Alan Jackson’s Top Gospel Songs

Alan Jackson is one of the most successful country artists of all time. He has also dabbled in gospel music throughout his career. Here are his top gospel songs.

Precious Memories

Precious Memories is a compilation album of gospel songs performed by American country music artist Alan Jackson. It was released on March 28, 2006, on Jackson’s own label, Alan’s Country Records. The album comprises twenty-five of Jackson’s favorite traditional gospel songs, many of which he grew up singing in his church.

Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)

“Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” is a song written by American country music artist Alan Jackson. Released in late 2001, shortly after the September 11 attacks, it became popular due to its subject matter, which was unusually serious for a country song. It won the 2002 Grammy Award for Best Country Song.

The lyrics of “Where Were You” are about the reactions of Americans to the September 11 attacks. Jackson has said that he wrote the song in about an hour on September 21, 2001, after being asked by his label to write a song about the attacks. He did not intend it as a political statement, but as a way for people to heal. The song was released to radio in October 2001 and quickly rose to prominence, becoming one of Jackson’s most successful and well-known songs.

Amazing Grace

“Amazing Grace” is a Christian hymn published in 1779, with words written by the English poet and Anglican clergyman John Newton. Newton wrote the words from personal experience. He grew up without any particular religious conviction, but his life’s course was radically changed when he was pressed into service in the Royal Navy. He became a fervent Christian, freed from slavery in an abduction, and later devoted his life to campaigning against slavery and for the missionary work of the Anglican Church.

“Amazing Grace” was published in Newton’s Olney Hymns (1779) with 11 stanzas, set to the tune of “New Britain” by American composer David Clayton-Thomas. It soon became popular both in Great Britain and America. In 1835, it was published in William Walker’s The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion as “‘Amazing Grace’ (how sweet the sound)”. The hymn grew steadily in popularity and had been recorded by more than 1,000 singers by 1841. In 2002 it was voted No.

1 on “Songs of Faith: 50 Timeless Hymns That Inspire”, a survey of songs across denominational lines.

In the 20th century it became an anthem for civil rights and political movements; Gloria Gaynor recorded an uptempo disco version of “Amazing Grace”, which reached No.

1 on Billboard magazine’s Hot Dance Club Songs chart on March 16, 1974.

It has also inspired other works including William Darby’s 1790 poem “Amazing Grace”, Mary Hoffman’s 1999 children’s book Amazing Grace, Ben Carson’s 1996 autobiography Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story, a 2005 film of the same name about Carson’s life as a neurosurgeon up to 1987, Steve Turner’s 2006 biography Amazing Grace: The Life Of John Newton,

The Old Rugged Cross

1. “The Old Rugged Cross”
2. “Amazing Grace”
3. “How Great Thou Art”
4. “He Lives”
5. “In the Garden”
6. “Peace in the Valley”
7. “Precious Memories”
8. “Wherever He Leads I’ll Go”
9. “(There’ll Be) Peace in the Valley (For Me)”
10. “Give Thanks”

How Great Thou Art

One of Alan Jackson’s most popular songs, “How Great Thou Art” is a cover of the original 1939 version by George Beverley Shea. The lyrics are based on a poem written by Swedish poet Carl Boberg in 1885. The poem was translated into English and became a hymn beloved by Christians around the world. Alan Jackson’s version of “How Great Thou Art” was released in 2006 and quickly rose to the top of the country music charts.

Will the Circle Be Unbroken

Will the Circle Be Unbroken is a song written in 1907 by Ada R. Habershon with music by Charles H. Gabriel. The song is often events, such as funerals. The song was originally titled “Dying Man’s Song” and was about a person reflecting on their life as they lay on their death bed. In the original version, the protagonist reflects on their life and wonders if they will go to Heaven or Hell. However, in later versions of the song, the focus is more on being reunited with loved ones after death.

The song has been recorded by many artists, but perhaps the most famous version is by country music legend Alan Jackson. Jackson’s version of the song was released in 2006 as part of his album Precious Memories. Jackson’s rendition of the song is a slower, more melancholy take on the classic track.

In the Garden

In the Garden is a song written by C. Austin Miles in 1912. The best-known and most recorded version was created by country music singer Alan Jackson with producing help from Keith Stegall and Mark Wright. It was released in March 1992 as the fourth single from Jackson’s album, Don’t Rock the Jukebox. This re-recording was made on February 5, 1992, at Ocean Way Recording Studios in Nashville, Tennessee. Jackson’s version features a more uptempo beat and both electric and steel guitars rather than just acoustic guitar as on the original recording

I’ll Fly Away

“I’ll Fly Away” is a song written by Albert E. Brumley and first published in 1929. It is probably best known for its use by the Chuck Wagon Gang, whose recording of the song in 1948 became a million-selling hit single and lead to more than one hundred cover versions.1
The song is ranked No. 381 on the RIAA’s “Songs of the Century” list.2

The song is about the hope of eternal life:

I’ll fly away, oh glory
I’ll fly away (in the morning)
When I die, hallelujah, by and by
I’ll fly away
O how happy I will be
When I get up to heaven to that home on high

He Lives

One of Alan Jackson’s most popular gospel songs, “He Lives”, speaks to the hope that we have in Jesus. The message is simple, yet powerful and is sure to minister to anyone who hears it.

Blessed Assurance

“Blessed Assurance” is a song written by hymn writers Fanny Crosby and Phoebe Knapp. The song was first published in 1873 and quickly became a staple in churches across America. The lyrics offer a message of hope and assurance, which is why the song has been so popular among Christians for over 140 years.

Alan Jackson’s performance of “Blessed Assurance” was released as a single in 1999 and quickly rose to the top of the gospel charts. The song has since been included on several of Jackson’s live and greatest hits albums, and it continues to be one of his most popular songs.