects the Christian values Nelson once taught as a Sunday School teacher.

The first verse is about reusing to think evil against people. As sung by Nelson, an evil thought is just an evil word unspoken, in God’s eyes, He sees it this way. The second verse speaks of lending an unconditional hand to strangers, never worrying if they can repay. In the last verse, Nelson uses the biblical analogy of sheep in a meadow where now and then a lamb goes astray, but open arms should await its returning, in God’s eyes, He sees it this way.

While Yesterday’s Wine never appeared on the charts, in part due to RCA’s lack of promotion and misunderstanding for Nelson’s ‘imperfect man concept,’ even so, Nelson had no regrets and still considers it one of his best albums.

Sources: Country Thang Daily + Luke Stackpoole + Henning Witzel + Roman Nguyen + Mart Productions

Roots Music

Beautifully performed by Ry Cooder on his The Prodigal Son album and written by International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor member Carter Stanley, the song Harbor Of Love comes from the early days of Stanley’s primitive baptist roots. For him, both bluegrass and religion originated out of the remote coal and timber fields of southwestern Virginia.

As a songwriter, Stanley was known for his straightforward lyrics. On Harbor Of Love, he tells of a coming time with a great judgment morning. When a savior will welcome you home. Will you be prepared for the journey to heaven on a great ship that carries God’s chosen one’s home.

After the great ship anchor’s in the harbor of love, the song gets personal by reminding us of our condition; You’re wandering in sin away from God’s teaching. He does this not to condemn, but to continue offering us hope. Won’t you ask him to show you the way? Fall down on your knees in a chapel next Sunday and meet with your friends in heaven someday. Repeat

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Sources: Wikipedia + Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum + Anna Goncharova

Troubadour

“I Saw God Today” was released on George Strait’s 2008 certified platinum album Troubadour, winning a Grammy for Best Country Album. It was the first Grammy Award win of his career. Rodney Clawson, Monty Criswell, and Wade Kirby are the songwriters who show all the simple ways we witness God in everyday life.

In discussing the positive response to his song, Strait says, “Sometimes we take a lot of things for granted, especially anybody that’s had a child. When they first see that child — if they’re in the delivery room or not — it truly is a miracle. And you realize that all of these things that God has given us, sometimes you take it for granted. But if you just step back and take a look around, you’ll see what beauty we have around us in the things that He has created for us.”

In the end, our time on this planet is short. With a spirit of thankfulness, I sincerely hope you won't miss out on the everyday good stuff while you’re here.

Sources: Wide Open Country + Wikipedia + Johathan Borba + Tara Winstead

Handel and Jennens

George Frideric Handel composed his famous Messiah oratorio somewhere between three and four weeks in 1741. “He would literally write from morning to night,” says Sarah Bardwell of the Handel House Museum in London. The oratorio’s text was completed by well-known librettist, Charles Jennens and planned for an Easter performance the following year. “I hope [Handel] will lay out his whole Genius & Skill upon it, that the Composition may excel all his former Compositions, as the Subject excels every other Subject,” Jennens had written to a friend.

Although originally intended for Easter, it eventually became a Christmas favorite, mainly because Easter music was more prevalent at the time and the first part of Messiah was almost entirely dedicated to the birth of Christ.

Even Mozart paid homage to Handel, after re-orchestrating Messiah in 1789. He insisted that any alterations to Handel's score should not be interpreted as an effort to improve the music. “Handel knows better than any of us what will make an effect,” Mozart said. “When he chooses, he strikes like a thunderbolt.”

Sources: Smithsonian Magazine + Jerusalem engraving by William Miller

Ry Cooder

Though being a long-time fan of Ry Cooder’s contribution to the Buena Vista Social Club, I wasn’t nearly as familiar with Ry’s music until coming across his 2018 release of The Prodigal Son album. After first hearing it, my attraction to this kind of musical interpretation was almost instantaneous with Ry’s sublime electric guitar work on traditional blues, folk, bluegrass, and gospel.

