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Introduction
If there’s one thing that The Oak Ridge Boys excel at, it’s capturing the spirit of traditional gospel and breathing new life into it with their unmistakable harmonies and country flair. Their rendition of Didn’t It Rain is a testament to the group’s deep roots in gospel music and their ability to infuse timeless songs with a freshness that makes you feel every note and every word like it was written just for you.
Originally a traditional gospel tune with African American spiritual origins, Didn’t It Rain has been covered by countless artists over the years. However, The Oak Ridge Boys take it to a whole new level. As you listen, it’s almost as if you’re sitting in an old Southern church, the air thick with the sound of handclaps and the fervor of a congregation that truly believes the rain is about to pour down from the heavens.
What makes this song special in the hands of The Oak Ridge Boys is their unparalleled ability to weave together country and gospel in a way that feels both comforting and electrifying. The moment that iconic bass voice of Richard Sterban kicks in, you can’t help but be swept away. It’s like the musical equivalent of thunder rolling in from a distance, signaling a storm that’s about to break.
The song itself speaks to perseverance, faith, and the beauty of finding shelter amidst the storm. It draws on the biblical story of Noah’s Ark, where the rain symbolizes both destruction and salvation. The Oak Ridge Boys’ rendition doesn’t just remind us of the old tale; it brings it to life, making you feel the urgency, the hope, and the relief when the skies finally clear.
This isn’t just a song; it’s an experience. Listening to it feels like you’re being taken on a journey through a storm, with each vocal layer adding a new element to the soundscape. Joe Bonsall’s tenor voice delivers an urgency that pushes you forward, while Duane Allen’s rich baritone adds depth, and William Lee Golden’s soulful touch ties everything together. By the time the chorus hits, you’re not just hearing the music—you’re feeling it reverberate in your chest, like the echoes of a distant storm.
The Oak Ridge Boys have a way of making every song feel like it’s a conversation between them and you. You can almost imagine them sitting across from you, telling you the story of Didn’t It Rain over a cup of coffee, nodding knowingly as you share in the experience. That’s what makes their music so timeless. It’s not just about the melodies or the harmonies, though those are impeccable; it’s about the heart they pour into every note.
When they sing Didn’t It Rain, you can feel the history, the reverence, and the joy that comes from sharing a song that’s been passed down through generations. It’s not just a gospel song—it’s a celebration of faith, resilience, and the kind of hope that sees you through the darkest storms.
So, the next time you’re caught in a rainstorm, or even just having one of those days where the clouds won’t seem to lift, put on The Oak Ridge Boys’ Didn’t It Rain. Let their harmonies wash over you like a refreshing downpour, and you just might find that the storm isn’t so bad after all. It’s just a reminder that sometimes, a little rain is what it takes to see the world with clearer eyes.
Video
Lyrics
The good Lord went to Noah and
He told him about the flood
He said Noah build me a vessel and
Make it out of gopher wood build it big
Tall and strong so it won’t be torn apart
Old Noah built him a masterpiece and
He called it Noah’s ark
Didn’t it rain children, didn’t
It rain, rain, rain
Forty days and nights, didn’t it rain?
Oh didn’t it rain children
Didn’t it rain, rain, rain
Forty days and nights, didn’t it rain?
He had a moose and a goose and a gander
Alligator and a big hippo
A monkey and an ape, a couple of snakes
A ram and a sheep and a goat
He had a possum and a
‘coon and a black baboon
Ann eagle and a red tailed hawk
A buck and a doe, a turkey and a crow
And a donkey trying to bark
He had leopards, lions and tigers
Bulls and a buffalo
Orang-utans and little bitty things
All lined up in a row
He had a dog and a cat and a gopher rat
And a great big grizzly bear
A mule and a cow, a boar and a sow
He had two of everything in there
Didn’t it rain children, didn’t
It rain, rain, rain
Forty days and nights, didn’t it rain?
Oh didn’t it rain children
Didn’t it rain, rain, rain
Forty days and nights, didn’t it rain?
He had apples, peaches, plums and pears
Grapes and apricots
Bees and beans and turnip greens
He had corn and baby squash
He had a pumpkin and a big watermelon
He had every kind of wheat
And just before he closed that door
He grabbed a handful of mustard seed
Didn’t it rain children, didn’t
It rain, rain, rain
Forty days and nights, didn’t it rain?
Oh didn’t it rain children
Didn’t it rain, rain, rain
Forty days and nights, didn’t it rain?
Didn’t it rain children, didn’t
It rain, rain, rain
Forty days and nights, didn’t it rain?
Oh didn’t it rain children
Didn’t it rain, rain, rain
Forty days and nights, didn’t it rain?
Lord, Lord, forty days and nights
Didn’t it rain?