A Statistical Study: Determining Southern Gospel’s Most Enduring Songs
From time to time, Southern Gospel journalists have tried different methods to determine Southern Gospel’s all-time favorite and most enduring songs and hymns.
In probably the most expansive effort to date, Singing News conducted an online poll several years ago to determine its readers’ favorite songs. While there is a distinct value to that method, it also has its weaknesses; fans’ personal favorite songs are as likely to be shaped by life in church or other factors as renditions by their favorite Southern Gospel artists. Despite its weaknesses, it is a valuable (and possibly the most valuable) metric.
However, there is another, more quantifiable method for determining a song’s ongoing impact on the genre. Are artists still recording the song on their table projects (and thus, in most cases, still singing it live)?
For this study, I consulted 207 projects consisting predominantly or entirely of hymns and classics, recorded in or since 2000. (More notes on the methodology are below.) Here is a list of the 201 songs which appeared most frequently on these table projects:
- 22 – Amazing Grace – which is to say, fully 10% of the projects in this study had a version of the song!
- 20 – How Great Thou Art – (George Beverly Shea)
- 19 – It Is Well With My Soul
- 17 – The Old Rugged Cross
- 15 – I’ll Fly Away – (Chuck Wagon Gang)
- 15 – In the Garden
- 12 – What A Friend We Have In Jesus
- 10 – I Surrender All
- 10 – Sweet Beulah Land – (Kingsmen / Squire Parsons)
- 9 – How Big is God
- 9 – I’d Rather Have Jesus
- 9 – Pass Me Not
- 9 – The Lighthouse – (Happy Goodmans / Hinsons)
- 8 – Blessed Assurance
- 8 – Great Is Thy Faithfulness
- 8 – He Hideth My Soul
- 8 – I’ll Meet You in the Morning – Chuck Wagon Gang
- 8 – Oh What A Savior – (Statesmen / Cathedral Quartet)
- 8 – Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus
- 8 – When They Ring Those Golden Bells
- 7 – He Touched Me – (Gaithers)
- 7 – Hide Thou Me
- 7 – Jesus is Coming Again
- 7 – Tell Me the Story of Jesus
- 7 – The Love Of God (hymn)
- 6 – Gentle Shepherd
- 6 – Heaven’s Jubilee – (Speer Family)
- 6 – I Love to Tell the Story
- 6 – Just As I Am
- 6 – Little Is Much
- 6 – The Eastern Gate
- 6 – The Lord’s Prayer
- 6 – There is a Fountain
- 6 – Till the Storm Passes By
- 6 – Victory In Jesus
- 6 – When the Roll is Called Up Yonder
- 5 – Because He Lives – (Gaithers)
- 5 – Beyond The Sunset
- 5 – Boundless Love – (Cathedral Quartet)
- 5 – Farther Along
- 5 – First Day in Heaven
- 5 – Give the World a Smile
- 5 – Glory To His Name
- 5 – Goodbye, World, Goodbye
- 5 – Happy Rhythm – (Statesmen)
- 5 – He Set Me Free
- 5 – I Go To The Rock
- 5 – I Need Thee Every Hour
- 5 – I Never Shall Forget the Day
- 5 – I Wouldn’t Take Nothing For My Journey Now – (Happy Goodmans)
- 5 – I’ll Have a New Life
- 5 – I’m Feelin’ Fine
- 5 – I’m Too Near Home
- 5 – Jesus Paid It All
- 5 – Just a Little Talk with Jesus
- 5 – Just a Little While
- 5 – Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
- 5 – Old Country Church – (Blackwood Brothers)
- 5 – Rock Of Ages
- 5 – Sheltered in the Arms of God
- 5 – Softly and Tenderly
- 5 – Sweet By & By
- 5 – Thanks To Calvary
- 5 – The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power – (Andraé Crouch)
- 5 – The Man Upstairs – (Blackwood Brothers)
- 5 – The Star Spangled Banner
- 5 – The Sweetest Song I Know
- 5 – Through it All
- 5 – What a Day That Will Be
- 5 – What a Lovely Name – (Happy Goodmans)
- 5 – When Morning Sweeps the Eastern Sky
- 5 – Who Am I
- 5 – Will The Circle Be Unbroken
- 4 – At Calvary
- 4 – Champion Of Love – (Cathedral Quartet)
- 4 – Crown Him King
- 4 – Does Jesus Care?
