Cowboy Church #20

Hello my friends and welcome back for another Cowboy Church service. 

We begin our musical selection off with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans performing the Southern Gospel classic, I'll Fly Away. Next comes The Sons of the Pioneers' 1948 recording of Rounded Up in Glory. After this comes Rex Allen's 1953 recording of I Thank the Lord. Rex co-wrote this song and it was released as the B-side to his massive gospel hit Crying in the Chapel (a song which of course would later be a massive hit for Elvis Presley). After this comes The Charlie Daniels Band performing their original country-gospel song Sunday Morning from their 1994 Christian album The Door. This is followed by Lorretta Lynn performing I'd Rather Have Jesus from her 1965 gospel album, Hymns. Next is Willie Nelson performing There is a Fountain from his 1976 gospel album, The Troublemaker. We end our musical portion of this post with Johnny Cash performing If I Give My Soul. In the liner notes for the Cash Unearthed box set Johnny Cash refers to this song's writer, Billy Joe Shaver, as his favorite writer. However in his 1979 Christmas TV special, he referred to Tom T. Hall as his favorite songwriter. Johnny loved this song but neither he nor his producer Rick Ruben felt that the song turned out right. Rick felt John was singing like he was performing to an audience rather than singing from the inside. He told John this and that is why this recording starts with John saying "Get off stage Cash." Since neither was happy with this recording it did not end up on an official album. However it is available on the excellent Cash Unearthed box set.  

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16You shall give to him freely, and your heart shall not be grudging when you give to him, because for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. Deuteronomy 15:10

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. Psalm 94:19

Thank you for joining me come back next week for more Cowboy Church. Until then happy trails to you until we meet again.  

-Michael J. Ruhland