While a solid case can be made for a socio-political intent on urban America with songs like Gentrification, it’d be wrong to think it's all Ry had to share on this album. Songs like Straight Street and Nobody’s Fault but Mine are centered on faith, redemption, and forgiveness. And to give you an idea of which decade many of these traditional songs originated, Straight Street, written by James W. Alexander and Jesse Whitaker was originally recorded in the 1950s by the Pilgrim Travelers.

The spirit Ry Cooder’s interpretation breathes into this eclectic group of traditional songs is remarkable. If you’re a fan of American music... don’t miss it. “It only took six decades of trying to get good at this,” then 71-year-old Cooder joked about his album’s release.

Sources: Wikipedia + Matt Botsford + U Discover Music

Van Morrison

As reviewer David Fricke from Rolling Stone once wrote, “More than just an album title, Inarticulate Speech of the Heart is an evocative, breathtaking description of the humble act of prayer.” Not only is Van Morrison’s 1983 album full of jubilant Celtic spiritualism, but also gives the listener a feeling of depth and space with its impressive instrumentation. Each track on the album is an original and while not playing every instrument, Morrison does add an impressive guitar, piano, and saxophone to the sessions.

Despite the fact this release was without a hit single, the album’s first track, Higher Than the World remains one of many great songs. Here, Morrison's fiery vocal delivery is perfectly complemented over easy-flowing keyboards. All-in-all, the whole album is highly recommended.

Sources: Miltiadis Fragkidis + Hubblesite + Wikipedia + Rolling Stone

Steve Earl

2020 has been an ongoing struggle for all of us. Maybe that's why, this Christmas I’ve been drawn to Steve Earl’s Nothing But A Child, off his Copperhead Road record. On this record, Steve blends his own free-flowing mix of gritty rock and bluegrass.

Steve’s Christmas song wasn’t written for Copperhead Road. It had originally been written for an Oak Ridge Boys record. Matter of fact, Steve credits his whole career to Oak Ridge Boys Publishing, as being the only folks in Nashville to hire him as a songwriter. Since the Oak Ridge Boys already had a wildly successful Christmas record in the 1980s, Steve was sure if he could get one of his songs on their new Christmas record, it would be financially beneficial for him and his family. Unfortunately, Steve's submission wasn’t selected. Fortunately, Steve was putting the finishing touches on Copperhead Road at the time and thought this Christmas song would make a good ending to his own record.

Critics and musicians alike raved about the first five songs on this record, while many considered the last five songs overly sentimental. According to one NY Times reviewer, the ending song on the record was little more than a ‘hokey’ Christmas song. Well, hokey or not, I've enjoyed hearing Steve's Christmas song this year and you may as well.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Sources: Steve Earl + Wikipedia + Wallpapers9

Antonio Lucio Vivaldi

Originally ordained as an Italian priest in 1703, Antonio Lucio Vivaldi later became a prolific composer who created hundreds of works including Baroque concertos. In addition to composing, he was also known as a virtuoso violinist.

Vivaldi was given the title of Master of Violin at the Devout Hospital of Mercy (an orphanage) in Venice when he was only 25. Over the next 30 years, he would compose the majority of his most famous music while employed at a hospital teaching orphans. From his short-lived career as an ordained priest, to teaching orphans, to composing wedding music for emperors and kings, Vivaldi became one of the most influential musicians of his era.

One of my favorite Vivaldi recordings, Gloria in D Major comes from the RV 589 which includes Emma Kirkby & Catherine Bott & Judith Nelson & James Bowman & Carolyn Watkinson & Simon Standage & Catherine Mackintosh & Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford & The Academy of Ancient Music & Simon Preston & Christopher Hogwood. The sound quality on this version is superb for an almost 30 year span from the RV 588 original.

