I’ve written several posts over the last year or so that invoke country music as a source of folk wisdom. A few examples:
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We need more dads like the one Ashley McBryde sings about in her song “Bible and a .44.” Great song, with a great vision of fatherhood.
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“Well, you know what’s wrong with the world today,
People done gone and put their Bible’s away,
They’re living by the law of the jungle, not the law of the land.”
Hard to argue with the assessment of our society Charlie Daniels sang about in 1989. The lyrics of his song “Simple Man” are even more relevant now than they were then. He gave us the right solution, we just didn’t listen. Charlie probably wouldn’t have known it, but he was singing about general equity theonomy.
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David as a young man is presented to us as a human “Swiss Army Knife” in 1 Samuel 16-17. He is a man of many skills and many virtues. He’s the ancient version of what Hank Williams Jr. sang about in “A Country Boy Can Survive.” David and Hank both remind that masculinity is measured by competence and wide-ranging dominion.
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Shenandoah’s song “Sundays in the South” is a summation of what modern secularization has taken from much of America. It could serve as a theme song for “Christian nationalism,” the same way “Before the Lord We Bow” could be the official hymn of “Christian nationalism.”
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Sometimes I wonder if it’s possible to improve on the marital counsel you can get from a 3 minute Alan Jackson song….
Check out these lyrics and tell me if anything is missing:
You have the permanent bond of marriage, a stable home to raise kids (and even for those children to turn back to for support once they become adults), a wise (and traditional/biblical) division of labor between husband and wife, a woman who embraces sacrificial domesticity to build her household, a man who embraces his sacrificial role as provider by using his skills/competencies, etc.
If Solomon wrote a country song about the family/home-life instead of Psalm 128, this might be it….
“Home” by Alan Jackson
[Verse 1]
In small town down in Georgia, over forty years ago
Her maiden name was Musick ’til she met that Jackson boy
They married young like folks did then, not a penny to their name
But they believed the one you vowed to love should always stay the same
[Verse 2]
And on the land his daddy gave him, a foundation underway
For a love to last forever, or until their dying days
They built a bond that’s strong enough to stand the test of time
And a place for us to turn to when our lives were in a bind
[Chorus]
And they made their house from a tool shed
Granddaddy rolled down on two logs
And they built walls all around it
And they made that house a home
And they taught us about good living
They taught us right from wrong
Lord, there’ll never be another place
In this world that I’ll call home
[Verse 3]
My mama raised five children, four girls and there was me
She found her strength and faith in God and a love of family
She never had a social life, home was all she knew
Except the time she took a job to pay a bill or two
[Verse 4]
My daddy skinned his knuckles on the cars that he repaired
He never earned much money, but he gave us all he had
He never made the front page, but he did the best he could
And folks drove their cars from miles around to let him look underneath the hood
[Chorus]
And they made their house from a tool shed
Granddaddy rolled down on two logs
And they built walls all around it
And they made that house a home
And they taught us about good living
They taught us right from wrong
Lord, there’ll never be another place
In this world that I’ll call home
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Continuing the theme…
It’s rare for pop culture to produce anything wise when it comes to the male/female relationship but country music has produced a few examples over the years. Here’s one from Alabama that captures husband/wife roles, sexual polarity, man as provider, wife as homemaker, etc.:
“It Works” by Alabama
He rattles his glass, she jumps up fast
And pours him a glass of tea
Deep in her heart she believes
That’s the way it should be
Yeah, and I’ve seen my dad get fightin’ mad
Over one little four-letter word
He’ll tell you fast you don’t talk like that around her
We may not see it the way they see it
We may not do it the way they do it
But she lives here life for him
And he’d gladly die for her
And even in this modern age, it works
Though he’s been down in his back
He still jumps out of that sack
Ev’ry mornin’ at 5 a.m. Having her home
With the kids has been worth it to him
Yeah, and she takes pride in bein’ his wife
And making their house a home
And sometimes she wishes the world
Would just leave them alone
We may not see it the way they see it
We may not do it the way they do it
But she lives here life for him
And he’d gladly die for her
And even in this modern age, it works
If the good Lord’s willin’ there will come a day
When our children will say
We may not see it the way they see it
We may not do it the way they do it
But she lives her life for him
And he’d gladly die for her
And even in this modern age, it works
Even in this modern age, it works…
This one hits close to home because I can remember my grandfather sitting in his chair in his living room, holding forth, and when he’d rattle his glass, my grandmother would jump up and fill his glass with tea. Yes, deep in her heart she knew this is how it is supposed to be.
The lyrics here are a bit cliched – “she lives her life for him and he’d gladly die for her” – but the cliche is fully biblical. This is straight out of Ephesians 5. (My guess the author of the lyrics got the line from preacher’s sermon or wedding homily. Preachers talk like this all the time.)
