Brad Hall: THE PREACHER'S DAUGHTER: Old path, new song

Mar. 12—This past Sunday our worship team sang a contemporary Christian song that is extremely popular called "Honey in the Rock." Mind you I love the words of this modern worship song, I immediately revert back to another version, recorded some 50 years prior by Ralph Stanley. If one wanted to do even more extensive research another version prior to that was recorded by the Carter Family in 1937. Yes, I'm a bit of an old soul, I'm somewhat of a walking jukebox. Although if I could be described as anything I'd rather be a walking red back hymnal, for obvious reasons.

Clearly these songs were penned with scripture in mind, inspired by Psalm 81. A scripture which nods toward the promise that God will abundantly bless and provide. Isn't it interesting that something as ancient and steadfast as scripture can be weaved into a song over and over again? I think that aspect is what fascinates me so much.

So often people tend to draw a line in the sand with one camp pitted against the other. Completely losing sight that music, as evolving as it is, can use the very same scripture to bless someone decades later, with a completely different sound. Who's to say one is better than the other? Anyways.

Upon hearing the "new" version of a familiar song, I grabbed my notepad and jotted down a few things that came to mind. I thought about this phrase... "old pathway, new song." I believe the pathway to Jesus isn't new, in fact it's unwavering and grounded in truth. That path, once it's found, is old and beaten down unfazed by time, culture, or dare I say even worship style. That path still leads to figurative honey in the rock, so you choose to walk it. It's an old path, and it inspires new songs.

I like to picture my old regular Baptist grandparents up singing in a little white church house sometimes. I never got to meet my great Pappaw Swain, but I know he was a handsome man who could read shape notes. Those saints "lined" out hymns for multiple reasons, but often it helped church goers who were illiterate sing and worship. Oddly enough many sanctuaries today have the words to worship songs displayed on screens so members of the congregation can sing along. Same path, folks are still walking it, new song.

I spent the evening harmonizing with Ralph Stanley, straight out of the mountains of Virginia, singing about honey in the rock that's available for me. I might listen to contemporary artist Brooke Ligertwood sing about that same rock, with manna on the ground, on the way to work tomorrow.

Old path, new song, same Jesus.

Erinn Williams is originally from Williamsburg, and now resides in Owensboro, Ky. The daughter of a teacher and a preacher, she hopes to make a difference through her words. She serves as an elementary educator in Daviess County, and writes for Owensboro Parent magazine in Western Kentucky. She can be contacted at [email protected].