Song Snapshots #4: He’s My Song
Song Snapshots is a column featuring the stories behind new and classic Southern Gospel songs.
The Old Paths recorded “He’s My Song” on their latest recording (Right Now, 2012). The song dates back to the mid-1990s, when its writer, Ray Scarbrough, recorded it with his group, The Supernals.
The Supernals sent the song to radio stations in their region of Tennessee. (Scarbrough recalls, “It didn’t do a lot of good to send it out to Seattle, Washington, when we’re not working out there.”)
One night, the Supernals were singing at a little country church in Tennessee, and sang the song. After the service was over, the church pianist approached Scarbrough, saying, “I want to talk to you about that song you all did tonight, ‘He’s My Song.’ My husband was the pastor at this church. Here a couple of months ago, he takes off with another woman. He left me here with these kids.”
“As I pulled in the parking lot, I could just feel every eye looking at me. I’d slide in on the piano bench, and I’d just feel everyone staring. It was just tough.
On Saturday nights, she would dread going to church the following morning, and would contemplate ending her life. One Saturday night, she recalled, “I got myself a pistol, and I loaded it, and I put it on the nightstand. I told myself, ‘I’ll put this pistol on the nightstand. And when I wake up in the morning, I’ll reach over before I have a chance to talk myself out of it, get the barrel to my head, pull the trigger, and it’ll all be over with.’”
The following morning, her alarm clock radio woke her up. The song the station was playing was “He’s My Song.” After hearing it, she decided against committing suicide.
“In the end,” Ray Scarbrough comments, “I just want to reach as many hearts and lives for Christ as possible. The songs filter through me first; if they help others like they help me, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to be able to do it.”
Videos
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Cool backstory on that song. I actually thought it was a newer, original song for the Old Paths.
When watching the video, i noticed a commenter had posted that Ray has started a new quartet called “Parable”.
You’re welcome! I interviewed Ray about a number of songs. I think Parable comes up in some of the other stories.
Ive known Ray all of my life, as the Supernals were my family! Ray is probably the most under rated writer in the business! Hes My Song is just the tip of the iceburg of the material hes written.. One im really glad Old Paths cut is “Im Saved”, this song should have been recorded by someone long before now! This new cd is one of the best ive heard in years!
On a side note, the Supernals still tour and sing every weekend all across the country, so check out the current group!