Old Time Country Gospel: The Classic Acoustic Songbook

There is a unique soul in the sound of a country singer turning their voice toward the heavens. This collection of old time country gospel songs celebrates the intersection of faith and the high-lonesome sound of the acoustic guitar.

From the outlaw spirit of Johnny Cash to the timeless storytelling of Hank Williams and the smooth delivery of Randy Travis, we’ve gathered 45+ acoustic arrangements of the most beloved country gospel classics.

These guides are designed to help you capture the authentic, stripped-back feel of these hymns, making them perfect for your next performance or a quiet moment of worship at home.

Everybody Talks To God is also a track from the 2021 album Frayed At Both Ends. The song was written byCraig Monday and Chris Wallin. This song strangely enough had been written more than 20 years ago but had never been recorded by anyone.

For some reason this song was never released as a single.

Angel Flying Too Close To The Ground was written by Willie Nelson and appeared in the movie Honeysuckle Rose which came out in 1980, starring Willie. Willie had a #1 hit with this song.

Allison Moore never recorded this one but there is footage of her singing this in concert. Alison Krauss however, did record a version of this song. 

Rattlesnake Preacher ... info soon.

I Saw The Light ... info soon.

That's What It's Like To Be Lonesome is a country song by Bill Anderson from 1958. It was his first big hit, reaching number 12 on the country music charts. The song was recorded in Nashville and produced by Owen Bradley.

Ray Price also released a version of the song that same year. Anderson's single was put out by Decca Records but wasn't part of an album at first. It stayed on the charts for 17 weeks, helping to launch Anderson's career as a country music artist.

God Gave Me You was released first by the writer of the song, Dave Barnes in 2010. A year later it was picked up by Blake Shelton who took the song to #1 in both Canada and the US.

His track can be found on the album Red River Blue. In the music video you'll see Miranda Lambert on the night before Blake proposed to her. But as we know know, that marriage never lasted. Bryan White also recorded a song with the same title in 1999 but it's not the same song.

A heartfelt acoustic tune with rich, melodic playing and thoughtful lyrics.

Jesus Got A Tight Grip is from Blake Shelton's 2019 album called "Gods Country". Blake already has a #1 from this album with the song God's Country.

A video performance of this song was released on youtube in mid Oct 2019. I suspect in a few short months this song will do well on the charts.

Play along with this upbeat, gospel-influenced country track featuring classic chord patterns.

Believe is a poignant and powerful ballad that tells the story of an elderly man named "Old Man Wrigley" who regularly attends church. The song recounts a conversation between a young boy and the old man, where the boy asks about a scar on the man's hand. Old Man Wrigley proceeds to share a touching and miraculous tale about how he received the scar and how he came to "believe" in something greater than himself.

"Believe" topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and also crossed over to the mainstream Billboard Hot 100 chart, reaching a wide audience beyond the country music fan base. The song earned Brooks & Dunn a Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 2006.

Satan's Gotta Get Along Without Me is a gospel-infused country song that was recorded by Buck Owens for his 1966 album "Dust On My Mothers Bible." The song was co-written by Owens and one of his guitar players Red Simpson.

The lyrics of the song describe the singer's commitment to living a righteous life and turning away from sin and temptation. The song's gospel-inspired message make it a unique addition to Owens' discography.

Musically, "Satan's Gotta Get Along Without Me" features Owens' signature rhythm and twangy sounding guitar. The song also features backing vocals by Owens and The Buckaroos, which give the song a lively, upbeat feel.

The song however was never released as a single.

I May Never Get To Heaven  was released in 1979 and this waltz-time ballad reached number one, being another example of Conway’s "soft power" style.

The lyrics use religious imagery, with the narrator claiming that holding his partner is as close to heaven as he might ever get. It’s a romantic, slightly self-deprecating song that fit perfectly into the "Lover" persona Twitty cultivated.

The pedal steel work on this track is particularly weeping and effective.

Plastic Jesus ... info soon.

Chord sheet and video lesson contained in the zip file below.

Heaven Only Knows ... info soon

Where Could I Go But To The Lord was a track on Emmylou's album entitled Angel Band, which was a live acoustic album featuring Jerry Douglas, Vince Gill, Mark O'Connor, Carl Jackson and Emory Gordy Jr.

Wings Of A Dove was written in 1958 and recorded by Husky in 1960. 10 weeks at #1 on the country charts and #12 on the Hot 100. Found on "The Hits Of Ferlin Husky" album 1963.

This one I play with a capo 2nd fret in standard tuning while playing a root down up down up bass down up down up and repeat rhythm pattern. Some lead with the chords D, G and A7.

This World Is Not My Home ... info soon.

Pushing Up Daisies can be found on the 2001 album entitled Scarecrow.

This song was never released as a single.

Me And Jesus is a song written by Tom T Hall and recorded by George Jones for his album Hallelujah Weekend released in the spring on 1990.