The wife is proud to be *his* wife – the essence of the respect Scripture commands her to show her husband. He is willing to sacrifice himself for her – and does so as he gets up early to go to work despite bodily pain – so he can provide for her. This is the love Scripture commands him to give her. He makes it possible for her to be the nurturer, home with their kids, where they can benefit from her maternal care. He protects her – not even allowing vulgar language to be spoken in her presence. In return, she transforms their house into a home full of joy and beauty. There is a dance between them; they each know the steps and so they move in sync. There is polarity – they are equals, but not the same. They have distinct masculine and feminine roles to play. The script for marriage is inscribed deeply into each of them. My sense is this couple did not have to read a book to tell how to be married. They just knew.
The title of the song is a reminder that while times may change, human nature and God’s design for the family do not. The lyrics are exactly right: living by God’s ways for marriage still work. Yes, even in 2025, “it works.” There is nothing better than a man who acts as a Christ-like sacrificial head of his wife, protecting and providing for the family, united to a respectful and nurturing wife who pours herself out for him and their children in the context of the home.
youtu.be/ixrwS_0IEtk?si…
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From an old post on this blog:
Our culture is so confused about men, and women, and marriage, there are precious few examples of a decent understanding of the sexes in pop culture. But I figure it might help to share one such example to show that even non-Christians in America can sometimes get fairly close to the truth about men and women. This is a rare piece of pop culture gender sanity, as it presents the man and woman in straight-forward, traditional, complementary sex roles. My example is country singer Blake Shelton’s song, “I’ll Name the Dogs.” The lyrics are reproduced here with my commentary:
Girl, it’s high time, I tell ya
No more messin’ around
Time to lay these cards on the table
And just throw it on out
Note that the man takes the initiative with the woman — and therefore assumes all the risk in the relationship. He is also timely — he’s not waiting around for her to start asking if he is ever going to propose. There is no “undue delay of marriage,” as our fathers at Westminster put it. He is timely in his proposal, not dragging out the length of their courtship unnecessarily. He’s ready to get married, to take on the many manly responsibilities of family life.
I’m talkin’ you and me with the same street name
Same last name, same everything
It’s a real thing, a how I feel thing
So I’mma go on and take a swing
This man is not afraid of marriage — indeed marriage appears as an aspiration, a goal, a blessing. They have not lived together prior to marriage, but once married they will share a street name. The singer makes it very clear that marriage means a total conjoining of their lives, including her last name changing to his (which tells you the woman he is pursuing is not an “independent” feminist type).
You find the spot and I’ll find the money
This man knows his role will be that of provider. She will be his glory — she beautifies his life by picking the right spot for their home. He is motivated to work in order to take care of her. She turns a house into a home with the resources he brings in to their marriage. What he initiates, she completes, and what he gives her, she glorifies.
This is just what we see in Genesis 2 – the man is oriented to work outside the home, she is oriented to the home.
You be the pretty and I’ll be the funny
Again, she brings glory into his life (1 Cor. 11). She is beautiful, and her beauty is valued. Physical attractiveness is not her only asset, but he’s not afraid to tell her he appreciates her looks. There is no embarrassment over the fact that the a man is drawn to feminine beauty.
Men have always used a sense of humor as one way of attracting a woman. Women like to laugh — this man knows that, and makes sure he keeps her laughing. Note that most comediennes (at least famous ones) have been men. Men are funnier because women value a funny man more than men value a funny woman. Men do not necessarily look to women to make them laugh the way women look to men to make them laugh. There is an asymmetry in how important a strong sense of humor is in each sex. A relationship where he tells jokes and she laughs at them (however bad they are) is usually a strong, healthy, well-adjusted relationship. Men could solve a lot of their marriage problems if they would only learn to (and remember to) playfully tease (or flirt with) their wives on a regular basis. Humor has a way of defusing tension and anxiety. Women tend to be anxious creatures, especially when it comes to men, going back to what happened in the Garden of Eden. When her husband is funny, flirtatious, and teases her playfully, it puts her at ease. She draws comfort from the sense that he is in charge; after all, if he can laugh and joke, he must feel pretty good about things.
You plant the flowers, I’ll plant the kisses
Again, she brings glory into their shared life — in this case the beauty of a garden. He is affectionate, taking the lead in physically pursuing her in their marriage.
Baby, let’s get right down to business
I’ll hang the pictures, you hang the stars
You pick the paint, I’ll pick a guitar
More of the same. She is domestic, building and beautifying the home and thus his life. As with humor, men have often used music to attract a woman. This is what is sometimes called “game” and it is something every man who wants to be successful in his marriage must develop. Again there is asymmetry: a man is not going to value a woman’s musical skill the way she will value his (e.g., women are often attracted to male rock stars in ways men are not attracted to female rock stars). What the man and woman look for in each other is not the same.
Humor and music are certainly not the only tools a man can use to draw a woman, but they are helpful. Likewise, the man’s commitment to providing for her and actually building a family with her are attractive to her. He has skills, he is oriented to dominion, etc.
