Again, as Leah Libresco's essay "The Sun Is Always Shining In Modern Christian Pop" shows, traditional Christian hymns have more negative content compared to popular Christian music, the hymns containing more "Winter Christian" themes.
But what about comparing the Winter Christian themes in Christian pop music from different generations?
Specifically, I've been listening to a lot of Hank Williams lately. And as I think about the themes of Hank Williams' gospel songs, the "contemporary Christian music" of his day, dark themes are very predominant.
And I don't think Hank Williams is an exception here. I bet the gospel music of the '40s and '50s--Christian pop music circa 1950--is significantly darker than modern Christian pop music. Because just like today, the Christian music on the radio in the '40s and '50s, while created for commercial success, eventually found its way into the hymnbooks of Sunday morning worship services.
As a taste, here is one of my favorite Hank Williams gospel songs, a song entitled "The Angel of Death":
In the great book of John you're warned of the day,You can listen to Hank Williams sing the song here.
When you'll be laid beneath the cold clay.
The angel of death will come from the sky,
And claim your poor soul when the time comes to die.
When the angel of death comes down after you,
Can you smile and say that you have been true?
Can you truthfully say with your dying breath,
That you're ready to meet the angel of death?
When the lights all grow dim and the dark shadows creep,
And then your loved ones are gathered to weep.
Can you face them and say with your dying breath,
That you're ready to meet the angel of death?
When the angel of death comes down after you,
Can you smile and say that you have been true?
Can you truthfully say with your dying breath,
That you're ready to meet the angel of death?
"The Angel of Death" was once Christian pop music. I can't imagine a song further from what you hear today on Christian radio today. Or in a Christian worship service.