The song was never released as a single.

The Window Up Above ... info soon.

Walk Through This World With Me was a #1 hit for George Jones back in 1967. George had 57 songs on the charts by this time in his career and this was hit 4th chart topper.

The song can be found on the album "We Found Heaven Right Here On Earth At 4033".

God And Country Music as of Jan 2022, was one of three last singles released by George Strait which was released back in 2019 from his album Honky Tonk Time Machine. The song reached #36 on the country charts. 

George Strait's last top 10 was back in 2012 and his last #1 was in 2008.

Love Without End Amen came out in 1990 from the "Livin' It Up" album. Of all the George Strait hit songs over the years, most spent only one week at the top of the country charts. But this one spend a whopping 5 weeks tie-ing a record set by Dolly Parton 13 years earlier in 1977.

The song also reached #1 in Canada.

Three Nails And A Cross hails from the "Here For A Good Time" album which was released in 2011. 

George co-wrote this song with his son, Dean Dillon and Bobby Boyd.

I Saw The Light was released as a single in 1948 and was the 2nd song Hank had recorded for his new label MGM. The song did not chart but has gone on to become a standard country gospel tune down through the decades.

Between Heaven And Hell track can be found on the 1995 album entitled "Hog Wild"

This song was never released as a single.

Heaven Can't Be Found is a poignant, philosophical track featured on Hank Williams Jr.’s 1981 album, The Pressure Is On. Released on August 17, 1981, the song was not issued as a single and therefore did not appear on the Billboard Hot 100 or Country singles charts.

However, the album itself was a massive success, eventually reaching Platinum status.

The song is notable for its introspective lyrics, which depart from Williams' more aggressive "outlaw" persona to explore spiritual longing and the difficulty of finding peace in a modern, cynical world. Interestingly, the track showcases Bocephus’s vocal versatility, leaning into a soulful, blues-inspired delivery that became a hallmark of his peak era in the early 1980s.

Where The Soul Of Man Never Dies was an old hymn that was recorded for the 1996 album The Three Hanks. Supposedly the money from the album was to help Hank Williams III pay off his child support debts.

This track was never released as a single to my knowledge. 

Heaven Dont Want Me And The Devil Ain't Done ... this song is not on this particular album as it appears these guys were hamming it up in bar and just jammin with this one and have not officially recorded the song in a studio setting.

Thy Will Be Done ... info soon.

Video lesson, demo and chord sheet contained in the zip file below.

I Will Cross Over The River is a track found on the John Anderson album 40th Anniversary Of Swingin'.

The track was never released as a single to my knowledge.

Beautifully Broken is a soundtrack song from a movie of the same name which was released in 2018.

It does not appear this song was a single release.

Ain't No Grave is a poignant and spiritually charged song with a unique history. Originally penned by 12-year-old Claude Ely, who was battling tuberculosis in 1934, the song took on new life when Johnny Cash recorded his version in 2003, shortly before his passing.

The track, featured on Cash's album "American IV," carries a profound sense of mortality and transcendence, reflecting Cash's deep connection to spiritual themes in his later works. Remarkably, the release of Cash's rendition occurred posthumously, adding an additional layer of significance to the song.

Flesh And Blood is a standout single from Johnny Cash's 1970 album "I Walk the Line." This evocative song reached an impressive #1 on the charts in both Canada and the United States, attesting to its widespread popularity.

The track showcases Cash's signature deep voice and heartfelt delivery, adding a personal touch to the lyrics. "Flesh and Blood" delves into themes of love and connection, exploring the depth of human relationships.

"Flesh and Blood" remains a testament to Johnny Cash's enduring influence and his ability to create music that speaks to the human experience.

Ghost Riders In The Sky is a cowboy song written back in 1948 by a man named Stan Jones. Johnny Cash recorded the song for his 1979 album Silver.

The song peaked at #2 on the country charts for Johnny Cash.

Others who recorded the song were The Blue Brothers, Bing Crosby and Burl Ives to name a few.

Sunday Morning Coming Down was written by Kris Kristofferson and was first recorded by Ray Stevens in 1969.

Johnny Cash performed the song on his television show and it became a track on his 1970 album The Johnny Cash Show. The song was also released as a single and hit #1 on the country charts and won a CMA award that year.

Mary Did You Know is a Christmas song from Kathy Mattea's 1993 album "Good News." Written by Mark Lowry in 1984 and Buddy Greene in 1991, it was first recorded by Michael English.

Kathy Mattea's rendition won the Grammy Award for Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album. The song reflects on the relationship between Mary and her son, Jesus, and has become a modern Christmas classic, covered by numerous artists across genres.

Over the years, "Mary Did You Know" has been recorded by many, including Wynonna Judd and Kenny Rogers on Rogers' holiday album "The Gift." It reached No. 55 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.

