Gospel songs are part of almost every bluegrass jam. They have three chords, slow or medium speeds, and choruses that the whole circle sings. That makes them some of the easiest songs to join and to lead. Six of them come up more than the rest, and each one has a song page on this site.
Six gospel songs to know
| Song | Common jam key | Chords |
|---|---|---|
| I’ll Fly Away | G | 1, 4, 5 |
| Will the Circle Be Unbroken | G | 1, 4, 5 |
| I Saw the Light | G | 1, 4, 5 |
| Keep on the Sunny Side | G | 1, 4, 5 |
| Down to the River to Pray | G | 1, 4, 5 |
| Wayfaring Stranger | A minor | Minor key |
The key is a starting point. The singer picks the key that fits their voice. In G, the 1, 4, and 5 chords are G, C, and D. Read the Nashville number system for bluegrass jams.
What to know about each one
I’ll Fly Away. Albert E. Brumley wrote it, and it was published in 1932. It may be the song jams sing most. The title line answers the lead singer through each verse, so a new singer has a part right away.
Will the Circle Be Unbroken. Many circles sing this one to close the night. The chorus is easy to learn by the second time through.
I Saw the Light. Hank Williams wrote it. It moves at a quick, bright speed. One line near the end of each section has an extra bar, so listen for the singer before you change chords.
Keep on the Sunny Side. Ada Blenkhorn and J. Howard Entwisle wrote it in 1899, and the Carter Family made it famous. It suits a medium speed and a full chorus of voices.
Down to the River to Pray. Many groups sing this with no instruments at all. In a jam, play soft or put your instrument down and sing.
Wayfaring Stranger. This is a slow song in a minor key. The song page has free sheet music in A minor. It gives a gospel set a change of mood.
Why jams sing gospel
Bluegrass bands have sung gospel songs since the start of the music. The first generation of players grew up singing in country churches, and they put those songs on their records and in their shows. A bluegrass show often includes a gospel song or two, and a jam does the same.
A singer does not need to share the faith in the songs to sing them. Players of many backgrounds sing them as part of the tradition. If you would rather not sing one, play backup or sit it out. Nobody will ask why.
How gospel singing works in the circle
Everyone sings the chorus. This is the main difference from other songs. On a gospel song, the whole circle joins the chorus, not only the harmony singers.
Harmony stacks up. The lead sings the melody. A tenor sings above. A baritone fills in. Gospel quartets add a bass voice at the bottom. Read how bluegrass harmony works and how to sing tenor on a bluegrass chorus.
Instruments drop back. The voices are the point. Play backup at low volume. Banjo players often vamp or stop rolling. Read how to play banjo backup in a bluegrass jam.
Breaks are short or skipped. Some leaders call one break in the middle. Some call none and sing straight through.
Echo lines. In many gospel songs, part of the group answers the lead with a repeated phrase. Listen the first time through and join the answer on the next verse.
The Sunday morning gospel jam
Many bluegrass festivals hold a gospel jam or a gospel set on Sunday morning. It tends to be slow, warm, and open to all. Players who stayed up late picking fast tunes sit in a big circle and sing.
A Sunday gospel jam is a good first jam for a nervous singer. The songs are well known, the speed is easy, and many voices carry each chorus. Read how to jam at a bluegrass festival campground.
Singing with no instruments
Some gospel songs are sung a cappella, which means with voices only. The leader gives the starting note, often by humming it or playing one note. Then the leader sets the speed with a nod or a hand.
If you play an instrument, hold it still. If you sing, watch the leader for the start and the end of each line.
Leading a gospel song
Pick a key where you can sing the highest line with ease. Other people need to sing with you, so do not pick a key at the top of your range. Read how to find your singing key.
Say the name and the key. Say how you want it: “Everybody on the chorus. One break after the second verse.”
Sing the last chorus twice if the circle is singing well. Slow down on the last line and hold the final chord. Read how to end a song in a bluegrass jam.
Other gospel songs you will hear
These are common too, and worth learning after the first six.
Amazing Grace
Angel Band
Farther Along
Uncloudy Day
Life’s Railway to Heaven.
Amazing Grace is in three-four time. Read how to play a waltz in a bluegrass jam.
Learn the choruses first
Learn the chorus words for the six songs in the table before anything else. With those, you can sing at almost any jam and at any Sunday morning circle. Then learn the verses to one song and lead it.
For more first songs, read easy bluegrass songs for your first jam and bluegrass standards.