Cowboy Church #267

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

Today's musical selection begins with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans singing Sweet Hour of Prayer on their 1957 album of the same name. This hymn was written by William Walford. Walford was a wood craver who had little to no formal education. However, what he did have was a very close relationship with God. Those who knew him said that he knew the bible by heart and this man was even asked to share sermons at his church. One day around 1845 Pastor Thomas Salmon visited William Walford. Walford asked Salmon to write down a poem he had in his head. Salmon was so amazed by this poem that he right away sought to get it published. After Walford's death, William Bradbury wrote music for this poem and the hymn as we know it first appeared in the 1859 hymnal, Church Melodies. Bradbury had also composed music for such hymns as Just as I Am and He Leadeth Me. 

This is followed by Ricky Skaggs with Lead Me to the Rock. This comes from his 1999 gospel album, Solider of the Cross. 

Then comes Merle Haggard and The Cater Family with On the Jerico Road. This comes from Merle's 1971 gospel album, The Land of Many Churches. 

Afterwards is Skeeter Davis with Child of the King. This comes from her 1967 gospel album, Hand in Hand with Jesus. 

Next comes Johnny Cash with God is Not Dead. This is not the Newsboys song that spawned a series of movies, but rather an original song written by John himself. This song comes from John's 1969 album, The Holy Land, an album inspired by when he and his wife, June Carter Cash, took a trip to Israel. The background vocals on this song are provided by The Carter Family and The Statler Brothers, while early rock and roll star, Carl Perkins plays guitar.

Then is Nat Stuckey and Connie Smith with His Love Takes Good Care of Me. 

Today's musical selection closes with The Sons of the Pioneers with their 1948 recording of Rounded Up in Glory. In a 1972 interview Ken Griffis asked Sons of the Pioneers front man, Bob Nolan, "Well, OK. As you progressed as a group, did you use the older type songs as the basis for your programs? Or did you try to blend in more the newer things? Did you try staying with the older things?" Bob responded, "Yeah, we tried to stick strictly to the old ones and, of course, I had an idea or I felt that my songs—the ones that I was writing at the time—were authentic. I tried to keep them authentic. Western." This applied not only to the songs Bob wrote, but the songs the group recorded written by others. There was always a real cowboy feel to nearly all the songs they recorded. That is definitely true here, as this song sounds like something that would feel completely natural in an old west setting. 

Now for a message from S.M. Lockridge. 

Now for the 10th episode of The Lone Ranger TV show.

Psalm 85

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

1 You, Lord, showed favor to your land;

    you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

2 You forgave the iniquity of your people

    and covered all their sins.

3 You set aside all your wrath

    and turned from your fierce anger.

4 Restore us again, God our Savior,

    and put away your displeasure toward us.

5 Will you be angry with us forever?

    Will you prolong your anger through all generations?

6 Will you not revive us again,

    that your people may rejoice in you?

7 Show us your unfailing love, Lord,

    and grant us your salvation.

8 I will listen to what God the Lord says;

    he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants—

    but let them not turn to folly.

9 Surely his salvation is near those who fear him,

    that his glory may dwell in our land.

10 Love and faithfulness meet together;

    righteousness and peace kiss each other.

11 Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,

    and righteousness looks down from heaven.

12 The Lord will indeed give what is good,

    and our land will yield its harvest.

13 Righteousness goes before him

    and prepares the way for his steps.

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