Willie and Bobbie Nelson: Just As I Am

Thinking about that which is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, and excellent

“I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold.” Willie Nelson’s unmistakable voice rings out, clear as a bell.

“I’d rather be his than have riches untold.” Willie Nelson?

“I’d have Jesus than houses or land.” Huh.

I'd rather be led by his nail-pierced hand

Than to be the king of a vast domain

Or be held in sin's dread sway

I'd rather have Jesus than anything

This world affords today

Just As I Am,

Willie and Bobbie Nelson’s album of “hymns and gospel favorites” was not what I expected. No one sings the hymns like Willie and Bobbie. And I realized, after a while, that Willie doesn’t sing other songs like he sings the hymns, either. [This essay is Part 1, just enjoying the music. There will be other parts talking about what led to this special recording.]

I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause
I'd rather be faithful to his dear cause
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame
I'd rather be true to his holy name

Willie Nelson is one of the most famous Americans of the past 50 years. Hearing him sing those words, convincingly; it gives pause.

But at heart, Willie Nelson leads a Texas dance band. Soon, the tune is a lilting waltz, played by Willie’s younger sister, Bobbie Nelson. And then, they sing the chorus again and the song is over.

Next up is a song that Willie wrote, “Where the Soul Never Dies.”

No sad farewells
No tear dimmed eyes
Where all is love
And the soul never dies

But again, they are a dance band at heart: this one is a two-step.

A few tunes later, Willie is ripping through “I’ll Fly Away.” This song has an edge. A wistful edge. Willie knows this song is true, and he longs for it. He can almost taste it. It’s a song of release. And he (and Bobbie) share it with us. It’s also another two-step.

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)

Where He Leads Me is another song that Willie and Bobbie take head-on.

There is a resonance to Willie’s singing and Bobbie’s playing. “I’ll go with Him to the garden.” Indeed.

The twelfth song sounds like Willie and Bobbie are in a small jazz club. It’s late at night. People aren’t really listening, so they reel off Kneel At The Feet of Jesus. It’s another one that Willie wrote,

I'm gonna kneel at the feet of Jesus, in the morning
I'm gonna leave this sinful world, before the dawning

Don't you worry, and don't you moan
It's just about time, I was moving along
I'm gonna kneel at the feet of Jesus, in the morning

The title track, Just As I Am, is another beautiful song whose honesty rings through. They play it like they mean it.

Just as I am, thou wilt receive
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve
Because thy promise I believe
O Lamb of God, I come, I come

There are other treasures on the album, but only one that I want to call out tonight. “What A Friend We Have In Jesus” is a sing-songy tune that is easy to not really listen to, after all of the powerful songs that have come before.

But then, Willie sings the line, “Jesus knows your every weakness. Take it to the Lord in prayer.” You know, you just know; Willie is singing this song knowing profoundly, how true this line is. But he doesn’t sing it like a man convicted. Willie sings like someone who has been seen through, entirely; yet is “welcomed, pardoned, cleansed, relieved.”

All of those other songs about drinking and heartache just don’t have the same resonance. Some of it is the arrangements. This album is just Willie and Bobbie, and Bobbie’s son Freddy. The spareness lets all of the nuance and emotion shine through. The dancing is done by the time they get to the end. These are just songs of, and from, the heart and soul.