Are You Afraid to Die (Birthday Tribute to Ira Louvin, April 21, 1924)
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- čas přidán 20. 04. 2023
- For this year’s birthday tribute video, I debated between a gospel song and one of Ira’s “cheatin’” love songs. I saved the cheatin’ song for next year. How was he a master of both types of songs? I think it’s because he had true experience with both sides of life. Like Pap, Ira could take the same 3 major chords that everyone uses and somehow create a melody that wasn’t the tune of any other song. Within the genre of gospel music, there’s a subgenre described as “invitational” songs. These songs plead with the listener to accept Christ. “O’ Why Not Tonight,” “Softly and Tenderly,” and “Just as I Am” are beautiful examples. The last one in that list is so powerful that during a Billy Graham crusade in the UK back in the 50’s, media critics accused him of using the song to hypnotize people (rather than them coming forward by rational choice). Graham responded that it was not the song nor his preaching but the word of God and the Holy Spirit. To prove it, he gave his altar call for the next 30 nights without music. Just as many people came forward without music. There’s a documentary about this. I cannot remember the name of it, but you can probably find it online. It’s strange to watch video footage of all those people coming forward on different nights during utter silence. I believe Graham was right about what he said. He didn’t need to prove it, but he did. Still, I believe great invitational songs are needed, not because they fool people or play upon their emotions, but because they can contain elements of the gospel, just as sermons. They can tell the listener things that s/he needs to know and consider. Though it isn’t well known, “Are You Afraid to Die?” is a masterpiece. This song poses questions to the listener, and the first few questions cut right to the quick. A couple of years ago, Wayde Powell, II and I were discussing the Louvin Brothers, and in that conversation, I said that I wished fans and critics weren't so focused on the album Satan is Real. I said that it’s clearly not their best album and that everyone became fixated on it because of the cover art. Wayde asked me what I thought was their best album. I named a few from later in their careers when their singing had gotten even stronger, even more polished. Since that discussion, I’ve had to reconsider the Satan is Real Album, not because I decided that the singing was better but because I looked back over the song list. I hadn’t realized that Are You Afraid to Die, He Can Be Found, The River of Jordan, The Angels Rejoiced Last Night, and Satan’s Jeweled Crown were all on that album. I then had to admit that it is a truly amazing album. When they were a lot younger, the Pressley Girls went to go make music with some folks at East Tennessee University. This school has a renowned bluegrass program. Ricky Skaggs was playing there with some of the students. Corie and Katie came home singing Are You Afraid to Die. I politely refused to play the song with them because they were playing the bluegrass version which has been changed. I’ve heard both Skaggs and the Nashville Bluegrass Band do the song in that arrangement, and while they are master musicians and singers, I cannot stomach the changes they made to the original. They slowed the tempo dramatically and changed the chord pattern slightly. I assume they slowed the song to give the listener more time to consider the questions. Maybe If I heard the song that way first, I would have been okay with it. The only change here was to the lyrics. The original first verse contained "kneel with your mother." I think that's reflective of Ira's personal experience. Pap replaced mother with savior to make it more universal. When I chose to do the song for this year’s birthday tribute, I had a thought (really more like a fantasy), of how great it would be to sing this song as a total surprise, almost like a musical ambush, at some event like the Oscars. For that to ever happen, one would have to first rise to undeniable secular success in order to be booked as a performer. One would have to let the producers think that a different song was coming. The band would have to be in on it, and someone would probably have to guard the sound system to keep the crew from cutting off the mic, etc. It would have to be a live show, and even then, someone would probably throw up a test pattern on the screen or “technical difficulties.” It could never happen, but it would be such a great opportunity to pose this song to a crowd like that. I think it might even reach some of them. We didn’t practice this song, but I think it turned out with a good feel. The plan was for Katie and I to sing it as a duet, but Corie showed up and added a beautiful third harmony. Our voices ran together on a couple of notes, but overall, I like the sound. This was the only camera angle to be had in the cramped kitchen, but I like the over-the-shoulder perspective. Thanks for watching! We’ll do a song for Charlie's birthday this summer.
- Hudba
What a wonderful reminder of Heaven!! The voices singing this are like angels!!