- 4 – Echoes From the Burning Bush
- 4 – Glory Road – (Kingsmen)
- 4 – God Bless America
- 4 – Going Home
- 4 – He Pilots My Ship – (Happy Goodmans / Hinsons)
- 4 – He’s a Personal Savior
- 4 – Higher Ground
- 4 – His Eye is on the Sparrow
- 4 – How Beautiful Heaven Must Be
- 4 – I Feel Like Traveling On
- 4 – I Know He Heard My Prayer
- 4 – I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
- 4 – I Wanna Know
- 4 – I Will Praise Him
- 4 – I’ve Got That Old Time Religion
- 4 – If That Isn’t Love – (Rambos)
- 4 – If We Never Meet Again
- 4 – In The Sweet Forever – (Perfect Heart)
- 4 – Jesus Saves
- 4 – Joshua Fit ‘De Battle Of Jericho
- 4 – Life Will Be Sweeter Some Day – (Cathedral Quartet)
- 4 – Life’s Railway To Heaven
- 4 – Lord, Feed Your Children
- 4 – Mansion Over The Hilltop
- 4 – Meeting In the Air
- 4 – More About Jesus
- 4 – My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me
- 4 – No One Ever Cared
- 4 – Peace in the Valley
- 4 – Precious Memories
- 4 – Redeemed
- 4 – Roll On Jordan
- 4 – Send The Light
- 4 – Shout to the Lord
- 4 – Step Into the Water – (Cathedral Quartet)
- 4 – The Promise
- 4 – This World is Not My Home
- 4 – Wait Till You See Me In My New Home
- 4 – We’ll Soon Be Done
- 4 – When They Ring the Bells of Heaven – (Happy Goodmans)
- 4 – Won’t It Be Wonderful There
- 4 – Wonderful Grace Of Jesus – (Cathedral Quartet)
- 3 – A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
- 3 – And Can It Be
- 3 – At The Cross
- 3 – Battle Hymn Of The Republic
- 3 – Blood Washed Band – (Cathedral Quartet)
- 3 – Burdens are Lifted at Calvary
- 3 – Camping In Canaan’s Land
- 3 – Can He, Could He, Would He – (Cathedral Quartet)
- 3 – Christ the Lord is Risen Today
- 3 – Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
- 3 – Everybody Will Be Happy Over There
- 3 – Get Away Jordan – (Statesmen)
- 3 – Gettin’ Ready to Leave This World
- 3 – God Leads Us Along
- 3 – God Made a Way
- 3 – God Walks the Dark Hills – (Happy Goodmans)
- 3 – God Will Take Care of You
- 3 – Great Is The Lord – (Michael W. Smith)
- 3 – Had It Not Been – (Happy Goodmans)
- 3 – Hard Times Come Again No More
- 3 – He Keeps Me Singing
- 3 – He’ll Hold My Hand
- 3 – He’s Alive – (Don Francisco)
- 3 – He’s My King
- 3 – Heaven
- 3 – Heaven Came Down
- 3 – Holy Ground
- 3 – Holy, Holy, Holy
- 3 – How About Your Heart – (Blackwood Brothers)
- 3 – How Long Has It Been
- 3 – I Must Tell Jesus
- 3 – I Sing the Mighty Power of God – (Couriers)
- 3 – I Want to be More Like Jesus
- 3 – I Was There When It Happened
- 3 – I Will Sing Of My Redeemer
- 3 – I’ll Tell It Wherever I Go
- 3 – I’m Free
- 3 – I’m Going There
- 3 – Jerusalem – (Hoppers)
- 3 – Joy Unspeakable
- 3 – Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee
- 3 – Just A Closer Walk
- 3 – Keep on the Firing Line
- 3 – Let Freedom Ring – (Gaithers)
- 3 – Looking For a City
- 3 – Love Lifted Me
- 3 – Master Builder – (Cathedral Quartet)
- 3 – Miracles Will Happen On That Day
- 3 – Move That Mountain
- 3 – My Jesus I Love Thee
- 3 – My Savior First Of All
- 3 – Near The Cross
- 3 – No Not One
- 3 – Now I Have Everything
- 3 – Oh Come Angel Band
- 3 – Oh My Lord What a Time – (Statesmen)
- 3 – On That Judgement Day
- 3 – On The Jericho Road
- 3 – Plan of Salvation – (Cathedral Quartet)
- 3 – Someday
- 3 – Something Within
- 3 – Stand By Me (spiritual)
- 3 – Standing on the Promises
- 3 – Sweet Jesus
- 3 – Sweet, Sweet Spirit
- 3 – The Joy of Heaven
- 3 – The Prettiest Flowers Will Be Blooming
- 3 – There is a River
- 3 – There’s Room At The Cross
- 3 – To God Be The Glory
- 3 – Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
- 3 – Unclouded Day
- 3 – Up Above My Head
- 3 – Walkin’ in Jerusalem
- 3 – We’ll Understand it Better By and By
- 3 – What a Beautiful Day – (Happy Goodmans)
- 3 – What a Meeting – (Speer Family)
- 3 – When He Was On the Cross – (Florida Boys)
- 3 – When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
- 3 – When They Call My Name
- 3 – When We All Get To Heaven
- 3 – Whispering Hope
Conclusion
Clearly, our genre still pulls deeply from the rich reservoir of English-language hymnody, as hymns clearly dominate this list.
