Let The Lower Lights Be Burning | Tennessee Ernie Ford | Mar 9, 1961

Tennessee Ernie Ford performs the hymn, "Let The Lower Lights Be Burning" on The Ford Show, March 9, 1961.
"And now a great old hymn that we dedicate to all men of the sea."
Ford recorded the song for his 1957 studio album, "Hymns," which became one of the best selling of all time, and spent 277 weeks on the Billboard 200.
About Tennessee Ernie Ford
Born Ernest Jennings Ford on February 13th, 1919 in Bristol, Tennessee, Tennessee Ernie Ford has made an indelible impact on America and the world through his unparalleled accomplishments in radio, records and television.
Throughout his legendary career spanning over 50 years, Ernie Ford's early successes as a radio personality led to his signing with Capitol Records in 1949. Through 1976, he released a total of eighty-three albums on the label--and literally scores of single records, including his classic version of Merle Travis' timeless anthem to the working man, "Sixteen Tons"...at the time of its release, the fastest selling single in Capitol's history.
About The Ford Show
On Thursday night, October 4th, 1956, NBC premiered The Ford Show Starring Tennessee Ernie Ford.
As prime-time's # 1 half-hour variety show for five years, The Ford Show featured all the ingredients of the top variety shows of the day; Hollywood's greatest guest stars, top-of-the-line production, and terrific music. But one simple element separated it from all others...Ernie closed virtually every show with a hymn, a spiritual or a song of faith. For the time, it was a bold and powerful statement for a popular entertainer of Ford's stature to be making on live television, especially in the face of the initial objections from Madison Avenue and the network. But it was a statement that would become the trademark of his career, and in many ways, the mark of his life. It would earn him the distinction of almost single-handedly bringing inspirational music into the mainstream of American entertainment...an enduring legacy of the lasting impact that one man's expression of faith can have on millions of people.
www.ernieford....
/ tennesseeernieford
#tennesseeernieford #thefordshow #hymn #odetta

[@marthal6116]

Election Day here in USA and this is exactly what I needed to see. 😂

[@r1zer_official]

Like for Stephen King and Carrie!

[@TheGreekPianist]

I was reading Carrie by Stephen King. Page 59 features this song! I’m glad it was featured in the 2013 film! ♥️

[@AllanFrederiksen83]

Exactly why I'm here. I just started reading it.

[@sebastianlemus6297]

I’m here also from Carrie book !

[@mytomanen_bre]

I'm also reading the book right now! In a small harbour town in south Sweden, i rest my legs on break at work and read the bok and listening this song.

[@janzeleny5602]

Another one. Greetings from Czech republic.

[@secundariaprovidencia9655]

me too

[@barbaraducasse4718]

There.is.so.much.healing in these old songs.

[@deborahhurtt9304]

It's amazing how hymns were sung on the television and it was completely normal. My, have we devolved

[@edwardhill7045]

The days of good television .How the course of the nation has changed .Let us go back to the old land marks where God was honored and the nation was blessed because they obeyed God

[@Er-sv5tn]

You're comment was 2 years ago. It's much worse now

[@extremelyphanatic]

Yes, I'm here because of Carrie ^^

[@juntokasg7254]

jejeje exacto

[@creatern]

extremelyphanatic me too

[@christopherjbell]

Not Carrie, but Columbo

[@mr.f7218]

Pag. 59

[@KC-ed1dj]

Same. Was surprised to realize this was a real song, and that "Ernie Ford" was a real person.

[@antoorive2350]

Margaret white XD carrie!!! Carrie lovers

[@steuerzahlernr1]

Yes 2021

[@texasbest308]

I had forgotten about that. This is the song Margaret White was listening to while she was sewing

[@JustaJackalope]

Ernie Ford has a beautiful voice, he is gifted. Both of those combined with the excellent lyrics of this gospel form into one of the best songs a human ear can comprehend. The song itself is amazing with or without a beautiful voice. In God's eyes your voice doesn’t matter as long as it's praise. Ernie Ford is gifted for his truly amazing talent. Amen

[@mrtwang32]

The thing is Ernie could sing ANYTHING! Ballads, folk songs, novelty tunes, spirituals and great rocking boogie tunes too. As celebrated as he is by his fans Ernie Ford is shamefully under appreciated as a first class American singer.

