Strange inspirations that produced popular gospel songs

  

Strange inspirations that produced popular gospel songs:

1. A Near-Death Experience and a Horse Race: "Sweet Beulah Land" (1882) - Andraé Crouch & Sandra Crouch

• Inspiration: Andraé Crouch, a renowned gospel singer and songwriter, claimed the melody for this song came to him in a dream after a car accident. The lyrics, about a heavenly paradise ("Beulah Land"), were inspired by a painting of a horse race, with the horses symbolizing the race of life towards a heavenly reward.

2. A Dove and a Hospital Room: "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" (1935) - Ethel Waters

• Inspiration: Legendary singer Ethel Waters, known more for jazz and blues, found solace in a hospital visit from a friend who shared a poem about God's care, mentioning a sparrow. Inspired, Waters collaborated with a musician friend to turn the poem into the now-beloved gospel song "His Eye Is on the Sparrow."

3. A Headline and a Sermon: "Lean on Me" (1960) - Bill Withers (originally a secular song, later adopted by gospel choirs)

• Inspiration: While the song wasn't originally gospel, it has become a gospel standard. Bill Withers, the songwriter, was inspired by a newspaper headline about people helping each other during a difficult time. He later mentioned a powerful sermon about leaning on God for support as another influence.

4. A Classroom Mishap and a Child's Plea: "Simple Things" (2002) - Don Moen

• Inspiration: Worship leader Don Moen witnessed a young student struggling to write in class. The child's frustration and plea for help ("It's the simple things in life") resonated deeply with Moen, who turned it into a song about relying on God's guidance in everyday life.

5. A Sermon About Noah's Ark: "I Can Only Imagine" (1999) - MercyMe

• Inspiration: Bart Millard, lead singer of MercyMe, was attending a youth camp when the speaker discussed heaven using the metaphor of Noah's Ark as a safe haven. Millard envisioned the beauty and peace of heaven, inspiring the song's lyrics.

These examples showcase the diverse wellsprings of inspiration for gospel music. From dreams and nature walks to current events and even the struggles of everyday life, gospel songs can be born from unexpected places, offering messages of hope, comfort, and faith.