Appalachian Song - Dan Cunningham

Track 12

When I returned to West Virginia in 1985, I was fascinated to see that the old tent revivals and not completely disappeared. REVIVAL is the story of an unsuspecting passerby who dropped in on one such fiery service; under the canvas and on the sawdust. In the isolated mountains of times past, the tent revival might provide entertainment, social interaction, as well as spiritual renewal. This story is a combination of testimonies from backwoods preachers initially resisting the call to preach and story of  Jonah in the Bible.

here are the lyrics:

I was laying in the sawdust, the preacher spittin’ fire 

Holy Ghost done knocked me to the ground,  I can hear that angel choir 

The prophets hand upon my forehead,   his hot breath on my face and then I heard

You must leave all behind,  You're called to preach the word

When the sun had come again, I hid myself away

High up into the mountains,  and deep, where darkness lay

It didn't seem to matter,  how far away I ran

Cause I know I been called to forsake the ways of man

I wasn't looking for religion

The lights and music drew me in

The tent afire with revival

I wanted freedom from my sin

And then it all was quiet,  I heard the voice once more

This time there weren't no prophet,  the words came just as before

It didn't matter where I tried to hide,  made no difference, high or low

I been called to preach the word and this all I know

©  2010 pickndawg music  ASCAP

words and music by Dan Cunningham

Dan Cunningham: guitars, mandolin, vocal

David Traugh added bass and drums from Logic Pro

recording info :

guitar: Larrivee SD50

recorded, mixed, initial mastering at Moviesound Studios, Parkersburg WV by David Traugh

final CD mastering at Zone 8 Studio Morgantown WV by Mark Poole


Appalachian Song CD on Amazon

Appalachian Song CD on Apple Music

LISTEN TO REVIVAL