As readers will see in this playlist, bluegrass gospel songs are written for and about a colorful cast of characters, including saints, sinners, and those who are a little bit of both.
Songs About Redemption
"Let Me Walk, Lord, By Your Side" by Ralph Stanley: A small congregation witnesses a mighty miracle when an unwelcome sinner walks in.
"When the Savior Reached Down For Me" by Jimmy Martin: Martin sings with tremendous feeling about being "lost and undone" without the love of Jesus.
"Seven Sundays In a Row" by Blue Highway: Blue Highway bassist, Wayne Taylor, wrote this touching story-song about a redemption forged in the crucible of triumph, tragedy, and time.
"Angels Rejoiced" by Nicolette Larson: Larson's version of the Louvin Brothers tune, about a different kind of deathbed conversion, is one of the most moving ever recorded.
Songs About Sinners
"Sinners Welcome" by Cadillac Sky: Progressive bluegrass sensations Cadillac Sky penned a stirring altar call for desperate people in desperate circumstances.
"Sinner" by Tim O'Brien: This unsparing look at sin through the eyes of a sinner is also one of deep empathy. As the lyrics say, "If Eve hadn’t done it/I’m sure it would've been me."
"Standing In the Need of Prayer" by Hot Rize: An upbeat classic, ripe for a sing-along, "Standing In the Need of Prayer" reminds us without preaching that, when it comes to sin, the first place anyone should look is in the mirror.
Songs About Christians and Sin
"Willing to Try" by Ralph Stanley: In a stunning, a capella number, Stanley considers -- and takes inspiration for his own Christian walk -- from some of the greatest, most self-sacrificing heroes in the Bible.
"Old Satan" by Jim Eanes: Eanes cautions saints and sinners about the consequences of living a life of radical faith -- or choosing to ignore the call to do so.
"He Ain't Never Done Me Nothin' But Good" by Darin and Brooke Aldridge: Mr. and Mrs. Aldridge expand on the subject matter of "Old Satan" with the stories of Job and Polycarp bracketing a jubilant reaffirmation of faith in the face of immense trials.
"Did Christ O'er Sinners Weep?" by The Low Country Boys: The Ulster-Scots "hillbilly gospel" group gives an exquisite interpretation of the old hymn, reaffirming that the highest example for Christians faced with sinners is Jesus' example.
Songs About Hypocrites
"Charged With Being a Christian" by Don Rigsby: Rigsby ponders the case of those who call themselves "Christian" without one shred of evidence.
"Let That Liar Alone" by The Carter Family: A welcome warning -- and wise advice -- about people who gossip and lie on an Olympic level.
"Do You Call That Religion?" by The Johnson Mountain Boys: Gentle and biblical admonishment, via a paraphrase of James 1:27, for a rogue's gallery of "Christians" who practice a religion much different from the one portrayed in the Bible.
"Then Y'Ain't" by Don Rigsby: In his second appearance on the list, and the second song from his superb CD, The Voice of God, Rigsby calls out terminally self-righteous Christians
Bluegrass Gospel For Saints and Sinners
This playlist offers encouragement, knowledge, gentle warnings, and sound advice for bluegrass fans -- the saints, the sinners, and everyone in between.
Diane Amov - Bluegrass singer/songwriter and classically-trained flautist who has written on bluegrass and American roots music since 2005.
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