A Mighty Stronghold Is Our God

A Mighty Stronghold Is Our God

Performed by Debbie “Hayride” Harper & The Prairie Songbirds

A Mighty Stronghold Is Our God — DOWNLOAD

Verse 1:
A mighty stronghold is our God,
A shelter never failing;
Our guiding light, through dust and storm,
When mortal woes are wailing.
The ancient outlaw rides,
But justice won’t abide;
His schemes may be so sly,
He’ll break you if you try,
But he can’t beat the Savior.

Verse 2:
If we relied on our own might,
We’d fall to dust and sorrow,
But there’s a Man who rides with us,
He brings hope for tomorrow.
You ask who wears the star?
It’s Christ, our Morning Star;
His name rings clear and true,
From plains to skies of blue,
He leads us through the battle.

Verse 3:
Though dark clouds roll and shadows creep,
They will not overtake us;
Our Lord has set the truth in stone,
No evil can unmake us.
That outlaw, grim and mean,
Can’t steal what’s pure and clean;
His fury fades to dusk,
For in our God we trust;
One word will drive him under.

Verse 4:
The Word rides high above the plains,
Its strength will never falter;
The Spirit’s gifts, our guiding reins,
Our course they will not alter.
Let goods and kin depart,
This life is just a part;
They may take what they will,
But God’s truth lingers still,
His kingdom lasts forever!

Songwriter: Explanation of Changes:

1. Western Imagery: Terms like “stronghold,” “shelter,” and “guiding light” bring a rugged, frontier feel. The “ancient outlaw” replaces the “ancient foe,” evoking the image of a bandit riding across the plains. The “star” references a sheriff’s badge, aligning with the cowboy lawman image.
2. Ranch and Plains Vibes: Instead of the “flood of mortal ills,” the new imagery uses “dust and storm,” suggesting the hardships faced on a cattle drive or in a small Western town.
3. Simpler Language, Same Meaning: The language is softened and simplified to suit the straightforward, plainspoken nature of country and western lyrics, while keeping the core theological message intact.
4. Tone of Assurance: The rephrasing aims to carry the same confidence in divine protection, but with more of a cowboy’s grit and resilience.

This adaptation keeps the heart of the original hymn while infusing it with Western themes and a storytelling style that feels right at home in a country setting. Let me know if you want any more adjustments or additional verses!