Awesome! Long live the Louvin Brothers!
Wow! What a marvelous and beautiful Birthday Tribute to Ira Louvin! Ira and Charlie were always favorites of mine, and I sure enjoyed this AWESOME rendition....GREAT singing and performing! God bless, Charles
I loved Ira and Charlie! We are branch to them and used to go to Charlie's place every year to his bluegrass festival when I was young.
You never fail to take me back to a time in my life when things were more simple.. Don't let'em tear that little old brown building down was the 1st vid i seen from y'all.. makes me think back working the land with my Dad as a kid....God Bless You!!!
Im surprised your not playing at venues and fairs,!!! ❤❤❤your beautiful!
Absolutely beautiful! Paul has such a beautiful voice.
Thank you so much, Rhonda. Glad you liked it.
This was just great and uplifting. Loved the messy table with everything in the world on it because it reminds me of the one beside me now. Sometimes we have to move some of it to make room to put the dinner plates. That's country.
Paul has such a great voice and the girls add a special touch when they add their beautiful harmonies. I love hearing how siblings blend when they’re harmonizing. I pray that everyone that hears this song can settle this question. Jesus has defeated satan. “Oh death, where is thy sting, oh grave where is thy victory?”
So good. Pau andthe girls sing sowell together
Yes ,some times, God bless Ms Cindy with healing and health in Jesus name
Just so wonderful....beautiful voice Paul!
Gosh do I love this song. Thanks you again for introducing me to the Louvin Brothers music! This is my favorite version of the song I must say ☺
Beautiful performance!!! Today I needed to hear this. I am not afraid to die because I trust in my faith and the mercy of Jesus.! My father is afraid to die. This song will give me an opening to talk with him about praying for forgiveness and changing his ways.
Thank you
Amen, Jodi. Thank you. I pray that you reach your father by sharing God's Word.
Wonderful song and singing and playing. Really enjoyed the lyrics and all.👏🎶💖
Yes absolutely beautiful play friend
I liked this very much. Beautiful. -much love from NJ ~Mary & fam
Hallelujah Hallelujah
I always enjoy your videos. Such talent that God has blessed you all with. Whether singing or playing instruments. Thank you for sharing 🤗💕 Praying for you all 🙏
I've watched and listened to this many times! It's so lovely
Bless you 🕊️
Beautiful!
No iam not afraid to die, I die a little bit everyday . I turn 67 on Sunday and glad Jesus has given me these days ..big hugs Patsy❤
Thank you, Patsy. That's a wonderful feeling, is it not! :-)
Beautiful music as always awesome message
Good song. Thanks.
Enjoyed.
I was raised where Ira and Charlie were from. My mother was a roommate of their sister Gerry. They have another sister Aline.
I played at the first couple of May on the mountain bluegrass festivals. Thank you for sharing this!
Prutiful, that's cool! I knew they had a couple of sisters, though I don't know much about them. Thanks for sharing.
❤
Very nice song and a lovely tribute to Ira Louvin. Great harmonies by the ladies and singing Paul. Thank you for sharing.
Wow, so well done! Vocals are outstanding. I enjoyed watching Katie, intent on observing Corie playing the guitar. Katie is always eager to learn and that shows in this song as she's watching her sister between verses. I'm glad you selected this song, Paul. I really enjoyed it. Thank you.
Thanks, Roland. It never occurred to me that she was watching Corie's playing, but you might be right. I thought she might be looking at the lyrics on her phone to see when she and Corie were supposed to come in on the song. Now I'll have to ask her to find out! :-)
I love his voice ♥️🙏
Thank you, Alicia!
Beautiful, beautiful singing! ❤❤❤
I saved this... Simple... Straight to the point.... The old songs packed a punch.... Love the harmony❤
Thank you, T! They sure did!
Paul,
Ira had such a way with his lyrics. The title of this song is no doubt what we have all thought about at one time or another. Although being a child of God, there is peace in knowing where I will go, and the comfort in knowing physical death is once, but spiritually, I will have everlasting life. Those words Ira wrote in this song would be haunting if you were lost and chose to remain lost.