Besides songs recognized as hymns, songs popularized by four groups continue to have the strongest influence: The Cathedrals, the Gaithers (Bill Gaither Trio / Gaither Vocal Band), the Happy Goodmans, and the Statesmen. Other groups, like the Blackwood Brothers, Speer Family, and Rambos, had respectable showings, but those four had the strongest influence.
An interesting side note is the songs that did not quite make the list. Several well-known classics were each on two eligible projects: “I Bowed On My Knees and Cried Holy,” “He Looked Beyond My Fault,” “Look for Me at Jesus’ Feet,” and “Nothing But the Blood” were each on two eligible projects included in the research. Keep in mind that this research was on a statistically significant sampling; undoubtedly more than three could be found, but they did not occur three or more times in the 200+ albums consulted.
For additional information about methodology and sources, continue reading.
Methodology
The focus of the research was on table projects recorded by Southern Gospel groups with a national presence, both major-label groups and prominent independent groups, for the twelve-year period of 2000 through 2011. Most projects defined as table projects for the purposes of this research consisted entirely of hymns and Southern Gospel classics; some had a few newer songs mixed in, but had to meet a 50% hymns & classics threshold to be included. For the purposes of this research, the following albums were not included: Compilations, Christmas albums, and live albums in cases where most or all of the eligible songs performed were already on the list from a previous studio project.
It is crucial to understand that this was a sampling. With the thousands of regional groups who perform and record, it would be an impossible task to find every rendition of every song. That said, this list covers most of the eligible projects by Southern Gospel’s most prominent groups, and contains a respectable sampling from groups with regional followings.
Every effort was made to catch the same song listed under multiple variations (e.g., with and without “the”), and to identify multiple songs that shared a common title. However, it is quite possible that one or two slipped through the cracks.
Sources Used
The following 207 albums were included in this sampling:
- All Star Quartets – Hymns
- Allison Durham Speer – I’m Glad
- Allison Durham Speer – Unclouded Day
- Allison Durham Speer – This Old House
- Andrew Ishee – Songs Of Prayer
- Ball Brothers – Vocalized
- Ball Brothers – Simplified
- Greg Bentley – Psalms, Hymns, & Spiritual Songs
- Blackwood Brothers – Rock Of Ages – Hymns Of Faith
- Blackwood Brothers – Cape Coral Live
- Blackwood Brothers – 75 Years – The Song Will Go On
- Blackwood Quartet – The Way It Used To Be
- Blackwood Quartet – A Blackwood Homecoming
- Booth Brothers – Pure Southern Gospel
- Booth Brothers – Harmony
- Booth Brothers – Carry On
- Booth Brothers – 9
- Booth Brothers / Greater Vision / Legacy Five – Jubilee
- Booth Brothers, Legacy Five, And Greater Vision – Jubilee Two
- Brian Free & Assurance – Timeless Hymns & Classics
- Brian Free & Assurance – Acappella
- The Browns – Heritage Hymn Collection, Volume 1
- Christian Davis – Make It Real
- Chuck Wagon Gang – Remembering The Old Songs
- Chuck Wagon Gang – Live in Concert Kings Mountain, NC Disc 1
- Chuck Wagon Gang – Live in Concert Kings Mountain, NC Disc 2
- Chuck Wagon Gang – Reminiscing
- Chuck Wagon Gang – Keep Travelin’ On
- Collingsworth Family – Silver And Ivory
- The Couriers – The Real Deal
- The Crabb Family – Blur The Lines
- Crist Family – Gospel Classics
- Cumberland Quartet – Golden Gospel Favorites
- Daybreak Quartet – Hymns
- The Diplomats – Hymns Volume 1
- Dixie Echoes – Reunion
- Dixie Echoes – Press On
- Dixie Echoes – The Old Fashioned Way
- Dixie Echoes – A New Chapter
- Dixie Echoes – Sounds of Sunday
- Dixie Echoes – So Many Reasons