Sources: Biography + FactsKing

Bethel Music & Molly Skaggs

Initially released by Bethel Music in 2019, Ain’t No Grave was as one of four promotional singles from their Victory album. It was the lead-up to the album’s release. Molly Skaggs shared the story behind the song, saying:

“The song is rooted in old-time Appalachian gospel music. It is a marriage of the old, with Brother Claude Ely’s original chorus and the new, my personal testimony of overcoming fear and shame, woven into each verse. For me, this song is steeped in the reality of Jesus and what He has done for me and my community. This is an anthem for anyone who is ready to follow Jesus and walk out of the graves in their daily life. Ain’t No Grave is a testimony of faith, a song for those who are ready to shake off the victim mentality and stand up in the truth of who they really are.” — Molly Skaggs

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Sources: Wikipedia + Daniela Turcanu

Stuart Townend & Keith Getty

This popular Christian song was written by Stuart Townend and Keith Getty in 2001. Both men are well-known songwriters of Christian hymns and contemporary worship music.

In Christ Alone was their first collaboration together. The two men initially meet at a Worship Together Conference in Dearborn, MI. After the meeting, Getty offered to send Townend some of his work.

The CD Townend later received had three melodies on it. After hearing the first one, Townend realized how brilliant is sounded, giving him an impression of an eternal, enduring quality. The same impression which became Townend’s inspiration for his credal lyrics. They tell the story of Christ Jesus and what He’s done for believers. That by God’s grace, our hope is not dependent upon what we’ve accomplished in this world. It stands on what Christ alone has accomplished for all of us.

Praise God!

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Sources: Wikipedia + Mission:Worship

Bono

Paul David Hewson was born on May 10, 1960 and is known by the stage name ‘Bono’ in the popular rock band named U2. He grew up in a religious single parent home for much of his life. Iris, his mother died from an aneurysm at her own mother's funeral when he was 14. Both he and his older brother grew up as members of the Church of Ireland in Dublin.

Bono was and still is a believer. This in addition to him being the primary songwriter for U2 explains all of the references to Jesus and scripture in many of U2’s songs. A well known example being the celebrated Pride (In The Name Of Love) on the 1984 album release of The Unforgettable Fire. It's a song about historic martyrs with Martin Luther King Jr (a devout Christian) being the primary figure, plus the unmistakable reference of Jesus being betrayed with a kiss.

The song does contain one factual error about the death of MLK being early morning, April 4, when he was actually shot at 6:01 p.m. local time. Bono has since acknowledged this mistake and sometimes sings it as ‘early evening, April 4.’

Considered to be one of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time by Rolling Stone, “Pride” has remained a mainstay of U2’s concerts since its release.

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Sources: Wikipedia + Ricardo Gomez Angel

Aretha Franklin

Amazing Grace by Aretha Franklin is considered by many critics to be one of the finest gospel albums ever recorded. On it Franklin, a 29-year old at the time and five-time Grammy Award winner, along with Reverend James Cleveland and the Southern California Community Choir produced a double platinum release.

Graced with her piano playing and five-part harmonizing, Wholy Holy was the first hymn Aretha preformed on the biggest selling disc of Franklin's entire career. It was all recorded live over two nights at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in January 1972. On it, Aretha's soulful voice and backing choir are a powerful reminder of the church meetings from a previous generation. This two-CD set is Aretha's amazing tribute to her gospel roots and her dynamic God given instrument.

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Sources: Rolling Stone + Boston Review + Wikipedia

The Heavenly Vision

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus was inspired by Lilias Trotter’s tract entitled Focused. Trotter was a successful self-taught artist and missionary friend of the hymn’s author, Helen Howarth Lemmel. First published in 1918, this hymn which was also known as The Heavenly Vision, became one of the standards in church hymnals since.

Early in her career, Lemmel was a gifted singer and later became a vocal music teacher at the Moody Bible Institute for a number of years. She died in 1961 at 97 without ever retiring from her contributions. During her lifetime, Lemmel wrote more than 500 hymns and poems.