Sometimes Angels Can't Fly is a song that was also on the album The Ranch which was Keith's early band before going solo and doesn't appear to have even been released as a s single.

Why Me  is a track from the 1972 album Jesus Was  A Capricorn.

You Gave Me A Mountain is a powerful and emotional ballad that has become one of Marty Robbin's most beloved songs. The song was written by Marty in 1969 and it tells the story of a man who has faced many challenges in his life but finds strength and resilience through his faith and love.

Robbins' version of the song features his signature smooth vocals, backed by a simple yet effective arrangement that builds in intensity as the song progresses. The lyrics of the song are deeply personal and introspective, reflecting the struggles and triumphs of the human spirit.

"You Gave Me a Mountain" was released as a single in 1971 and became a hit on both the country and pop charts. The song has been covered by many other artists over the years, including Elvis Presley, who recorded a version of the song in 1973 that also became a hit.

Amazing Grace ... info soon

Pray is a track on Merle Haggard's 2007 album entitled The Bluegrass Sessions. The song is about focusing on others and not on yourself.

Silver Wings was originally released on the 1969 A Portrait of Merle Haggard album,.

“Silver Wings” was never officially issued as a single, but it became one of Haggard’s most beloved tracks. The soaring melody and emotional lyrics made it a favorite for both fans and other artists, and it has since become a classic, often covered in tribute performances.

Its enduring popularity stands as a testament to its emotional resonance despite not charting.

Walk On Faith ... info soon.

Awake My Soul ... info soon.

Mansion Over The Hilltop has been recorded by many artists over the years and this version here is by Paul Overstreet from the album Country Salutes Gospel.

I Made Peace With God ... info soon.

Shouting On The Hills Of Glory ... info soon.

Chords Sheet, Demo and Lesson in the zip file below.

Forever And Ever Amen ... info soon.

I'm Gonna Have A Little Talk With Jesus ... info soon.

Jesus On The Mainline ... info soon.

Just A Closer Walk With Thee was recorded back in 2003 for the album Worship And Faith. The earliest known recording of this number was back in 1941.

Randy Travis never released this one as a single.

The Heart Of Worship  ... info soon.

Three Wooden Crosses ... info soon.

Unclouded Day ... info soon.

Gone Home ... info soon.

Somebody's Prayin ... info soon.

In The Time That You Gave Me ... info soon.

Full tutorial lesson and chord sheet contained within the zip file below.

One Angel is a song from Rory's album Gentle Man from 2011 and features a duet with long time friend and country icon, Dolly Parton.

This song was never released as a single.

Answer To My Prayers hails from Skip's 1997 album Until I Found You. One of two singles released and this one made to #66 on the US country chart.

The Gospel According To Luke was another successful song from Skip's 1988 album The Coast Of Colorado by reaching #10 in the US and #11 in Canada.

The Devils Right Hand ... info soon.

Heaven's Just A Sin Away was a #1 hit for The Kendall's back in 1977 from their album of the same name. They also won a Grammy Award for best country performance by a duo.

The song has also been covered by Kelly Willis and John Forgerty.

I play this one in standard tuning with a root down root up down up and repeat rhythm pattern and a few riffs. The chords needed are G, C, A7, D and a D7.

I Find Jesus ... info soon.

Bring Out The Bible ... info soon.

Video file with lesson and demo and pdf chord sheet in zip file below.

If I Was Jesus .... info soon.

The Keeper Of The Stars is from the Tracy Byrd "No Ordinary Man" album from 1994 but was not written by Tracy Byrd but instead was written by Dickey Lee, Karen Staley, and Danny Mayo

The track was released as a single in 1995 and it reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. It also won an ACM Award for Song Of The Year a year after its release.

The official music video features Byrd singing the song in a beautiful outdoor setting, with images of stars, planets, and galaxies superimposed on the screen.

 The album version is a bit higher than the single version as Byrd did a second recording a bit lower as he felt more comfortable in that key vocally. A third recording was done for the 2001 album "Ten Rounds". 

Lord Have Mercy On The Working Man was a top 10 from Travis Tritt from his album T-R-U-O-B-L-E when it was released in 1992 reaching #5 in the US.

The song hit #10 in Canada as well.

If Jesus Comes Tomorrow Then What ... info soon.

Prayin ... info soon.

Go Rest High On That Mountain to the surprise of many, was not a #1 song for Vince Gill. In fact in the US it peaked at #14 and in Canada it did make the top 10 reaching #7 on the country charts.

Vince Gill was writing this song in 1989 after the death of Keith Whitley but never finished the song. A few years later his brother Bob died of a heart attach and that prompted Vince to finish the song. Backup vocals on this were from great friends Ricky Skaggs and Patty Loveless.

The track reached CMA Song Of The Year in 1996.

Family Bible ... info soon

In The Sweet By And By .... info soon.