57 thoughts on “GOH: Happiness Is The Lord”

  2. I half expected to hear Lawrence Welk at the end saying “What a wonnerful, wonnerful song…”

    1. Yeah, that too.

      With all due respect to the late Mr. Welk–for whom I really do have affection–does anyone else find that this kind of relentlessly upbeat, artificial happy music makes your brain switch off? Once I actually started listening to the song, I completely zoned out. It’s like the music that plays when the patients take their medicine in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.

      1. Mr. Welk–for whom I really do have affection

        Ah, so do I. I even have some of his records…

    2. I closed my eyes, and saw bubbles. I didn’t even see your comment first. Glad I am not the only one who thought of Lawrence Welk.

      1. To all who loved the great Lawrence Welk His show made me love music because you could see that he truly did. I used to dance in my living room with the dancers on the show when I was 3. The bubbles were magical!!! What a good memory.

  4. I’m actually having a fundy twitch/flashback. Made me think of the Gaither songs my folks had us sing at the nursing home. One of the main reasons I didn’t force my kids to sing during church or ‘children’s specials’. “I am a Promise, I am a Possibility; I am a Promise, with a capital P.” Wow, I can’t believe I remember that much.

  5. We used to sing this at Children’s programs growing up in my IFB church. I remember once telling my mom “but mom, I’m *not* always happy, but I know I’m a Christian.” She wisely responded that most songs don’t do a great job about always telling the whole truth about our lives. I found this to be especially true in the IFB.

  6. I had Lawrence Welk flashback memories from that one. Good thing there were no sharp objects close by or I would have gouged my eyes out.

    1. Hehehehe A friend of mine and a fundy-but-without-most-of-the-insanity pastor that we know always joke about their band: Pontius Pilate and the Nail Drivin’ 5. :mrgreen:

      I wish they would actually make it, not just joke about the name. 😆

  10. Hmmm… looks like we have a girl wearing pants at 1:30 (hard to tell, but the center figure seemed to be female in outline).

    Fundies object!

    I did like the bass singer.

    I’m certainly happier with the Lord than without Him.

  11. I see serious potential of these videos making it in to the wrong hands and being a favorite to watch while on drugs.

  14. I first learned this at a Good News Bible Club (CEF). The singing just sounds smarmy. 😕

  16. Begin rant/

    You know what’s wrong with this? The pervasive lie that if you accept Christ your life will be a bowl of cherries. This lie is systemic in western evangelical Christianity. In the IFB it’s chirpy songs and sermons like this; in other churches it’s different versions of the prosperity gospel, etc.

    How many people do you know who have shook their fist at God and left Christianity because tragedy struck their lives? Death, disease, depression, etc.? Because tragedy wasn’t supposed to happen because they were believers?

    And how many people do you know who became depressed or suicidal because tragedy struck, and the church insinuated that they weren’t allowed to feel their feelings, because they were supposed to be happy happy happy, even in the face of tragedy? So they beat themselves to an emotional pulp because they couldn’t be happy and “trust in the Lord.”

    Songs like this aren’t as innocent as they appear.

    /end rant

    1. I get your point, but maybe that’s not the point of the song. Sure, it’s all syrupy and it’s so sugary that it rots the molars out of your head (especially this rendition). Isn’t the point, though, that happiness isn’t supposed to be based on how good or bad everything is, but in having a longer view of your eventual destination? I didn’t see this as an “everything is great!” thing as an “I know how it ends” thing.

    2. Agreed. One of my best friends, who is schizophrenic, put it quite bluntly: “Christians aren’t ok with your not being ok.”

  17. Sounds exactly like the music and the Magic Kingdom. And, yes, I hate the Magic Kingdom, too, and precisely because of the music.

    1. How can anyone hate the Magic Kingdom and the music? Disney is my happy place, love walking down Main Street and hearing the sounds, running into the Dapper Dan’s, smelling the sweet smells from the bakery. Love getting the kids haircut at the Barber Shop, meeting the mayor, riding a horse drawn carriage, watching peoples expression when they first see the castle. I LOVE Disney!