Christian singer Lauren Daigle recorded her beautiful version of Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus for the 2018 Look Up Child album.

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Sources: Songfacts + Wikipedia + Lds Media Library

Elder David Ross

He Gave Me A Heart To Love, by Elder David Ross was recorded in New Orleans, Louisiana on June 2, 1954. It can be heard on Music From The South, Volume 9: Song And Worship.

The performer and presumed author of this song, Elder David Ross was an itinerant preacher, singer and guitar player. Both he Blind Willie Johnson, another well known itinerant singer can be heard in the Folkways Jazz Series. Elder Ross was a man of devout faith, who may have weakened his health with his many extended fasts. He was often heard on the streets of New Orleans, strumming his guitar and singing his songs on its’ busy city sidewalks.

I’m thankful this type of music has been preserved by Folkways and Steven Lance Ledbetter’s wonderful box set compilation, entitled Goodbye, Babylon. These performers and their songs were from a time long ago, in our well-worn past and remain as true today for the believers in Christ Jesus as they were back then.

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Sources: Folkways Recordings + FreeStockTextures

Robert Lowry

This well-known hymn was written by Robert Lowry, in 1876. In addition to being an established hymn writer, Lowry was also a sought after Baptist minister and professor at Bucknell University. Over the years, he pastored a number of churches in New York, Pennsylvania and Plainfield, New Jersey. Lowry always regraded his preaching as the most important contribution to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Even so, it's as a hymn writer that his ministry is best remembered today.

Nothing But the Blood of Jesus was introduced at a camp meeting in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. Ocean Grove was established by a group of Methodist clergymen who formed the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association. It became a place of retreat, worship and communion on the New Jersey seashore. Other famous hymn writers have visited Ocean Grove over the years; including Fanny Crosby, William Kirkpatrick, and Eliza Hewitt, in addition to Lowry. Today, Ocean Grove remains a go-to destination for many famous preachers, speakers and music artists.

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Sources: Liz Tolsma + Wikipedia + AFK

Broken Praise

Elevation Worship is a music ministry of Elevation Church in Charlotte, NC, led by Pastor Steven Furtick. Pastor Steven, along with lead vocalist Chris Brown are credited with writing the title track on the Hallelujah Here Below album.

In an interview with CCLI, Chris covered how the original concept for the title track came from their interest in the ancient Christian Doxology and how it seemed to relate to our heavenly Father’s desire for the imperfect praise of broken people. That imperfection being held in comparison to the praises of His heavenly host.

Musically, this lengthy track (7:03) has a slow building and solemn melody of vulnerable praise with its repeating Hallelujahs in equal sets of three. Each set representing the Doxology’s proclamation for the trinity. The last stanza ends by naming Jesus Christ our King enthroned, All the praise is Yours forevermore, Hallelujah here below, All the praise is Yours.

The entire album was recorded over a night in March 2018 at Elevation Church's Ballantyne campus in Charlotte, North Carolina, where other Elevation Worship projects have also been recorded.

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Sources: CCLI + Wikipedia + Pixabay

Kris Kristofferson

Written by Kris Kristofferson in 1972, Why Me Lord was inspired by Connie Smith’s impromptu invitation to Jimmy Snow’s church. In a YouTube video, Kristofferson retells a profound religious experience for him. After hearing the song “Help Me” by Larry Gatlin and being moved by it, he responded to an invitation from Jimmy the pastor. The invitation was as Kristofferson remembers, “If anyone is lost, please raise your hand?” Kristofferson found himself raising his hand and coming forward to meet the Jimmy without even knowing why he would do such a thing. Once there, Jimmy had him kneel and spoke words over him, Kristofferson doesn't remember to this day. At this, Kristofferson began to weep from the release he felt for a forgiveness he was unaware he needed.

If you would like to listen to Kristofferson tell about his experience, and enjoy one of his most popular songs, check out the source link below.

Why Me Lord Story - Told and Sung by Kris Kristofferson

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Source: Ash Newell Photography