[@george19171]

I remember this song by tennessee from 1959 I always listeded to it with my adopted father.I was only 10. I am now 60 and it brings back fun memories on the farm with Pap. He loved it very much. God rest his soul.. RIP Pap. Thank you for this song

[@michaelclendenen4005]

Mercy is Our SAVIOR way and I'm good with it .I'm ready now

[@blackrhino3442]

I searched for this. I had this cd in the 80s. Hard to find this version.

[@nancyanderson5310]

Fainting, struggling folk must be given light, help TOP PRIORITY! Lord, hear our prayer. Bless you, Ernie Ford, for singing the glory!

[@marygossett4547]

I just loved her. What a wonderful Christian woman.

[@alejandrochiappara8305]

Leyendo Carrie, de Stephen King, es como llegué acá.

[@tanzaniamarchetta4706]

Jajajajajaja igual yo

[@sebastianrogue5071]

x3

[@rosarioramirez930]

Igual yo 😊

[@karomon7303]

x4

[@cristian_4205]

Me sumo

[@vikkismith7497]

My sprit just lead me to this song from the olden days. It's not the regular song but it's just as good as the one I wanted.

[@mercydixon1958]

praises be to the ALMIGHTY God.

[@birdbrain7569]

How in the hell did anyone ever forget such a hauntingly beautiful voice and and a dope ass mustache

[@Tripleaught18]

This one says it all.. Sums up the New Testament in one great hymn.

[@TonyGPizza]

VERY underrated, unremembered singer. This TV show was innovative for its day.

[@666toysoldier]

Unremembered? Not yet, there's still a lot of us alive who watched his TV show.

[@NeonDreamStar]

Why can't music be like this now :'( I'd rather have this and rock/metal.... these songs have passion and wonder...

[@larryingle6707]

Back in the late Fifties we would sing this powerful song on Sundayi Night Church Services, the favorite of Mr. Kaye Batz, an 80 yr old Sailor who had sailed around the entire globe on two occasions. . Mr Batz would tear up, remembering the dangers of the high seas. I was a teen ager and this song has sustained me for over sixty years. THANK YOU MR. FORD.

[@terrymartin8672]

I remember mr Ford from when I was young, I do miss him on TV

[@lonestar2078]

My dad's dad served in the Coast Guard and this was one of his favorite hymns.

[@JustMe-vd9cp]

many ,many thumbs up!

[@alwieg2429]

The man with the golden voice

[@Gods2ndFavoriteBassPlyr]

Lots of singers/entertainers - come and gone... But a voice like this - I don't think we'll see the likes of this kind of talent pass this way anytime soon. What a rare, rare gem.

[@tigerlilly66]

Ahh, what a voice. I am a bass/baritone and I could only hope to sing somewhere close to TEF in my dreams. I bless his memory and look forward to a sit-down with him on the other side!

[@9005067]

he has a beautiful voice

[@bobvocal]

Lovely baritone voice with on this wonderful Gospel Hym

[@miltonmoore8369]

Hymn😊😊 😊

[@jaimecaroleledford79]

This and Rescue the Perishing are my two favorite soul winning hymns💓✝⚓

[@RoyJMartin]

a low Base voice singing, a choir in the back and a piano in the back, how can such thing not touch you!! thanks for uploading.

[@altmarkmaik]

Hello of friends! I lives in Germany (east Germany). I heard it in Germany with the song of Sixteen Tons in the radio. I was immediately inspired and with youtube checked equivalent here. Super a voice and a radiant emittance!!! One of the best songs which I ever heard. Dear greeting Mike from Germany

[@60Cascade]

He'd done it all and didn't have anything to prove to anyone. And let's remember he'd been through alot and had alot of painful things happen to him. I hope he's at peace now in a better place. Maybe him and Cash are singing in that heavenly choir together.

[@moproducer]

That's another one that is powerfully awesome.

[@organforheartevarosemarier9773]

Beautiful 💝💝💝

[@sergeypivovarov653]

He is the best one.

[@pro3tlb]

My Uncle Richard used to sing this song when I was a child. I remember one time when Joe and Rose Lee Maphis had stopped by to visit my Grandmother and they joined Richard in singing this old song. This song was sung by many Merchant Marines during World War Two and it was on the North Atlantic where Richard had first heard it.

[@JustMe-vd9cp]

profound.and meaningful.Thank you for sharing this history.

[@donaldshelton9794]

Joe Mathis was an uncle of a friend of mine. Her father was Joe’s brother. Small world

[@nigelzzr]

Absolutely beautiful song

[@thiagolberaldo]

I'm a member of the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints and I love this hynm.

