# Atheist Dopers: favorite religious songs **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 19, 2004, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-dopers-favorite-religious-songs/229936 "2004-02-19T03:15:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-dopers-favorite-religious-songs/229936/21 "2004-02-19T12:58:32Z")
Princes \*\*The Cross \*\* off The sign of the times. And some barnstormer by \*\*Lone Justice \*\* the name of which escapes me right now. I’ll get back to you on this… ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-dopers-favorite-religious-songs/229936/22 "2004-02-19T13:00:20Z")
> [@](#): > > Oh, Holy Night I’m with you, **Captain Amazing**. This song is so dramatic and beautiful, when I hear it sung properly by someone with a great voice, it just brings tears to my eyes. ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-dopers-favorite-religious-songs/229936/23 "2004-02-19T13:47:06Z")
In contrast to my lack of faith in Christianity, I’m becoming a big fan of [The Echoing Green](http://www.echocentral). I know that technically, right now they are pursuing the mainstream market, but some of their stuff is pretty Christian. As for songs, I absolutely LOVE “The Story of our Lives” by them. It’s not OVERTLY Christian, but Christianity is quite definitely there. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-dopers-favorite-religious-songs/229936/24 "2004-02-19T14:42:43Z")
Regina Coeli Amazing Grace Swing Low Sweet Chariot Go Tell it On the Mountain Most of the Latin Mass. (Not an atheist myself - but as close as you can come. And raised Catholic, so I still love to listen to Latin Mass). ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-dopers-favorite-religious-songs/229936/25 "2004-02-19T14:42:44Z")
> [@dutchboy208](#): > > How is _Tears in Heaven_ a religious song? It’s about using faith to get through the loss of a child. ---
**Author:** ![SkeptiJess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@SkeptiJess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SkeptiJess)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-dopers-favorite-religious-songs/229936/26 "2004-02-19T17:20:44Z")
Despite my agnostism, I kind of enjoy going to church once in a while. I like to sing (despite my terrible voice) and lots of hymns are fun to sing. As for hymns I really like as songs: I love both _I’ll fly Away_ and _Will the Circle be Unbroken_. I also love _Eternal Father, Strong to Save_ known as the _Navy Hymn_. Although there are many rather peculiar extra verses that have been ‘added’ to that one over the years. Did you know the Navy Supply Corps has a verse? _Please stand with those who orders fill; And give them courage, strenth, and skill. With all your sons and daughters stay As they must feed, support, and pay. Oh bless the members of our Corps; In air, at seas and while ashore._ Heaven help us. One ship Kevin was on had a sadistic Captain who, when planning a Dining Out (very traditional full-dress party with drinks and toasting), required each department to come up with an entertainment they might be called upon to present to the assembly. Most departments had _somebody_ talented to tap – a juggler, a ventriliquest, a trumpet player, somebody capable of writing a skit and bullying his compadres through rehearsals – something. But not poor Supply Department. They didn’t have a shred of entertainment talent of any kind. So the Supply Officer printed out a version of the Navy Hymn with the first and last verses and the Supply Corps abomination sandwiched between. Fortunately for all concerned, the Supply Department did not get tapped to provide entertainment at the party. Having helped Kevin stumble through the song alone I can barely even imagine what it would have sounded like if the whole department had had to sing it. “Entertaining” is not the word that springs to mind. Finally, to bring us back on topic, I rather like a song I’ve heard at my kid’s Lutheran Church: [_Here I am, Lord_](http://my.homewithgod.com/heavenlymidis/songbook/here.html'). Very pretty song. ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-dopers-favorite-religious-songs/229936/27 "2004-02-19T17:56:01Z")
Jerusalem. ---
**Author:** ![Tentacle\_Monster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ba9def/32.png) [@Tentacle\_Monster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tentacle_Monster)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-dopers-favorite-religious-songs/229936/28 "2004-02-19T18:23:17Z")
Almost forgot: “Jesus Christ” by Wesley Willis. It’s one of his more serious pieces. ---
**Author:** ![mascaroni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@mascaroni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mascaroni)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-dopers-favorite-religious-songs/229936/29 "2004-02-19T18:43:08Z")
Jerusalam Abide With Me He Who Would Valiant Be Land Of Hope and Glory Bread Of Heaven ---
**Author:** ![threeorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@threeorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threeorange)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-dopers-favorite-religious-songs/229936/30 "2004-02-19T22:54:13Z")
I’m an agnostic ethical humanist, rather than an atheist, but I guess I qualify to post here. One of my favorite religious songs is **Cry of a Tiny Babe** by **Bruce Cockburn**. It’s the story of the birth of Jesus, and probably the only Christmas song that mentions death squads and hookers. ---
