Country Music

Classic Country Music Hits

Country Music

George Jones – The Lily Of The Valley

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Introduction

You know, there’s this hymn that’s always felt like a warm hug to me—”The Lily of the Valley.” Whenever I hear it, it’s like a gentle reminder that even in the toughest times, there’s a source of hope and comfort to lean on. The song beautifully portrays a personal relationship with the divine, likening Jesus to the lily of the valley—a symbol of purity and renewal.

What really makes this hymn special is how it speaks to the heart. It’s not just lofty words; it’s a heartfelt expression of finding joy and solace amidst life’s challenges. The lyrics resonate deeply, emphasizing that no matter what we’re going through, there’s always someone by our side, ready to uplift and support us.

The melody itself is so uplifting. Even on days when everything feels overwhelming, humming along can bring a sense of peace and reassurance. I think that’s why it’s stood the test of time, touching the hearts of so many people over the years.

Did you know it was written by Charles W. Fry in the late 19th century? He wrote it during a time of personal struggle, which perhaps is why the emotions feel so genuine and relatable. It’s amazing how a song born from one person’s experiences can become a source of comfort for countless others.

If you haven’t listened to it lately, maybe give it a play. Let the words and melody wash over you. It might just bring that bit of light you didn’t know you needed today

Video

Lyrics

I have found a friend in Jesus, He’s everything to me
He’s the fairest of 10, 000 to my soul
He’s the lily of the valley, in Him alone I see
All all need to cleanse and make me fully whole
In sorrow He’s my comfort, in trouble He’s my stay
He tells me every care on Him to roll
He’s the lily of the valley, the bright and morning star
He’s the fairest of 10, 000 to my soul
He will never, never leave me, nor yet forsake me here
While I live by faith and do His blessed will
A wall of fire about me, I’ve nothing now to fear
From His manna He my hungry soul shall fill
Then sweeping up to glory to see His blessed face
Where the rivers of delight shall ever roll
He’s the lily of the valley, the bright and morning star
He’s the fairest of 10, 000 to my soul
He’s the fairest of 10, 000 to my soul

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MARTY ROBBINS WAS DOING ABOUT 160 MPH WHEN A WRECK LEFT RICHARD CHILDRESS STOPPED ACROSS THE TRACK IN FRONT OF HIM. ROBBINS HAD TWO CHOICES: HIT CHILDRESS IN THE DRIVER’S DOOR — OR TURN HIS OWN CAR INTO THE CONCRETE WALL. HE TOOK THE WALL. By 1974, Robbins was already far more than a country star dabbling in racing. He had been competing in NASCAR for years, scoring several Top 10 finishes while still maintaining his music career. Then came the Charlotte 500. A multi-car wreck erupted in front of Robbins. Richard Childress’s Chevrolet came to rest with the driver’s side exposed directly in Robbins’s path. Robbins was approaching at roughly 160 mph and had only seconds to react. He later explained the decision simply: he could not stand the thought of driving straight into another driver. So Robbins turned right. His No. 42 Dodge slammed into the concrete wall instead. The impact left him with broken ribs, a broken tailbone and serious facial cuts requiring more than 30 stitches. Childress later recalled seeing Robbins bearing down on him and believing a driver-side impact could badly injure or kill him. Then he watched Robbins suddenly steer away into the wall. That makes this much stronger than a generic “country singer raced NASCAR” story. The real core is: famous country star → legitimate race driver → 160 mph → wreck blocks track → split-second choice → deliberately takes the wall rather than hit another man.

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STONEWALL JACKSON LIED ABOUT HIS AGE AND JOINED THE ARMY AT 16 JUST TO GET AWAY FROM A BRUTAL SHARECROPPER CHILDHOOD. YEARS LATER, ONE UNPLANNED WALK ACROSS A NASHVILLE STREET PUT HIM ON THE ROAD TO THE GRAND OLE OPRY. Stonewall Jackson grew up in rural Georgia in a family that had very little. His father died when Stonewall was young. His mother later remarried, and Jackson would describe his childhood under a harsh stepfather as deeply unhappy. The family worked as sharecroppers, and by his teens he was already looking for a way out. At 16, he found one. Jackson lied about his age and joined the Army. The deception was discovered, and he was discharged, but the attempt said plenty about how badly he wanted to leave home behind. A few years later, in 1950, he entered the Navy legally and served until 1954. When that chapter ended, country music was still more dream than profession. Jackson eventually made his way to Nashville in 1956. He checked into a motel and noticed the Acuff-Rose publishing office nearby. Instead of waiting for an introduction, he simply walked over and asked whether anyone there would listen to him sing. Wesley Rose did. Jackson performed several songs, and Rose heard enough to take the next step. He brought Jackson to the attention of Grand Ole Opry officials, and the unknown singer was given an audition. The result was almost unheard of. Stonewall Jackson was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry before he had even signed a recording contract. Columbia Records followed soon after. Within a few years, Jackson had major hits including “Life to Go,” “Waterloo” and “B.J. the D.J.” “Waterloo” reached No. 1 in 1959 and turned the former sharecropper into one of the most recognizable hard-country voices of the era. The speed of the change was remarkable. There had been no long Nashville apprenticeship, no years spent waiting behind another star, and no carefully arranged industry introduction. Jackson saw a publishing office from across the street, walked through the door and sang. That single decision gave Wesley Rose a voice to remember — and gave the Grand Ole Opry one of its most unusual new members.

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