Gospel music lyrics are among some of the most well known in music history. Songs such as "Amazing Grace" and "Beulah Land" can be heard in churches both south and north of the Mason Dixon line, demonstrating the incredible way that this unique flavor of music managed to cross cultural borders during a time of great civil unrest in the United States. They are by no means confined to the pews come Sunday morning, however. If a listener were to stop anywhere in the country and listen to the music of the region, secular or Christian, it's likely that he or she would find at least one piece of gospel sitting as a cornerstone of the industry.
The question that many Christians are now asking is, has this type of music lyrics gone mainstream? Has what began as a singular worship to God been desecrated by secular culture? The popular practice of taking these lyrics and incorporating them into secular performances began many years ago with the jazz artists that made up such a large portion of the musical population during the early 20th century. Since then, gospel performers have taken these lyrics and set them to melodies ranging from the traditional church style accompaniment to rock and roll and back again.
It is very rare in the 21st century to find a popular performer in any genre that has not released or performed at least one piece of gospel music. Country legends George Jones and Hank Williams (Jr. and Sr.) released a number of them throughout their long and notable careers. Popular television shows such as Hee Haw and The Grand Ol' Opry incorporated these lyrics set to a southern country twang as a part of their regular programming. Present day artists Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss, Josh Turner and Randy Travis have all set gospel music lyrics to their music on their rise to fame. Although to date the popularity of secular artists performing these has been predominant among the country music community, it cannot be expected to stay there for long.
To answer the question, have gospel music lyrics gone mainstream? Absolutely. Should they stay there? The current popularity of this music among the non-Christian population suggests that perhaps God in his infinite wisdom has taken this unique piece of culture and used it to spread his message across the globe, reaching ears that other voices might not. Will gospel music lyrics still be part a predominant component of the foundation of the industry a century from now, as they have been for the century before? Only time will tell.
Gust A. Lenglet is an accomplished author and financial advisor and has written many articles in the fields of investments; education; law, taxation, as well as religion. He is President and CEO of the HBS Financial Group, Ltd. and offers Gospel Music Articles.
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As for todays health thought-You are what you eat.
Of course the big and sad news of this weekend are the shootings that took place at Fort Hood. My heart goes out to everyone down there.
Till next time, take care
Mike Rupe Sr.
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