Finding the perfect song for a church service, especially around Christmas, can be a delightful challenge. If you’re part of a bluegrass band playing for a “bluegrass Sunday,” you’re likely familiar with standards like “I’ll Fly Away” or “I Saw the Light.” But what about Christmas? The request for an upbeat Christmas song with a gospel feel might leave you scratching your head. Many traditional Christmas tunes lean towards secular themes, and finding that high-spirited, faith-based bluegrass Christmas song can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.
This is exactly the dilemma banjo player jbabb faced when asked to find an up-tempo Christmas piece for their church band. Turning to the banjo community for suggestions, jbabb sparked a helpful forum discussion, revealing a treasure trove of ideas for gospel-infused, bluegrass-ready Christmas songs. Let’s dive into the suggestions from experienced musicians and banjo enthusiasts, perfect for energizing your church’s Christmas service with a bluegrass twist.
Forum Seeks Bluegrass Gospel Christmas Song Ideas
The initial post on Banjo Hangout, a popular online forum for banjo players, clearly articulated the need: an up tempo Gospel bluegrass christmas song. jbabb explained their church band setup—guitar, bass, drums, and rhythm guitar—and their usual bluegrass Sunday repertoire. The goal was clear: to move beyond the standard secular Christmas fare and find something that resonated with both the Christmas spirit and the gospel message, all while keeping the energy up.
Top Gospel Christmas Song Suggestions from Bluegrass Players
The banjo community responded with a variety of suggestions, ranging from adaptations of well-known Christmas songs to more explicitly gospel-themed tunes. Here’s a breakdown of the top recommendations, offering a solid starting point for any bluegrass band looking to liven up their Christmas setlist:
“Christmas Time’s A-Comin'” (with a Gospel Twist)
Several forum members pointed to “Christmas Time’s A-Comin'” as a strong contender due to its inherently upbeat nature. Originally popularized by Bill Monroe and Ricky Skaggs, this song is already bluegrass-adjacent and easily adaptable. Jason Wilkerson shared that his band performs it with Christian lyrics, noting his wife either found or wrote them, highlighting the song’s lyrical flexibility. This approach allows bands to maintain the song’s energetic tempo while steering the message towards gospel themes.
“Beautiful Star of Bethlehem”
“Beautiful Star of Bethlehem” emerged as a popular gospel-centric choice. gospelman97 specifically recommended it, noting its moderate speed and 3/4 waltz time which lends itself well to a bluegrass style. The song’s narrative focus on the Star of Bethlehem directly connects to the Christmas gospel story. CreekRunner even mentioned a Flatt and Scruggs version, solidifying its bluegrass pedigree. The availability of YouTube videos, as suggested by gospelman97, makes it easy to find bluegrass interpretations and arrangements.
“Joy to the World”
“Joy to the World” is a classic Christmas hymn that Fathand suggested, emphasizing its potential when played with a “scale downwards.” njwater elaborated on this, calling it a “natural for bluegrass” and suggesting starting in straight time and then moving to a faster tempo for breaks or verses. This dynamic approach can create an engaging and spirited rendition suitable for a church setting.
“Angels We Have Heard on High” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
These quintessential Christmas carols were also mentioned as excellent options for an upbeat bluegrass treatment. Possom described their band’s “smoking” double-time version of “Angels We Have Heard on High,” showcasing the potential for high-energy arrangements. njwater echoed this sentiment for both “Angels We Have Heard on High” and “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” suggesting they can be easily sped up while retaining their singability and recognizable melodies.
“Follow The Light”
Jim Yates brought attention to a less widely known but fitting song, “Follow The Light,” by the McLain Family. Described as a “super Christmas song” with gospel-leaning lyrics in the chorus (“Come on and follow, follow, follow the light / That shines from the brightest star above”), it offers a unique and thematically relevant option.
“What Child Is This? / Greensleeves”
Aaron Thomas suggested “What Child is This? / Greensleeves,” highlighting its recognizable tune and relatively simple chord progression. While traditionally more somber, its melody can be adapted to an upbeat tempo, and the lyrics directly address the nativity, making it a gospel-appropriate choice.
“Wings Of Angels”
Ira Gitlin proposed The Stanley Brothers’ “Wings Of Angels.” While perhaps not strictly a Christmas song, its gospel theme and uplifting melody could be fitting for a Christmas service, especially when looking for something less overtly traditional.
Other Notable Mentions
Beyond these highlighted songs, the forum offered a broader range of ideas, including:
- Adaptations of Secular Songs: boonjoer suggested that “ANY Christmas song” could work with an increased tempo, referencing the band Duvall’s Christmas album as an example of upbeat Christmas music. This encourages creative experimentation with tempo and arrangement.
- Traditional Carols with a Twist: “Deck the Halls,” “The Holly and the Ivy,” “Over the River & Through the Woods,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” and “O Come All Ye Faithful” were all proposed as songs that could be energized with a faster tempo.
- Children’s and Advent Hymns: “The Angel Band,” “Children Go Where I Send Thee,” “Bring A Torch, Jeannette Isabelle,” and “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” offer less common but potentially effective and thematically relevant choices.
- “Christmas Time Back Home” by The Country Gentlemen: chaosfrailer specifically recommended this song as an “excellent up-tempo bluegrass christmas song” with religious lyrics and a great banjo break by Eddie Adcock.
Tempo and Arrangement Tips for Gospel Christmas Songs
The forum discussion wasn’t just about song titles; it also touched upon how to make these songs work in an upbeat bluegrass gospel Christmas context. Key takeaways include:
- Increase the Tempo: Many suggestions revolved around simply playing traditional carols at a faster tempo to achieve an upbeat feel.
- Double-Time Feel: Possom’s experience with “Angels We Have Heard on High” in double time demonstrates how significantly tempo can impact a song’s energy.
- Bluegrass Instrumentation and Style: The inherent drive and rhythm of bluegrass instrumentation naturally lend themselves to creating an upbeat feel, even with slower melodies.
- D Tuners: Martian suggested using D tuners with “Jingle Bells” (though cautioned against its gospel suitability by others) to add a bluegrass banjo element, highlighting how instrumental techniques can enhance the bluegrass feel.
- Dynamic Arrangements: njwater’s suggestion to start songs in straight time and transition to a faster tempo adds dynamic interest and engagement.
Conclusion: Finding Your Upbeat Gospel Christmas Song
The quest for the perfect upbeat gospel Christmas song for a bluegrass band is clearly achievable, as evidenced by the wealth of suggestions from the banjo forum community. From adapting existing bluegrass tunes with gospel lyrics to revitalizing traditional carols with an energetic tempo and bluegrass instrumentation, the options are plentiful.
The key takeaway is to experiment! Listen to the suggested songs, consider their lyrical content and melodic structure, and most importantly, play around with tempo and bluegrass arrangements. Your church band is sure to find a gospel Christmas song that’s both uplifting in spirit and upbeat in tempo, perfect for a joyous Christmas celebration.