**Author:** ![widdershins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f0a364/32.png) [@widdershins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/widdershins)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2004, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-dopers-favorite-religious-songs/229936/31 "2004-02-19T23:23:45Z")
Gotta admit to more than a few myself: “Jerusalem” - although I like the Emerson, Lake , and Palmer version for the bombast or any version in a Monty Python sketch. “Workin’ on a Building” & “Have Thine Own Way, Lord” - John Fogerty, both are covers from his _Blue Ridge Rangers_ one man band album from the 70s. “I Trust” & “The Christian Life” - The Byrds “After Forever” - Black Sabbath “No Depression” - mostly the Uncle Tupelo version, although I intentionally misread it as a darker toned suicide song when I’m feeling morbid. “When I get My Wings” - Billy Joe Shaver “Me and Jesus” - Tom T. Hall “Faith of Our Fathers” - left over from my good little Catholic school boy days. Then again I have a few Russian Orthodox choral music CDs than I find very relaxing when I’m tired or having a bad day. Rachmaninoff’s _All Night Vespers_ performed by the Robert Shaw Singers is a particular favorite. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-dopers-favorite-religious-songs/229936/32 "2004-02-20T01:15:57Z")
Great thread. Let’s see, there are so many great songs: This Train - Woody Guthrie Give us A Song - Jonathan Edwards I Bid You Goodnight - The Pindar Family (and the Incredible String Band, of course) Down to the River to Pray - Alison Krauss Children Go Where I Send Thee - (Trad.) I like Joan Osborne’s version Gaudete - (Trad.) Steeleye Span or the Medieval Babes version Jesus is Easy - Martin Mull 😉 ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-dopers-favorite-religious-songs/229936/33 "2004-02-20T01:36:30Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > As far as the OP, though, I have ALWAYS loved _Place In This World_ by Michael W Smith. Is that one really **by** Michael W. Smith? I know MWS does a lot of cover versions of other, lesser-known CCM artists’ songs. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-dopers-favorite-religious-songs/229936/34 "2004-02-20T01:48:43Z")
I’m rather partial to **Jesus Christ for President** and I second **The Man Comes Around**. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-dopers-favorite-religious-songs/229936/35 "2004-02-20T01:49:24Z")
It’s interesting that Creed seems to be completely absent from this thread. That speaks well for the taste and quality of posters on this board. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![erislover](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/71e660/32.png) [@erislover](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erislover)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-dopers-favorite-religious-songs/229936/36 "2004-02-20T02:47:57Z")
“Who’s the Victim?” and “Oh No, Not Again” by **The Lead.** Not only does the first have religion in it, it is a pro-life song and I’m pro-choice. But hey, good music is where you find it. ---
**Author:** ![Legolamb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4491bb/32.png) [@Legolamb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Legolamb)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-dopers-favorite-religious-songs/229936/37 "2004-02-20T04:09:39Z")
Almost everything Alabama 3 (or A3 as they’re known in America) have ever written, particularly “Peace In The Valley” and “Converted”. ---
**Author:** ![Call\_me\_Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Call\_me\_Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Call_me_Frank)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-dopers-favorite-religious-songs/229936/38 "2004-02-20T04:39:45Z")
William Byrd’s _Ave Verum Corpus_…in fact, a lot of William Byrd’s religious music is quite good. And Simon & Garfunkel’s _Mrs. Robinson_ has a fair amount of god-related lyrics, but it’s still a great song. Also, there’s a piece called _Abram’s Pursuit_ by David Holsinger that we played in HS…I really liked it and I believe it was based on a story from the bible. ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-dopers-favorite-religious-songs/229936/39 "2004-02-20T04:53:29Z")
At the risk of offending nearly everyone here, I always get a strangely Zen-like calm from Monty Python’s “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”. ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-dopers-favorite-religious-songs/229936/40 "2004-02-20T04:56:02Z")
Haven’t set foot in a church in years, aside from weddings, but I sure love some of the old hymns, especially “How Great Thou Art.” The live recording of Elvis blowing the roof off the joint on that one just about makes me jump up and testify. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-dopers-favorite-religious-songs/229936.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheist-dopers-favorite-religious-songs/229936.md?page=3)