The Cross and the Jukebox: The Great Speckled Bird
— Friday, February 25th, 2011 —
A listener wrote in that she remembers from when she was a child her late father singing a song by Roy Acuff, “The Great Speckled Bird.” The listener said she found the song beautiful, but she had no idea what it’s about. What is this speckled bird and what does it have to do with Jesus and the Bible?
Well, it turns out this song has a lot to do with the so-called “Fundamentalist-Modernist Controversy” that raged in American Protestant denominations in the early twentieth century. Beyond that, it has a lot to do with how Christians ought to receive criticism and opposition.
On this week’s episode of “The Cross and the Jukebox,” we listen to Mr. Acuff sing about that speckled bird and look at where it comes from in the Bible, and why it matters. Listen in, and be sure to send me an email to questions@russellmoore.com about what song you’d like us to talk about and why.
The father of a sister from church recently died, and the pastor mentioned this song at the funeral. This was a brother in the Lord who happened to be Church of God, and the pastor said that right before his death, he had “come under the Holy Ghost” and had run around the church singing this song!
Thanks, Dr. Moore! This brought back great memories of my Dad. You have given me a great new understanding of The Great Speckled Bird!
Thanks for your work on “The Great Speckled Bird,” Dr. Moore. I often heard this song growing up, even though I’m only 34! But I did grow up in Alabama, so I’ve had more opportunity to hear this song.
These kinds of studies make our understanding of church history, which is already invigorating, quite entertaining! I have to admit, as I listened to Roy singing just now, my toe unconsciously started tapping.
But seriously, to connect the music of the day with the theological shifts and controversies of the day is certainly a revealing way of considering a piece of history.
Thanks again.
Good stuff as always from Dr. Moore! I found this very insightful as I’ve never bothered to listen closely to the words of the song.
The sudden controversy surrounding Rob Bell’s not-yet-released book is but only one example of how that song may pertain to our times.
Dr. Moore,
I find it very providential that you reviewed this song at this particular time. There is nothing new under the sun. It seems the controversies from that time almost a 100 years ago could very well be raising their head again in this generation. Your review of “The Great Speckled Bird” is timely and encouraging. Thank you and God bless.
For His glory, Bill
Do you even know the definition of the word “juke?”
Juke: A roadside or rural establishment offering liquor, dancing, and often gambling and prostitution.
Regional Note: Gullah, the English-based Creole language spoken by people of African ancestry off the coast of Georgia and South Carolina, retains a number of words from the West African languages brought over by slaves. One such word is juke, “bad, wicked, disorderly,” the probable source of the English word juke. Used originally in Florida and then chiefly in the Southeastern states, juke (also appearing in the compound juke joint) was an African-American word meaning a roadside drinking establishment that offers cheap drinks, food, and music for dancing and often doubles as a brothel. “To juke” is to dance, particularly at a juke joint or to the music of a jukebox whose name, no longer regional and having lost the connotation of sleaziness, contains the same word.
This certainly does not seem appropiate to be using such terms in an attempt to teach God’s truth.
Dr. Moore,
I am really enjoying your new podcast on the Cross & the Jukebox. Keep it up!
I especially enjoyed this one because it so relevant to my roots (even though I’m only 31). My grandpa, a Pentecostal preacher who preached revivals through Louisiana & other parts of the South in the 1950’s, sang this all the time. I can still hear him singing it now standing behind the mic with his Les Paul guitar. Wow, what memories. All of us grandkids always wondered what the heck the song was really about, now I know. Thank you!