[@sylvestercaff5691]

Important words,praise our saviour Jesus

[@daniellee4389]

Momma sings this to me when I pray in the closet :D cuz I sinned and she says if I pray for forgiveness my sins will go away :D

[@lonemapper]

Nothin but BEAUTIFUL!!

[@DeLongPatrolOtter]

I'm probably going to do this for solo ensamble this year. :) PS He's really good and I love his voice. :D

[@valentinacastaneda3609]

Carrie brought me here!

[@antoniomedellinloberas6425]

Revival!

[@SimonSolomampionona]

I like this song , i remember a friend and my sweet memories

[@NeonDreamStar]

I'm a liberal but I appreciate the use of God and religious songs.... they still touch my heart

[@weissschnabel6210]

Momma's favorite song! I still remember that time when I was locked in the closet, praying for forgiveness, because once she caught me looking to a girl's dirtypillows with lustful thoughts xP She was always listening to this song. Love Carrie! Great book! :3

[@steuerzahlernr1]

Deutsch ;)

[@user-ky6qk5co3u]

@@steuerzahlernr1 hier 😂

[@daveover93juguemos]

Margaret White! 2013

[@richardfernandez7737]

Hi, i'm reeding Revival by Stephen King, and this song is in 235 page, chapter 8. Really nice song✌️

[@clendenenjames8804]

The only comment I can make I wish you could have been with Billy Graham ministry

[@primaryterryharrison5944]

Jesus is coming be ready!

[@eduardoordonez7529]

dude i´m literally reading it while hearing music, and searched for this as I saw it

[@evilpixiedance]

thank you for posting. a family favorite.

[@bazthehandyman]

Awesome voice !

[@Gods2ndFavoriteBassPlyr]

Very well said - thank you ;)

[@Sigdrifa1]

One might have different opinions about his mustache, but his voice is most beautiful!

[@TeeyoDoubleDee]

@moproducer Every male doesn't have a bass voice as he does. I sing tenor and streak notes across the stratosphere as you put it, but I love Ernie Ford and George Younce and all the bass singers out there.

[@danielm2123]

The song is called "brightly beams our father's mercy"

[@ElwoodBlues68]

Here because of Tennessee Ernie Fords awesomeness!

[@60Cascade]

@moproducer Well I remember seeing an interview with her where she did acknowledge she had her own problems with addiction. Johnny Cash for years credited June Carter with helping him beat his drug addiction in the late 60's. He also talked about how for years he (and June) lied about his drug problems and tried to hide it from others. By the end of the 60's he did begin to open up about it and talk about it, and did so for the rest of his life. But you're right, it was a lifelong struggle.

[@geraldbaker4019]

Truly a great hymn. If you want to see more of Ernie Ford’s show’s from this time, I have a few videos that I uploaded in color. I hope you’ll visit soon.

[@Zmusicbox]

@moproducer I agree with you totally!

[@NateK94]

@moproducer yes.......YYYESSSS.... FINALLY, someone who agrees with me

[@Alfifa]

Heavenly : ) Karlott

[@moproducer]

@60Cascade I had opportunity to revisit this page and your comment stuns me. It was June Carter, not Johnny Cash, who flatly denied her narcotic dependency and died an addict (source: John Carter Cash, "Anchored In Love", Nashville; Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2007). Even the best of people have their demons; some, for a lifetime. I only hope that Ernie, June & Johnny are finally at peace.

[@DanielGullo]

Amen. TEF was the greatest

[@SethShow11]

Momma sent me here.. She'll find out and I'll have to go to the closet...

[@ernestinemaloy2820]

Shame shame go to ur closet and pray ...and cover those dirty pillows while ur at it so nobody will see them...lol

[@sebastianrogue5071]

nice

[@masterkenny5132]

Who else is here cuz of Carrie ?

[@bridgetleigh9353]

Lol...yep, here because of Carrie.

[@lindachloe4178]

carrie...

[@susanboylefan91]

Carrie!!!

[@moproducer]

@60Cascade Good thing you did. What did June say? Obviously, from what you've stated, John Carter Cash was incorrect about his mother.

[@mateuszkowalczyk8982]

Carrie brought me here

[@qwe.2739]

same

[@Diogensf]

Pág 52 do livro carrie do stephen king.