- Dixie Echoes – I’d Rather Have Jesus
- Dixie Echoes – Golden Celebration
- Dixie Melody Boys – Request Time
- Dixie Melody Boys – Vintage
- Dixie Melody Boys – Like Never Before
- Dixie Melody Boys – Live at Pigeon Forge
- Dixie Melody Boys – Hymns
- Dixie Melody Boys – Smooth & Easy
- Dixie Melody Boys – Traditions
- Dixie Melody Boys – Back To The Good Ole Days
- Dixie Melody Boys – Serenade
- Dixie Melody Boys – Singing The Classics
- Doran Ritchey – Surrender
- Dove Brothers Quartet – Flying High
- Dove Brothers Quartet – Every Time I Feel The Spirit
- Dove Brothers Quartet – The Old Country Church
- Dove Brothers Quartet – You Can’t Stop God From Blessing Me
- Dove Brothers Quartet – Tribute to Mosie Lister
- Dove Brothers Quartet – Shout It Out
- Ernie Haase & Signature Sound – Building a Bridge
- Ernie Haase & Signature Sound – Glory To His Name
- Ernie Haase & Signature Sound – The Ground Is Level
- Ernie Haase & Signature Sound – Influenced
- Ernie Haase & Signature Sound – Influenced: Spirituals & Southern Classics
- Ernie Haase & Signature Sound – A Tribute to the Cathedral Quartet
- Five Broke Single Boys – Five Broke Single Boys
- Florida Boys – Something To Remember
- Florida Boys – Sing Your Blues Away
- Florida Boys – Keep On Singing
- Freedom – Hymns of Freedom
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Good News
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Harmony in the Heartland
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Irish Homecoming
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Memphis Homecoming
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Oh, My, Glory!
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Whispering Hope
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – A Billy Graham Music Homecoming – Vol 1
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – London Homecoming
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – What A Time!
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Freedom Band
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – God Bless America
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Let Freedom Ring
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – New Orleans Homecoming
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Red Rocks Homecoming
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Rocky Mountain Homecoming
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Build A Bridge
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Journey to the Sky
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Passin’ The Faith Along
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Jerusalem Homecoming
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Canadian Homecoming
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Live From Toronto
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Amazing Grace
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Gospel Bluegrass Homecoming Volume 1
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – How Great thou Art
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Country Bluegrass Homecoming Volume One
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Homecoming Picnic
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Rock of Ages
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Joy in My Heart DVD
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Nashville Homecoming dvd
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Count Your Blessings
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Giving Thanks
- Gaither Homecoming Friends – Alaskan Homecoming – Live
- Gaither Vocal Band – A Cappella
- Gene McDonald – In Times Like These
- Gene McDonald – I Have Returned
- George Younce – Day By Day
- Gerald Wolfe – Keys To Quiet Places
- Gold City – Amazing Grace: A Hymn Collection
- Gold City – Camp Meetin’
- Gold City – Heaven
