For this week’s pickin and grinnin spot I’m sharing a song we uploaded to YouTube 12 years ago. “You Gotta Walk that Lonesome Valley” is one of those gospel songs that pull you along whether you’re playing it or tapping your toes to the peppy tune.
I found the following details about the song back when we were doing it on a regular basis.
“In this traditional African-American spiritual, the lonesome valley very well may be the valley of the shadow of death referred to in Psalm 23, Verse 4: “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” The valley in the Dawson version seems to be a river valley of the River Jordan which figures significantly in the Old Testament. A gospel version was titled “Jesus Walked That Lonesome Valley.” Elvis Presley recorded the gospel version, as did Andy Griffith. Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie sang it together. Many alternative versions of the lyrics exist, including a cowboy outlaw version called “The Reverend Mr. Black,” which was recorded by Johnny Cash.”
—The Songs We Sang: Favorite American Folksongs
George Jones, The Carter Family, The Monroe Brothers, The Statler Brothers, and other well known artists also recorded the song. But I must admit I’m pretty partial to our version.
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I remember hearing that song when I was growing up , good singing by your dad and brother,
I love that song. I think Pap was impressed with Paul’s expertise on playing and I giggled when Paul grinned at Pap when his cheat sheet flew away. Sweet family things like that make these songs even more special.
Thank you, Tipper, for sharing the encouragement of “You Gotta Walk that Lonesome Valley.” One unsung verse played sweetly in my mind as your men sang: “I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2023&version=NIV).
Although we all must walk that lonesome valley, we are not truly alone because God walks with us. Thanks again!
I grew up singing this song with my mum and sister – mum played the guitar and we all sang – mum’s gone now and it’s nice to be able to remember things from long ago. Thank you
Oh the Memories of hearing this beautiful song. I remember hearing the country music version as a child. Your Family has a Wonderful Gift of Sharing Our Gods Words Through Song.
Two old songs my family sang made me sad when I was a small child: “Lonesome Valley” and “Will the Circle be Unbroken”. They spoke of death, being alone in the dark, and losing my mother. Not much to like about those themes, that’s for sure. They scared me. I never sang them in the presence of young children, especially mine, and still won’t. As an adult, they became two of my favorites.
Gene, I don’t remember hearing “Lonesome Valley” when I was growing up, but the lyrics and meaning of “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” have became very real to me. There was some before (my daddy in 1991 and my 4 grandparents) and 12 other family members in the 10 years, they are my mother, daughter, wife, mother and father-in-law, and a sister-in-law law and brother-in-law, the rest were either aunts or uncles.
It has been ages since I heard this. My mom and her siblings sang that beautiful family harmony, and this was one of the songs I loved to hear them sing. They have all flown away years ago, so this was a special treat.
Oh, I am definitely partial to your version too! So beautiful! What a treat to hear, this beautiful Sunday morning. Thank you for sharing. Have a blessed Sunday everyone!!
Yes, I, too, love this version. Many thanks!!
Like always I enjoy Pap and Paul singing the old religious songs. I have heard this song before but as you said many of the them had different lyrics.
I have been rolling some words over in my head for a couple of months now, “Satan can’t touch me, if I walk beside you, Lord, firmly holding on to your hand.” That runs contrary to the premise of this song. I believe the evils we encounter in “the valley of the shadow of death” are wholly the works of Satan therefore he must step aside when I walk by, if the Lord is my Shepherd.
Without Jesus we surely do have to walk by ourselves and face Satan’s stumbling blocks without recourse. I don’t know about you but I know I can’t do it on my own. But, if there is Someone with me who can just say, “Step aside Satan we need to get through here!” then That Lonesome Valley becomes the valley of peace.
If you can take my sentence and make it into a gospel song, have at it! I would be tickled! Not tickled to death, just tickled.
I too enjoy your peppy version of this song. It has been quite awhile since I heard this song. The words are truthful….some times we must face issues alone. It can be challenging and downright scary at times. Thank you for sharing.
Amen, there are walks we walk without a human companion. But we are still not alone. There are things I have determined to keep to myself unless and until I become convinced it would help someone to share them. There are glimpses through the New Testament of events that we are given to know occurred but the individual never tells about.
By the way, I had to smile at how shiny Pap’s boots are. Once a Marine …. My Dad carried the impress of it ever after also.
Good Sunday morning everyone. I’ve heard this song many times in my 78 years living on planet earth. Lots of people are walking in a dark lomesome valley without Jesus and it’s our job to tell them how they can find peace and contentment.
Let’s go worship today! Pray for ISRAEL. Blessings to all.
Thank you for the beautiful song this morning. I so look forward to Sunday posts. The other day my five-year old granddaughter said to me, “tomorrow is the day daddy stays home with us all day”. I said “Oh and do you like that day”? She said, “I love every day, especially Sunday”! My feelings exactly!
I know a young lady facing the world, she might could use a prayer, she is not alone, but she might feel alone, God bless her with what she needs at this time in her life meet all her needs Jesus, provide and comfort her and the new guy on the way, in Jesus name ❤️
❤️️❤️
I don’t recall ever hearing that song, but it is a toe tapping good song. I always enjoy hearing a song Pap and Paul sang together. Happy Sunday Morning! Thanking our Lord for all He has done!!!
I’m not sure I ever heard this wonderful song before! You and your pap sure did a fine job performing this lovely song. Thanks, Paul, for the gorgeous Sunday hymn and getting my heart ready for church. Have a blessed day everybody who reads this and of course the Wilson/Pressley crew!!!
Partial to your version too! Happy Sunday.
Thanks Tipper, always good to listen onto these great Gospel numbers. God Bless to all.
Great song and great musicians too
Oh the memories you have and will have for many years to come. My Hubby and I usually watch your Friday read on either Saturday or Sunday for some reason. I think we just try to drag it out so it won’t be as long til the next episode. This Friday did seem to be especially sweet, especially the last two sentences. Then you present todays video and we get to enjoy more harmony. Goodness, GF, you are so Blessed with music and to be able to draw on it is priceless. Praying for Granny and you guys. God Bless