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Thread: Baptism Bluegrass Songs?

  1. #1
    Larry Rinehart
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    My church has asked me to play mandolin in it's first ever Bluegrass theme Sunday service. It also happens to be a Baptism Sunday. I would like to make some song recommendations, but can't think of any Bluegrass/Baptism tunes. Any recommendations are greatly appreciated. Thanks, Larry
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    I bet Shall We Gather At The River sounds good.

    There's always the Oh Brother Where Art Thou stuff, like their version of I'll Fly Away.



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    Amazing Grace, Turn Your Radio On, This World Is Not My Home, Are You Washed In The Blood?, Where The Soul Never Dies, Hold To God's Unchanging Hand ..... some of my favorite old hymns that sound good bluegrassed up. A fitting newer song that's more Country than Bluegrass is Baptism by Randy Travis.

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    "Down to the River to Pray". It is one of that O Brother Disc. I don't know how it would sound with instruments though. I've only heard it done with vocals.

  5. #5
    Larry Rinehart
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    Thanks. Down to the River to Pray was my first thought, until I re-played my Oh Brother CD to find it as an acappella tune. But, I figure someone has to have done it with instruments, right? Thanks to all for the suggestions. Larry
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    There is a song on several Bluegrass Gospel CDs (The Stained Glass Hour (Ricky Skaggs), etc.) called "River of Jordan" that has a good mandolin/guitar/bass part. #Here are the lyrics...

    http://www.bluegrasslyrics.com/louvi...dID=s43915.htm

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    Mandoholic Mike Bullard's Avatar
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    Another one is "The First Step To Heaven" by The Nashville Bluegrass Band or Ricky Skaggs and Ralph Stanley. The RS version is on the Ralph Stanley Sunday Morning CD. I have the words if you need them.
    It cost no more to go first class...You just have to pay a little longer....

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  8. #8
    Larry Rinehart
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    These recommendations have given me plenty to consider. Thanks. I actually have a few of the above mentioned songs in my humble collection of Bluegrass recordings. Thanks to all. Larry
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    Quote Originally Posted by (PGAfan790 @ Feb. 06 2005, 20:59)
    "Down to the River to Pray". It is one of that O Brother Disc. I don't know how it would sound with instruments though. I've only heard it done with vocals.
    I've got it in "E" and it sounds pretty good on guitar. I really like that song.

    got to: http://www.gospelmusic.org.uk/a-g/do...er_to_pray.htm

    See what that gives ya.




  10. #10
    Larry Rinehart
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    Thanks. I will give it a try right now. Larry
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  11. #11

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    I like the old song "50 Miles of Elbow Room" that Norman Blake does.

  12. #12
    Larry Rinehart
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    I don't have any Norman Blake in my collection. I need to change that. Thanks, Larry
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    [QUOTE]I like the old song "50 Miles of Elbow Room" that Norman Blake does.

    I guess that would be needed if were a bunch of my Pentecostal friends being baptized
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    Registered User BlueMt.'s Avatar
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    Todd Phillips "In The Pines" has a nice instrumental version of Down To The River to Pray ( Down in the valley to Pray) in the key of A. #There's a companion tab book available also.
    Eric

  15. #15
    Larry Rinehart
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    Thanks. I had not heard ot Todd Phillips. I was able to find the CD on ebay, but can uncover no hint of a tab book. Is the CD worth $20? Thanks again, Larry
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    [QUOTE= (Bradley @ Feb. 12 2005, 09:53)]
    I like the old song "50 Miles of Elbow Room" that Norman Blake does.

    I guess that would be needed if were a bunch of my Pentecostal friends being baptized
    The Carter Family dis it.

    FIFTY MILES OF ELBOW ROOM
    (F.W. McGee)
    G C
    Twelve hundred miles, its length and breadth
    G D7 G
    That four-square city stands
    C
    It's gem-set walls of jasper shine
    G D7 G
    They're not made by human hands
    C G
    One hundred miles its gates are wide
    C G
    Abundant entrance there
    C G Em
    With fifty miles of elbow room
    G D7 G
    On either side to spare.

    (Chorus)
    G
    When the gates swing wide on the other side
    C G
    Just beyond the sunset sea
    There'll be room to spare as we enter there
    D7
    There'll be room for you and room for me
    G
    For the gates are wide on the other side
    C G
    Where the fairest flowers bloom
    C G Em
    On the right hand and on the left hand
    G D7 G
    Fifty miles of elbow room.

    G
    Sometimes I'm cramped and I'm crowded here
    D7 G
    And I long for elbow room
    I long to reach for altitude
    D7 G
    Where the fairest flowers bloom
    C G C G
    It won't be long before I pass into that city fair
    C G Em
    With fifty miles of elbow room
    G D7 G
    On either side to spare.

  17. #17
    Registered User goldtopper's Avatar
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    We do "Down to the River to Pray" with instruments and it comes out great.
    My favorite is "River Jordan" as done by the Louvin Brothers. Much better than Skaggs' version IMHO. Hands down the congregation's favorite too.
    Staying Tuned

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    Registered User BlueMt.'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by (Ashville Picker @ Feb. 13 2005, 18:37)
    Thanks. I had not heard ot Todd Phillips. I was able to find the CD on ebay, but can uncover no hint of a tab book. Is the CD worth $20? Thanks again, Larry
    Janet Davis has the cd + book for $19.95. I've enjoyed the cd and learned some from the tab.
    Eric

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    Goldtopper: Beautiful song! - good to know "the Louvin Brothers still live" - Moose.

  20. #20
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    I always thought "Many Rivers to Cross" by Jimmy Cliff would kick some ### in a bluegrass version.. hey I should work on that....

  21. #21
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    "Are you washed in the blood?" "Brethren we have met to worship." and maybe "When the Roll is Called up yonder" may be some other good ones. Got tabs to all of them if ya need 'em.

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