Sing you a song out there with the crickets and the frogs
You name the babies and I’ll name the dogs, yeah
They’re going to have kids! The purpose of marriage goes beyond personal pleasure and companionship for the spouses; it involves the formation of household that will create and nurture the next generation. Families have a future in and through their children. They will have a legacy together through their children, who are the result of their shared love.
The song lyrics acknowledge the mother’s special relationship to her babies. There are several examples in Scripture of mothers naming their babies– indeed, mothers name children more often than fathers (Gen. 4:1, 19:37-38, 29:31-30:24, 38:3-5, Ex. 2:10, Jdg. 13:24, 1 Sam. 1:20, 4:21, Isa. 7:14, 1 Chron. 4:9, 7:16). This reinforces the woman’s nurturing, home-centered domestic role. She is “into” her husband and kids.
Of course, if the song acknowledges that men have a special bond with their dogs, I won’t argue.
You can park your car in the driveway
I’ll park my truck in the grass
An example of manly chivalry: he takes care of her, treats her in a special way, disadvantages himself in order to make her life easier. He is a leader and initiator but also a servant who cares for her.
I’ll put a little swing on the front porch
If you put a little tea in my glass
Again, we see their respective roles: He is the worker/provider, in this case putting a swing on the front porch. She is domestic, making tea for him to enjoy. Their different roles allows them to each contribute in the ways they are best suited, and in ways that complement one another. She doesn’t resent doing the domestic work and he is happy to be the dependable breadwinner. The differences between the sexes are not an obstacle to be overcome (as in feminism) but a great source of enjoyment and pleasure.
Watch the sun set from a gravel road
Kiss me in the kitchen on your tippy toes
Still lovin’ on you when the rooster crows
Watching way more than the garden grow
The romantic/sexual element of their marriage highlighted — as it should be.
You find the spot and I’ll find the money
You be the pretty and I’ll be the funny
You plant the flowers, I’ll plant the kisses
Baby, let’s get right down to business
I’ll hang the pictures, you hang the stars
You pick the paint, I’ll pick a guitar
Sing you a song out there with the crickets and the frogs
You name the babies and I’ll name the dogs
Yeah, laying next to you every night
Sounds like a —- good life
The song’s summary of married life: Not a ball and chain, but a blessing.
You find the spot and I’ll find the money
You be the pretty and I’ll be the funny
You plant the flowers, I’ll plant the kisses
Baby, let’s get right down to business
I’ll hang the pictures, you hang the stars
You pick the paint, I’ll pick a guitar
Sing you a song out there with the crickets and the frogs
You name the babies and I’ll name the dogs
Yeah, I’ll name the dogs
You name the babies and I’ll name the dogs
Yeah, I’ll name the dogs
In summary: This is a pro-marriage and pro-family song. It does a good job grasping the polarity between the sexes that drives attraction. Men and women are different and it is precisely those differences that draw us to one another. The mystery of attraction is not eliminated, but something important about it is explained. When we seek to eliminate sexual differences, we diminish attraction. When we advocate for androgyny or egalitarianism, we kill romance.
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“What this world needs is a few more rednecks.” — Charlie Daniels
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Chris Stapleton has a lyric that captures the state of our culture pretty well: “Falling feels like flying until you hit the ground.” That line has a lot of application.
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One of my favorites genres of country music is “life advice” songs. Some examples:
Some of It (this one describes how pastors often feel when giving counsel)
Simple Man
Pure and Simple
Keep It Between the Lines
Every Mother’s Son
Behind the Times
That’s What I’ve Been Told
Better Than Me
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From my informal observations:
The most mentioned bar in country music is the Flora-Bama — and with good reason.
The most mentioned interstate in country music (from what I can tell) is I-65. (From a quick search — I actually don’t know all of these songs: Talladega by Eric Church, When It Rains It pours by Luke Combs, The Ride by David Allen Coe, Between Jennings and Jones by Jamey Johnson, Bettin’ Man by Riley Geen, Stone at the Jukebox by Hank Jr., I’ll Change Your Flat Tire by Merle, Too Close to Home by Chris Knight, Route 65 to Nashville, Born Again in Dixieland, Ellsworth, etc.)
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Quite a few songs, country and otherwise, mention Alabama (they’re not always favorable, but usually they are):
Sweet Home Alabama
My Home’s in Alabama
Alabama Clay
Stars in Alabama
Talladega
Alabama Pines
Bury me in Dixie (“God bless Alabama from sea to Tennessee”) – a great celebration of the state
All in Alabama
Midnight in Montgomery
The Ride
Alabama – Cross Canadian Ragweed
Alabama – Neil Young
Three Alabama Icons
Birmingham
Ronnie and Neal
Tennessee River
Song of the South
Mountain Music
Dixieland Delight
Flora-Bama
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