American Idol Contestants Sing “Shout to the Lord”

In what was a very odd moment tonight, the American Idol contestants sand “Shout to the Lord”.  Evidently they sang it last night as well and instead of singing, “My Jesus, My Savior” they sang “My Shepherd, My Savior” last night, but tonight they sang it correctly.  Josh Harris remarked about the legal implications of changing the song lyrics (it is copyright infringement) without the songwriter’s permission.  Perhaps Idol got Darlene Zschech’s permission and it was all on the up and up.  I would love to know the back-story to this one.

I actually did enjoy the Dolly Parton week on Idol this year. She is a very gracious woman with a big heart and although her voice is fading, hearing her sing “Jesus and Gravity” was great. Below are the lyrics to the song. She certainly writes differently than me, but there is an authenticity to her and her faith which is very appealing.  I also find it odd that I am nearly apologetic when explaining to my good Yankee friends that I have actually been to Dollywood. 

I’m to the point where it don’t add up
I can’t say I’ve come this far with my guitar on pure dumb luck
That’s not to say i know it all
‘Cause everytime I get too high up on my horse I fall

‘Cause I’ve got
Somethin’ lifting me up
Somethin’ holding me down
Somethin’ to give me wings and
Somethin’ to keep my feet on the ground
I’ve got all I need,
Jesus and gravity

But I’m as bad as anyone
Taking all these blessings in my life for granted one by one
When I start to thinkin’ it’s all me
Well somethin’ comes along and knocks me right back on my knees

and I’ve got

Somethin’ lifting me up
Somethin’ holding me down
Somethin’ to give me wings and
Somethin’ to keep my feet on the ground
I’ve got all i need, Jesus and gravity

He’s my friend
He’s my light
He’s my wings
He’s my ?

and I’ve got
Somethin’ lifting me up
Somethin’ holding me down
Somethin’ to give me wings and

Somethin’ to keep my feet on the ground
I’ve got all I’m gonna need,
I got Jesus, I got Jesus, I got

Somethin’ lifting me up
Somethin’ holding me down
Somethin’ to give me wings and
Somethin’ to keep my feet on the ground
I’ve got all I’ll ever need,
cause I got Jesus and gravity

Somethin’ lifting me up
Somethin’ holding me down
Somethin’ to give me wings and
Somethin’ to keep my feet on the ground
I’ve got all I’ll need
cause I’ve got Jesus and gravity

Jesus, I’ve got Jesus, I’ve got Jesus
He’s my everything
He lifts me up
He gives me wings
He gives me hope
and He gives me strength
and that’s all I’ll ever need

As long as He keeps lifting me up
He is my life
He is my God
He is my wings
He is my flight
Lift me, I’ve got Jesus, I’ve got Jesus
and that’s all I need