“Gospel Ship,” also known as “The Old Gospel Ship,” is a traditional gospel song. The Carter Family recorded an influential version in the 1930s, and A.P. Carter is credited with arranging it from older material.
The song uses the figure of a ship bound for heaven. The singer is ready to board the gospel ship and sail away, leaving the troubles of this world behind; the lyric’s joy comes from the certainty of the destination.
The song passed from the Carter Family into bluegrass gospel, where its lift and confidence suit quartet singing.
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