Cowboy Church #128

 Hello my friends and welcome back to another service of Cowboy Church. 

Today's musical selection begins with Gene Autry singing Little Old Church in the Valley.  This recording comes from an episode of Gene's Melody Ranch radio show that aired on August 24, 1947. The power Chet Atkins had over a guitar is incredible. At a time when country music was mostly about the singer and the lyrics, Chet rose to great popularity with instrumental guitar music. Yet his guitar playing is so soulful and effective that it speaks to listeners in the same way as any of the great country singers. From Chet Atkins we have Take My Hand Precious Lord from his 1962 album Back Home Hymns which featured instrumental versions of classic gospel songs. This is followed by Connie Smith with Where Could I Go But to the Lord. This song was written in 1940 by James Buchanan Coats or J.B. Coats. However the inspiration for the song came years before it was written. His neighbor, Joe Keyes, was passing away and when J.B. asked him where he would spend eternity, Joe responded, "Where Could I go but to the lord." This version comes from the 1966 album,  Connie Smith Sings Great Sacred Songs. Next comes Hank Williams singing Lord, Build Me a Cabin. This is one of the lesser known hymns that Hank recorded. This song appears to be the only known song written by Corpal Curtis Stewart. It first appeared in a hymnal called Banner Songs in 1944. Though later some major artists recorded this song (such as Bill Monroe and Roy Acuff) at the time of this recording the only other known recorded version was by The Southland Dixie Quartet and was released the same year. This version of the song comes from an episode of Hank's Mother's Best radio show that aired on January 11, 1951. Next comes Johnny Cash with Oh Bury Me Not. This recording comes from John's 1994 album, American Recordings. This was his first album for the American Recordings record label. This record label was not known for country music, but rather heavy metal and rap. The Black Crows, The Beastie Boys, Sir Mix-A-Lot and  Slayer were among those he had recorded there. What drew John to this unlikely label was the complete musical freedom he would have. For this album, producer Rick Ruben had John simply record whatever songs he felt like (from any genre and any time period), just him and his guitar. This was a success and revived John's musical career which had been on a downslide commercially, critically and creatively. Reviews said that this was not just one of John's best recent albums, but one of the best albums he had ever done. John now found himself with a new young audience whose musical taste consisted of heavy metal, hip hop, punk, alternative and rap. The reason, Bury Me Not is included in this week's Cowboy Church is that it has a spoken introduction that is a prayer from the point of view of a cowboy. This is followed by The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1950 recording of Gospel Train. Today's musical selection ends with Roy Rogers with Peace in the Valley.  The hymn was written by Thomas A. Dorsey who later explained the origins of this song, “Peace in the Valley,” “It was just before Hitler sent his war chariots into Western Europe in the late 1930s. I was on a train going through southern Indiana and saw horses, cows and sheep all grazing together in this little valley. Everything seemed so peaceful. It made me question, “What’s the matter with mankind? Why can’t men live in peace?” Out of those thoughts came “Peace in the Valley.” This recording comes from Roy and his wife Dale Evans' 1973 gospel album, In the Sweet By and By.

He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He. He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Deuteronomy 32:4 

How great you are, Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears. 2 Samuel 7:22

David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the LORD, "I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, LORD, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing." 2 Samuel 24:10

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:21

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. Hebrew 13:15

Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Romans 15:30

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request. 1 Chronicles 4:10

If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us. 2 Chronicles 20:9

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Thanks for joining me come back next week for another service of Cowboy Church. Happy trails to you until we meet again.