Paul, I doubt seriously in this day and age and the decline in our country. You wouldn't get far in singing this at the Oscar's. People don't want to be put in a situation that makes them feel convicted or uncomfortable.
I'm so glad to hear Corie and Katie sing with you. Harmony sounded great. Tipper was undoubtedly tucked over in the corner because I heard her voice and the sound of her bass playing.
Thanks for all you do to bring music to so many. Also, I always enjoy your commentary love to read your views on issues along with the stories you tell.
Thank you Paul
Debbie
Debbie, thanks for always watching and commenting. You're probably right about trying to sign this song to a group like that. They'd probably throw things at you! :-) Then, they would have you arrested, cancelled, and sued, but it would be worth it. :-)
I love this. Y’all did an awesome job!
Paul has his fathers beautiful voice.
As Nicholas Cage would say, that's high praise. Thank you so much, Jeanette. :-)
Beautiful song and presentation with a message we all need to hear. Sadly many ears are ignoring the call to repentance. Would love to watch if a song such as this were ever presented to a crowd like you mentioned in your intro. We can pray for that to happen!
Thanks, Vera. Who knows, it just might one day. Talk about triggering! The singer might be jailed for "verbal assault" or something like that, but it would be worth it!
Beautiful song ❤
Yes, it is, Tanya. Thank you for watching and commenting!
Absolutely beautiful song & beautiful Singing
Thanks so much, Janet!
Thank you for that. May we all be ready.
Amen, Ann. Thank you!
Shared ❤
I loved the harmony, loved this hymn (which I hadn't heard before). THANK YOU! 🙌🏼
Thank you, KeepTrying. I love it when we can introduce listeners to great songs like this!
I love that song it was so beautiful.Great job Paul and Corie and Katie and God bless you all.
Thank you, Jimmy. We're so glad you enjoyed it. God bless you too!
Thank you.@@BlindPigAndTheAcorn
He’s has a beautiful voice
That's very kind of you, Kristy. Thank you!
I know you probably get this type of question all the time but, ... does your family band know "Gathering Flowers for the Master's Bouquet" have only heard it by Kitty Wells... an my Mom.
But your family, I know, would sound amazing.
Love your videos. Fan from Edmonton, Alberta Canada.
Great job on that song! I don't hear many people singing the Louvin Brothers version of this song, which is the version I grew up with. I enjoyed singing along in falsetto. 🙂
Roland, thank you so much. Glad you liked it. We hope that you and Ryan are doing well. :-)
awesome job by all of you
Well done ,and good message ❤
Loved this! So very beautiful! Thanks and God bless y'all always 🙏❤️
Thank you, Ben, and God bless you too!
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for watching and commenting! We hope all is well on the homestead!
Enjoy your songs, this one, takes me back to a time when what we were doing left little time to think about living or dying until after, the event.
Have a good weekend.
LS719, thanks for always watching and commenting. This one is though-provoking for sure.
Thank you guys! As always, I enjoy you guys!😊🇨🇦
Gary, thanks for watching and commenting! Glad you liked it!
Beautiful song and played perfectly thanks guys you are Awsome ...God bless you
Thanks, Tim, and God bless you too!
❤Love it! This is the music I grew up with!
Thanks, Barbara, me too, even though it was made before my time.
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
So glad you liked it, AlienSchmaliens! Thanks!
Just beautiful. Thank you for sharing such an important song. Please help me and others which include Fred Lunsford continue to pray for the Lost.
Thank you, Rhonda. Keep sharing God's Word!
Beautiful
Thanks, Kristy! Glad you liked it.
That was beautiful.
Glad you liked it, Jeanette. Thanks!
Beautiful cover!! And the message is very thought provoking!
For sure, Johnny! Thank you very much!
Beautiful and effortless ❤
Thank you, R Herbert!
Well done Paul and Ladies. Love your singing and the guitars. Very nicely done. Loved the harmony.
Patrick, thank you for those kind words. So glad you enjoyed it!
Love the Louvin Brothers Thanks
Me too, Terrill! Thank you.
😊
What a message, and what beautiful playing and singing!!!!! Thanks so much!!! I love it!!!!
Thanks, Dave. Yes, this song kind of says it all to the lost.
