Country Rewind: Willie Nelson Leads an All-Star Gospel Medley

Willie Nelson's August 2017 performance at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium broke out into a star-studded gospel jamboree and we're still obsessing over it. Nelson is one of the most well known names in country music, right up there with other icons like Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard, which is why its so exciting that the legendary singer continues to perform into his 80s. 

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Longtime friend and Highwaymen collaborator of Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and supporting act Kacey Musgraves joined Nelson for three gospel standards. The brief gospel playlist included "Will The Circle Be Unbroken?," "I'll Fly Away" and Hank Williams' "I Saw The Light."

The "Always On My Mind" singer is no stranger to gospel music. Just Google the man. He and his sister Bobbie perform nothing but sacred songs on underrated 1980 album Family Bible. Likewise, Kristofferson co-wrote "One Day at a Time," one of the best songs added to the country-gospel canon in the 1970s.

The medley was followed by "Still Not Dead," which mocks the various death hoaxes involving Nelson's name. While I am partial to Nelson's classics like "On The Road Again," it really is a special treat hearing gospel songs sung with his signature sound.

'I'll Fly Away' Lyrics:

Some glad morning when this life is over

I'll fly away

To that home on God's celestial shore

I'll fly away

I'll fly away, oh glory

I'll fly away in the morning

When I die Hallelujah, by and by

I'll fly away

Just a few more weary days and then

I'll fly away

To a land where joys will never end

I'll fly away, here we go

I'll fly away, oh glory

I'll fly away in the morning

When I die Hallelujah, by and by

I'll fly away, little sister let me hear you play

Just a few more weary days and then

Let me hear it, I'll fly away

To a land where joys will never end

I'll fly away

I'll fly away, oh glory

I'll fly away in the morning

When I die Hallelujah, by and by

I'll fly away, one more time real loud

I'll fly away, oh glory

I'll fly away in the morning

When I die Hallelujah, by and by

I'll fly away, big finish

When I die Hallelujah, by and by

I'll fly away

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