      So sad I’m missing Night of Joy this year, got to see Chris Tomlin and David Crowder singing in front of the castle last year.

  18. I could just see the snow white beaches and the blue green surf…and the boys on one beach and the girls on another.

  19. I also had a Lawrence Welk flashback. I thought it was the late ’60s on a Saturday night at my Granny’s house. Thanks for the pleasant memory. All it needed was Myron Florin to step in with a solo.

  23. Dear Darrell, Like an onion you have many layers that make me cry. They really worked you over.

    1. Mine too. And what’s worse is that I could sing along with the whole thing even though I haven’t heard the song in years!!

  26. When I was a teenager in youth group back in the 70s, we used to sing this, but we’d sing “path” instead of “trip” to avoid any reference to drugs. 🙄

    1. That’s just too funny! They probably mentioned the “avoid appearance of evil” verse or principle that demanded the word change.

  27. What a flashback! I was transported back to the late 70s. Our ensemble was called “The Good Life Singers,” and most of our music sounded just like this. We were required to smile during every song…regardless of the song’s message.

    “Happiness is the Lord,” but we weren’t supposed to seek or expect happiness. Just another confusing message that came my way throughout childhood. The music had to be cheerful. So did I. Anything else (anything real) was a bad attitude. Any expression of emotion was considered showy. What is happiness if not an emotion?

  28. Another video from Rob Madden of “I’m No Kin to the Monkey” & Pastor John Keeter fame.

    It’s a well spring of resources!!!

    😉 😆

  31. This style always reminds me of old Christmas tv specials. “Holly Jolly Christmas” anyone?

  32. In defense of the song,it was written to be performed in this style. The “Disney-Lawrence Welk” mantra of this era seemed to be what the people wanted. Mr. Gaither was just supplying the demand.

    Doesn’t mean it’s not creepy, jus sayin…

    Oh, and the Heritage Singers are anything but fundy. They are highly capable musicians who venture into almost all styles found in Christianity. I, for one, respect their vocal artistry.

    Doesn’t mean this song isn’t creepy… :mrgreen:

  33. My mommy told me something,
    A little girl should know,
    It’s all about the devil,
    And I learned to hate him so…
    Arfgggggggghhhhh!

  34. I’d have to say, in my winding path as a songwriter, I’m learning about the necessity of honesty in songs at all costs. Most normal people can see right through your facade. I’m also glad that I was able to sit in a couple “music committee” meetings at my college. As nauseating as they were, they taught me a valuable lesson through bad example.

  37. Though I do like being joyful, positive, and love happy-sounding songs, I’m realistic and definitely know that the Christian life is as full of earthly sorrows as the next person’s. Also, variety in music is good. Too much sugary-sweetness will rot your brain (haha).

    Also, I used to love Ron Hamilton’s music when I first joined church choir. Then I got to school and sang a variety of music. I now cringe whenever someone says he’s “real good.” It’s all so much the same! Same rhythm patterns in many songs. I can never hear the song and follow along with it and sing it the first time through because I’ve been exposed to so much Hamilton stuff.

  39. Hey Guys & Gals,

    Appreciate all the comments. Some were hilarious, and some were “mean-spirited”!

    Look I believe in the Fundamentals of the Faith. I have trusted Christ as my Saviour! (note the kjv rendering)I agree that there’s a lot of hypcricy in fundamental circles. But, some good christian music has come out of that camp, and I like listening to, and believe others do to. So that’s why I produce it. I don’t have any problems with dipicting Jesus in long hair, or women in pants, or psychadelic colours. (kjv again)

    So please continue to view my videos and feel free to use them anywhere, anytime, any place as you wish! Please make as many comments, (positive or negative)I’m all for open dialogue on the things of christianity!

    So I thank you all!

    Yours Truly,

    ParsonRob aka Rob Madden

  40. I’m afraid NO church is immune to this virus. A distressingly chirpy little tune called “Enter, Rejoice and Come In” wormed its way into the Unitarian Universalist songbook, along side with many *actual* GOH’s.

    (With new humanist lyrics, of course — which didn’t help at all.)

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