@@BlindPigAndTheAcorn Amen!!!!
Reminded of the movie scene where Herod comes to take John the Baptists' head & actor Charlton Heston exclaimed to Herod ''You've come to set me free!'' Herod replied ''No my friend. I have come to take your head.'' Then Heston quipped back...
''Then you have come to set me free!'' ~ ✝⚖🪃
Exactly, my friend! Thank you so much for watching and commenting!
Pray for me , to the best of my ability I have done all I can do, the devil is out to kill steal and destroy, fear and doubt and anxiety over my salvation, the preacher came to see me last year in March,I prayed and ask forgiveness, I repent to the best of my ability, I believe in Jesus and all he says, he died for me and rose from the dead king of kings , Lord of lords, God bless friends of Appalachia, God bless Tipper and her family,, Jesus save me!!!
Praying for you….Amen to your accepting Christ.
@@jeanniebair4103 God bless you friend of Jesus, God bless your family in Jesus name
Norman, based on your comment, I think you are saved. Romans 10:9 says, "if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." When the Bible uses the word "shall" or "shalt," it indicates a certainty that cannot be changed or stopped. There need not be lightning bolts or some sweeping, emotional moment, although some may have experienced feelings like that. If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for our sins, and you accept His Grace, you are saved.
@@BlindPigAndTheAcorn Hallelujah Hallelujah, praise God , you comfort me, thank you God thank you Jesus, 🙏✝️♥️
@@BlindPigAndTheAcorn good night Tipper, God bless Tipper and her family in Jesus name
Loved it and Shared I on Facebook an Twitter! So pretty ! GOD BLESS
Wow! Janet, thank you for sharing our music!
Thanks Team, top tribute to Ira.
Thank you, Gre Kiely! I think/hope Ira would have liked it.
@@BlindPigAndTheAcorn I reckoned he would have, Charlie as well :)
Great smooth voice!! Beautiful harmony.❤
Thank you, Lar Lar!
Loved this video so much!! Great song and performed wonderfully!! I will have to say I’m not afraid to die because I’ll be with my Savior!!! Thank you, Tipper!! God bless and love to all! 💕🤗🙏🏻
Thank you, Needlewich! It's a wonderful feeling, isn't it? One of Pap's songs had a line that said, "the peace and comfort that I feel, to me, mean everything." :-)
Thank you for posting this! I am a new subscriber and am so refreshed by hearing music of the heart, mind and soul.
Please thank your family for taking the time and effort to share their passion for the Beautiful with us...
Thank you, Sojourner8, and welcome to our channel! Thank you for subscribing!
Beautiful!!
Judy, thanks for always watching and commenting!
@@BlindPigAndTheAcorn / You’re welcome. But, the pleasure is all mine. I love hearing them play and sing. I’ll bet Pap is so proud of his family!! ♥️
Wow. Great song and great harmony
Thank, Tammy!
Absolutely lovely! 👍 Too bad there wasn't an opportunity for Katie to jump in and saw off a few bars on her fiddle.
Thanks, Noah. That's true. She just didn't have time to learn the song. Maybe down the road. I would love to sing this song out in public some, if the girls are up for it.
Very Nice......Peter
Peter, thanks for always watching and commenting!
They had some good hymns.
They sure did! Thank you, Doug!
Sounded good
Thanks a bunch, Samuel!
No, I am not. Fear Him who has the power to destroy both life and soul. ✝️
Amen, Tinkerbell. That's one of my favorite moments in the book of Matthew.
🙂
Super! I enjoyed the description you wrote, Paul. I love how you explain every detail - from the way you played a song and why you did it that way, to the history and meaning of the song in your own life. I agree with all you said concerning your fantasy about this song, or any other like it, being played at an event like the Oscars. Too many people would claim it offended them, but yet we drive down the street and see offensive signs and as Christians we have no right to object. Yes, I saw a few of those signs this morning. You were perfect in this song. I always think you are! The girls were great backups! I love the “Invitations” at the end of sermons. Growing up, we were taught to be perfectly quiet during the invitation so that we didn’t distract someone from hearing the Holy Spirit, causing them to not go forward as the Spirit called them. I never wanted to be the reason someone lost that opportunity. I love how Billy Graham did not play an invitation at the end of those sermons, allowing God to again show an unbelieving world that truly making the decision to accept Christ is a choice that is freely given without the true church forcing it on someone. All the laws that have been made making it illegal to share the Gospel also show that man cannot prevent seeking hearts from finding the Living God. Thank you for all your wonderful songs, and for sharing your faith. I never get tired of you, truthfully, I never get enough of you. I love your thoughts, your brain and your heart. You really are the best, and I am so glad you know my Savior, too!
