Country music singer Randy Travis released his rendition of the 1868 hymn “In The Sweet By and By,” with lyrics by Sanford Fillmore Bennett and music by Joseph Philbrick Webster, in his 2003 album Worship & Faith. The song was previously covered by fellow country icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, and Kenny Rogers.
“Gospel music is always good for the soul”
Randy Travis is no stranger to gospel songs. In 2002, he released “Three Wooden Crosses,” which earned him a number-one hit in nearly a decade, a CMA Song of the Year (2003), and a Dove Award as Country Song of the Year (2004).
In an interview, the singer said, “I believe hearing gospel music is always good for the soul — it takes us back to our roots of faith when we went to church with family and friends.” He also added that these songs were constant reminders that the good Lord was always with us through it all.
A year later, he dropped his fifteenth studio album, Worship & Faith, which consisted of 20 Randy Travis covers of traditional gospel songs recorded live in his concert at the Orlando Calvary Assembly of God in Orlando, Florida. Featured in the collection was his rendition of the track “In The Sweet By and By.”
Randy Travis Rendition
Dressed in a black suit and a guitar hanging on his shoulder, Travis captivated the audience as soon as he started singing. His baritone voice with a deep nasal whine radiated through the acoustic arrangement as he sang the first verse. When he hit the chorus, he was joined by backup vocals.
For You
One of the memorable parts of the song was the instrumental following the first chorus.
All in all, it was so easy to listen to that you wouldn’t notice time passing by. In fact, it felt like the two minutes and twenty-seven seconds long song passed through like a breeze. Finally, for the closing, he made a quick play on the guitar. The audience definitely enjoyed his performance, and it was met with a warm round of applause at the end.
Check out Randy Travis’ beautiful rendition of the hymn “In the Sweet By and By.”
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