[@gilbertoolivares3549]

Llegue aquí x Carrie de Stephen King!!... Marzo 2020

[@Lucaxgss]

Carrie, Carrie, Carrie and Carrie. Ok baby

[@damienvargas]

Let private lives remain so, and let's just enjoy the music.

[@dashiesbbgurl]

Margaret singing this while sewing together some clothes. While Carrie is in her closet all finished with her prayers.

[@DS-kn4bs]

They forgot the last stanza warning Christians to stay to the work 😯 " trim your feeble lamp my brother, some poor sailor tempest toast, trying now to make the harbour, in the darkness may be lost." Lost souls on life's sea will never know the light unless we let it shine.....

[@60Cascade]

@moproducer You're obviously not interested in "the truth" so let's not quibble over this any farther. Just enjoy the beautiful music of Mr. Ford and believe what you want.

[@moproducer]

What is it these days, if you're a male singer, you have to nail notes up in the strato-sopranoshere? Now, here's a guy with a most definitely male voice, not trying to sing out of his range, and at least I think it sounds great.

[@Joycestarmaker]

You have been indecorous..

[@user-ky6qk5co3u]

Oh momma

[@moproducer]

@60Cascade I guess ol' John Carter never saw that interview.

[@60Cascade]

There was a big difference between Johnny Cash and Tennessee Ernie Ford that I think you're overlooking. First of all Cash WAS secretive about his drug addiction for many years. When it got to the point that he could no longer hide it he finally opened up about his problems. But it wasn't until he turned the corner, so to speak, that he felt safe talking about it. And let's face it, if it wasn't for June Carter it's very likely that Cash would have died in that terrible drug addicted state.

[@Doodooramen.]

Let's see if Margaret White has good taste of music.

[@CamelMentolado]

Carrie.

[@60Cascade]

By that time he had an image to protect. Johnny Cash on the other hand had always had that outlaw - rebel persona which may have made it easier for him to open up about his self destructive habits. Ford chose to keep his personal life PERSONAL. Like Frank Sinatra he may have felt his private life was nobodies business but his own. By the time his drinking caught up with him I don't know that he cared that much about cutting records and giving live performances anymore.

[@emz9121]

Let The Lower Lights Be Burning Song by Tennessee Ernie Ford  Overview Lyrics Videos Listen Other recordings Artists Main results Brightly beams our father's mercy From his lighthouse evermore But to us he gives the keeping Of the lights along the shore Let the lower lights be burning Send a gleam across the wave Some poor fainting, struggling seaman You may rescue, you may save Dark the night of sin has settled Loud the angry billows roar Eager eyes are watching, longing For the lights along the shore Let the lower lights be burning Send a gleam across the wave Some poor fainting, struggling seaman You may rescue, you may save

[@TheFran072]

carrie :3

[@chadwhitman1811]

The war was about secession over the issue of slavery, no other issue could at the time could have created the wedge that brought about the sectional conflict of the Civil War.The one issue today that could force that breakup of the United States today is immigration ,if for other reason the Southern Border states are being forced bear the brunt of economical and social cost of the cross border invasion of illegal immigrants. I liked the song , I have heard it with other lyrics.

[@creatern]

Solo vine acá por Carrie

[@steuerzahlernr1]

Carrie

[@javierRock01]

In the Carrie´s White House....

[@aaroncoal28]

Take your coat off and stay a while Mr. Ford.

[@JustMe-vd9cp]

Indeed!- rest your bones...old timer or young!- your wanted and needed....many here are breaking,broken,-beyond hurting,beyond crying-you can help...bring your medicine....THANK YOU VERY ,VERY MUCH!

[@overman9874]

Carrie xd

[@60Cascade]

@moproducer Look, I'm not trying to contradict anything you're saying (or have said), I'm just sharing with you something you may not have been aware of. I can tell from your tone you don't believe anything I'm saying, but that's ok. If my memory serves me correct it was on the E True Hollywood Story that June talked about her own struggle with addiction. In her ongoing effort to keep Johnny "straight" she herself began to have the same problems. She had to learn to let go, and let God.

[@moproducer]

Please don't get me wrong...I enjoy hearing guys like Randy Meisner, Phil Collins, Sting, etc., but there's something aboiut T. Ernie's vocals that say, "this is who I really am". It's such a sad shame about the tortured life he led, right to the very end. He and Johnny Cash seemed to live similar lives. The only major difference is that Ford completely hid his problems from the public.

[@TheFran072]

carrie