Introduction:

“How Great Thou Art” is a beloved hymn with a rich history, and its rendition by Joey+Rory holds a special place in the hearts of many.

The hymn’s origins can be traced back to 1885 when Carl Gustav Boberg, a Swedish pastor, penned the lyrics in his native language. Inspired by the breathtaking scenery of the Holy Land during a pilgrimage, Boberg’s words expressed awe and reverence for God’s creation.

The lyrics were later translated into English by Stuart K. Hine and published in 1906. Hine’s version closely mirrored Boberg’s original, preserving the hymn’s profound message of wonder and worship.

“How Great Thou Art” quickly gained popularity, becoming a staple in churches and hymnals worldwide. Its timeless message of awe and gratitude resonated with people of all backgrounds, transcending cultural and denominational boundaries.

In 2016, the country music duo Joey+Rory released their version of “How Great Thou Art” as part of their album “Hymns.” The song, recorded shortly before Joey Feek’s passing from cancer, became a poignant tribute to her unwavering faith and the power of music to connect with the divine.

Joey+Rory’s rendition, characterized by their signature harmonies and heartfelt delivery, infused new life into the classic hymn. It became a testament to their enduring love and their shared belief in a higher power, leaving a lasting impact on listeners and solidifying its place in the annals of gospel music.

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THE LAST TIME THE CROWD ROSE FOR MERLE HAGGARD — HE WOULD NEVER WALK ONSTAGE AGAIN. They carried him through the doors wrapped in the very flag he once sang about — and in the stillness that followed, there was something almost audible… a fragile echo only lifelong listeners could feel in their bones. Merle Haggard’s story closed the same way it opened: unpolished, honest, and deeply human. From being born in a converted boxcar during the Great Depression to commanding the grandest stages across America, his life unfolded like a country ballad etched in grit, regret, resilience, and redemption. Every lyric he sang carried the weight of lived experience — prison walls, hard roads, blue-collar truths, and hard-earned second chances. Those who stood beside his casket said the atmosphere felt thick, as if the room itself refused to forget the sound of his voice. It wasn’t just grief in the air — it was reverence. A stillness reserved for someone whose music had become stitched into the fabric of ordinary lives. One of his sons leaned close and murmured, “He didn’t really leave us. He’s just playing somewhere higher.” And perhaps that’s the only explanation that makes sense. Because artists like Merle don’t simply vanish. They transform. They become the crackle of an AM radio drifting through a late-night highway. They become the soundtrack of worn leather seats and long stretches of open road. They live in jukebox corners, in dance halls, in quiet kitchens where memories linger longer than the coffee. Somewhere tonight, a trucker tunes in to an old melody. Somewhere, an aging cowboy lowers his hat and blinks back tears. And somewhere in that gentle hum of steel guitar and sorrow, a whisper carries through: “Merle’s home.”