Debuting his gospel album on February 28, 2006, Alan Jackson made his own rendition of “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” by Helen H. Lemmel. The song was featured as the 11th track to his thirteenth studio album, Precious Memories. Unlike his country albums, this project consists of covers of popular gospel songs, including “Blessed Assurance” and “Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus.”
Initially, Jackson recorded the songs for the album at The Rukkus Room Recording Studios for his Father-in-Law’s funeral. There were no singles released from it, but it garnered a Platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association (RIAA). His live performance of “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” in 2017 has over a million views on YouTube, with much love and appreciation from fans.
The hymn was penned by Lemmel in 1992, a gifted English singer and vocal music teacher. She took a great impression from a missionary’s poem, Lilias Trotter’s “Focussed: A Story and a Song.” The lines “Turn your eyes upon Him, look full into His face, and you will find that the things of the earth will acquire a strange new dimness” were stuck in her head until, eventually, she began writing the refrains and stanzas. It became one of the most anointed hymns when it was introduced at England’s Keswick Bible Conference in England and appeared in the “Gospel Truth in Song No. 2” in 1924.
For You
The lyrics of “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” ignite hope in those who are feeling lost and dejected. It implies that instead of focusing on the pain, center your life around Jesus’ grace and gift of abundant life. All the things that seemed so heavy and burdensome will become lighter in comparison to His grace. This sublimely captures the idea of salvation found in Jesus Christ — he is the light to our darkest parts that will lead us to conquer any trials and doubts.
Amongst Jackson’s evergreen tunes, his version of Lemmel’s hymn is a touch of neotraditional country and gospel. Produced by Keith Stegall, his vocal control stood out in the song that soft piano and guitar keys are enough to uplift someone’s heart. During the last verse, Jackson’s voice was layered with angelic back-up vocals that made the song a harmonic melody to tune in.
Let the light come into your life while playing Alan Jackson’s performance of “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.”