- Gold City – A Collection Of Favorites, Volume 1
- Greater Vision – The Church Hymnal Series Volume Three
- Greater Vision – The Church Hymnal Series Volume 4
- Greater Vision – Hymns Of The Ages
- Greater Vision – Memories Made New
- Greater Vision – Songs of the 1900s
- Greg Howlett – Portraits of Hope
- Hayes Family – For His Glory
- Hayes Family – Hymns of the Faith
- HisSong And Christian Davis – Christian Brothers Tour
- Homeland Quartet – Homeland Harmony
- Homeland Quartet – Songs From The Southland
- Hope’s Call – Beyond The Music
- The Hoppers – Unforgettable
- The Isaacs – Songs Of The Faith
- The Isaacs – A Cappella
- The Isaacs – … Naturally: An Almost A Cappella Collection
- Joseph Habedank – Joseph
- The Keetons – Bandages For Your Ears
- The Keetons – The Dan Keeton Quartet Influenced
- Kim Collingsworth – Sunday Morning Ivories Vol. 1
- Kim Collingsworth – Sunday Morning Ivories Vol. 2
- Kim Collingsworth – Personal
- Kingdom Heirs – Off The Record
- The Kingsmen – Born Again
- The Kingsmen – Honoring the Heritage Vol 3
- Legacy Five – Heritage Vol. 1
- Legacy Five – Songs We Used to Sing
- Legacy Five – Heritage Volume III
- Legacy Five – A Cappella
- Legacy Five – A Little Taste of Heaven
- Legacy Five – Know So Salvation
- Liberty Quartet – Roll On
- Liberty Quartet – Timeless Treasured Hymns
- Liberty Quartet – Old Time Gospel Songs, Vol. 1
- Liberty Quartet – Timeless Treasured Hymns 2
- Liberty Quartet – Say it Again
- Liberty Quartet – Truckin’ On – Royce Mitchell
- LordSong – Acappella
- Mark Trammell Trio – Supply
- Mark Trammell Trio – Love To Tell The Story
- Mark Trammell Trio – Something Good
- Mark Trammell Trio – Journey Thus Far
- Mark Trammell Trio/Quartet – Vintage Gospel
- Mark Trammell Quartet – Treasures
- Mercy’s Mark Quartet – Southern Selections Volume One
- Mercy’s Mark Quartet – Southern Selections Volume Two
- Mike Bowling – Influenced & Inspired: Remembering Kenny Hinson
- N’Harmony – Voices A Cappella
- N’Harmony – Favorites
- The New Gospel Singing Caravan – Keeps on Rolling Along
- Old Friends Quartet – Encore
- Old Friends Quartet – Feelin’ Fine
- Old Paths – Journey Down The Old Path 1
- Old Paths – Journey Down The Old Path Volume Two
- Paid In Full – Sounds of Home
- Paid In Full – Sounds Of Faith
- Palmetto State Quartet – When He Blessed My Soul
- Palmetto State Quartet – One More Time
- Palmetto State Quartet – Gospel Quartet Favorites
- The Perrys – Hits & Hymns Volume 1
- The Perrys – Hits & Hymns Volume II
- The Perrys – Remembering the Happy Goodmans
- Phil Cross – Focus on Hymn
- Phil Cross – Fresh Anointing
- Poet Voices – Hymns for the Journey
- Poet Voices – Timeless 1
- Randy Byrd – What You Hear is What You Get
- Roger Bennett and Friends – Parade of Pianos 2004
- Roger Bennett and Friends – Parade of Pianos 2005
- Roger Bennett and Friends – Parade of Pianos 2006 Disc 1
- Roger Bennett and Friends – Parade of Pianos 2006 Disc 2
- Roy Webb – You Raise Me Up
- Roy Webb – Timeless
- Songfellows Quartet – Hymns Of The Homeland
- Southern Sound – Reflections . . . A Tribute
- Spoken 4 – Live
- Spoken 4 – That’s My Boy
- Stewart Varnado – The Southern Gospel Players
- Stewart Varnado – The Southern Gospel Players Volume 2
- Talley Trio – Encore
- The Talley Trio – Praise For The Ages
- Talley Trio – Songs You Know By Heart
- Tribute Quartet – Hit Replay
- The Trio (Anthony, Kirk, & Ivan) – Back By Popular Demand
- The Trio (Anthony, Kirk, & Ivan) – Havin’ A Good Time
- Triumphant Quartet – Southern Gospel – Quartet Style
- Triumphant Quartet – 4 Guys & A Piano Player Vol. 1
- Triumphant Quartet – 4 Guys & A Piano Player Vol. 2
- Triumphant Quartet – Past To Present
- Triumphant Quartet – You Better Hurry Up
- Triumphant Quartet – Treasures
- Triumphant Quartet – Look To God
- Various Artists – Remembering the Greats CD 1
- Various Artists – Remembering the Greats CD 2
- Voices Won – The Basics