The lyrics to a good Christian country song usually tell a story. In fact, in my opinion, that is what makes the song! Country music has promoted the Gospel so much so, that beginning in 1988 the Dove Awards began to award in the categories of “Country Album of the Year” and “Country Recorded Song of the Year”. Here are my top 10 picks for Christian Country Songs. They are listed in alphabetical order because to me, they are all good.
10. Believe (Brooks & Dunn)
This is a heart-warming song of the relationship between a young boy and “Old man Wrigley” who were neighbors in a small town. The old man was alone in the world surviving his wife and baby. The old man shares how he believes that one day he will see his wife and son. How wonderful is it when an old man can have such a profound impact on a young man that he remembers these powerful words in his college days as he reads the Bible:
“When I raise my hands, bow my head. I'm finding more and more truth in the words written in red. They tell me that there's more to this than just what i can see. I believe”
9. Changed (Rascal Flatts)
This is a great testimony of the saving power of Jesus. The singer tells of how easy it is to fall into bad ways but how wonderful it is the be changed forever into a new life “changed for the better”.
Favorite lyric: I hit my knees, I’m here, I stand. There I was, now here I am. Here I am, Here I am. I'm changed, Yes, I am. I’m changed for the better. Thank God, I'm changed.
8. Concrete Angel (Martina McBride)
Powerhouse Martina McBride sings of the victim of child abuse. It is about a sweet little girl who is now remembered only as tombstone that forever smiles as a “concrete angel”.
Favorite Lyric: Through the wind and the rain. She stands hard as a stone in a world that she can't rise above. But her dreams give her wings and she flies to a place where she's loved. Concrete angel
7. Go Rest High on that Mountain (Vince Gill)
Vince Gill often deals with grief by taking his guitar and writing a song. That is exactly how this one was penned. He sang it when he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009. He believes this is the song that he will be most remembered for. It is a tribute to his brother, Bob who died of a heart attack in 1993. He was awarded a Grammy Award for this song in 1995. [2]
Favorite Lyric: Wish I could see the angels' faces when they hear your sweet voice sing
6. Jesus Take the Wheel (Carrie Underwood)
After winning the American Idol competition in 2005, this was one of Carrie’s first smash hits. It is the story of a young momma who is at her wit’s end when she decides to trust her life to Jesus. Oh how much more easy our life could be if we simply trust it to the Lord before we are in dire straits.
Favorite Lyric: Save me from this road I’m on. Jesus take the wheel!
5. Just a Closer Walk with Thee (Patsy Cline)
Made popular by Patsy Cline back in 1960 this traditional gospel song has been recorded by many country singers including: Loretta Lynn, The Oakridge Boys, Willie Nelson, George Jones, Randy Travis, and Sara Evans [1]. This is song of hope as the lyrics contemplate the singer’s desire to walk in a close relationship with the Lord while they live on earth and then as they cross over into eternity to be with Him on His kingdom’s shore.
Favorite Lyric: Who with me my burden shares? None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee
4. Me and God (Josh Turner)
I love this upbeat song of hope. Josh sings about how it will be when he lives with God. I love how he places himself as a joint heir in a relationship with the Almighty Creator God.
Favorite Lyric: He’s my Father; He’s my friend … the beginning and the end. He rules the world with the staff and the rod. We’re a team, me and God.
3. Three Wooden Crosses (Randy Travis)
Have you ever driven along a highway and saw flowers or a cross? That is what I am reminded of when I hear this song. It retells the story of a bus accident that claimed the life of four people. Though there are only “three wooden crosses on the right side of the highway” that remain, a far greater legacy is left when you understand that one of them who died, a preacher, in the moments just before his death gave his Bible to the hooker who sat next to him on that bus. That hooker ended up being the mother of yet another preacher … who retells this story from the pulpit.
Favorite Lyric: That's the story that our preacher told last Sunday as he held that blood stained Bible up for all of us to see. He said, "Bless the farmer and the teacher and the preacher, who gave this Bible to my momma, who read it to me"
2. Tough as Nails (Clay Jacobs)
Clay considers his situation of “broken promises and shattered dreams”. The story in the song brings us back to the promise of Jesus. He died so we could have life. The singer finds joy and strength in Jesus. In the end we see that “life can’t be tough as nails” but Jesus is.
Favorite Lyric: You may think that life has passed you by and you feel like your well has run dry. Just take it to the one, who gave His only Son ‘cause life can't be tough as nails
1. Why Me Lord (Kris Kristofferson)
As a young girl, even though I was born and raised in the city, my girlfriend had a Daddy that loved country music. I remember hearing this song in her house often, even though her Daddy did not know the Lord. The lyrics tell of a man who questions his worthiness to merit the abundant grace that he has received from God. I love the chorus.
Favorite Lyric: Lord help me Jesus, I've wasted it so help me Jesus, I know what I am. But now that I know, that I needed you so help me Jesus, my soul’s in Your hand,
Resources-www.youtube.com[1] http ://en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Just_a_Closer_Walk_with_Thee[2] http: //www .songfacts.com/detail. php?id=5030