Donna. : )
@Donna Sue - excellent comment❤
Donna, thanks for those kind words. I'm thankful that you know the Lord and that you see the real value in this kind of song!
No, my sweet husband said he would wait for me at the gate. ❤️
Amen, Virginia! Your comment makes me think of the song, "I'll Be Waiting on the Far Side Bank of Jordan." If you haven't heard it, you should check it out. Jimmy Fortune did it really well. The first time I ever heard it, the Marksmen sang it. Not long before Pap passed on it, he told Granny to think of this song when he was gone.
No! Absolutely not and some days I would welcome it. 💖✨
Thanks, Crazy Diamond. I think I know what you mean. For the last little while that he was on this earth, Pap was just waiting on the Lord to call him. When He did, I felt surprisingly like Pap had just won a great race. In a sense, he had.
Unlike "everyone" I didn't learn to play the G-C-D chords. I am extremely left handed. Trying to learn by watching a right handed person didn't work. I finally learned the C&D but I couldn't make my pinkie finger go where it was supposed to make the G. Then I discovered C-F-G7th. I could do that without using my pinkie. So that's how I learned (such as it is) to play.
I can make a G now but my fingers still don't want to go where you place yours. Instead I make the G7th and then use my little finger to get the high G note. I will admit I still can't do it without looking.
While I am here making excuses could you help me a little. I like reading the background of the songs you present but I have trouble reading them if they involve more than 3 or 4 lines. I have a problem that you, being an educator, might know the name for. If I try to read anything where there are no indented paragraphs or breaks the words and lines start to move around and jumble up. I have to use the curser to mark my place when I read like a kid using his finger to read a book. I may have some form of dyslexia. The problem seems to have gotten worse as I get older.
I realize CZcams doesn't like paragraphs but if you would hit enter twice at the end of each paragraph it would surely help me and people with my problem to better understand your thoughts. The problem wholly is with me, not you!
Do you have a laptop that has a touch screen? If so, you might use your fingers to enlarge the text and make it easier to see it that way, Sometimes I do that to help me read later in the evening when my eyes are tired, I know I'm not using the correct tech terms, but maybe you will understand what I mean.
@@mawmawkaren2801 Thanks for your concern. I don't have a laptop at all. I use a desktop computer with a 32 inch TV as a monitor. It's not the size of the font that's my problem, it's following the line across the page. Books have indentions or skip a line between paragraphs which helps but doesn't not completely solve my problem.
It's hard to explain. It's like getting lost in a sea of words.
Maybe I am asking too much!
Ed, I think I know what you mean. I've worked with some students over the years who had that sort of problem when they were reading or taking notes. One of our local eye doctors, who is really good, calls it a convergence issue. With the next video that I post, I will experiment with indenting and returning after each paragraph. As long as CZcams doesn't count the spaces or returning as characters, I should be able to do it. Because I ramble so much, I usually use the maximum number of characters or words that CZcams allows in a description. Thanks for watching and trying to read all those words, despite the difficulty!
@@papaw5405 I do understand what you mean. With some of our students who have had visual impairments or certain forms of dyslexia, they can use things such as pointers and basically like a ruler and blocking off just a small amount of text to read before moving on to the next passage. I have the issue with the size of the font and also with tired eyes at the end of long days, Good luck!
@@BlindPigAndTheAcorn I really enjoy reading and learning from you.
Have you ever thought about using the "pinned comment" feature? You are allowed only 5000 characters in a description but a pinned comment can have double that. 10000 characters!
Don't do anything just for me! I am probably the only viewer of yours with my problem.
Beautiful!
Thank you, Kimberly!