In the rock (and roll) community, Bill Monroe may be best known via one of Elvis Presley's earliest recordings at Sun Records, that of Monroe's 'Blue Moon of Kentucky'. Patsy Cline also made a highly regarded version of this song.
What Would You Give in Exchange for Your Soul
Bill Monroe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Risking your soul, for the things that he gave
Oh if today, God should call you away
What would you give, in exchange for your soul
What would you give, in exchange, what would you give, in exhange
What would you give, in exhange for your soul
Oh if today, God should call you away
Mercy is callin,' you won't you give in
Must the dear saviour, still tenderly plead
This night your soul, it is precious indeed
What would you give, in exchange for your soul
What would you give, in exchange, what would you give, in exhange
What would you give, in exhange for your soul
Oh if today, God should call you away
What would you give, in exchange for your, soul
Bill Monroe & Doc Watson's song, "What Would You Give In Exchange For Your Soul," is a hauntingly beautiful reminder that it is important to prioritize the eternal salvation of our souls over material possessions. The lyrics implore listeners to reflect on their relationship with the Savior and weigh if the temporal worldly things they have accumulated are worth risking their souls for. The song asks its audience what they would be willing to trade for their souls if God were to call them away today. It draws attention to the precious nature of the soul and issues a warning that we should be mindful of what we are sacrificing it for.
The song repeatedly asks the question "What would you give in exchange for your soul?" which serves as a powerful reminder to prioritize spiritual matters. The lyrics also mention the Savior pleading for the listener to turn over their soul, emphasizing the importance of repentance and salvation before it is too late. The use of the word "exchange" implies that there is a cost to obtaining salvation and poses the question of whether one is willing to pay that price, which may include giving up worldly possessions or facing persecution for their beliefs.
This song was originally written in 1925 by J.R. Baxter Jr., and has since been covered by numerous artists, including Doc Watson and Bill Monroe, who popularized the bluegrass rendition. The hymn was one of the first popular religious tunes to openly confront the interplay between faith and commerce, and the value of the soul.
Line by Line Meaning
Brother how far, from the saviour today
Are you distant from our saviour today, my brother?
Risking your soul, for the things that he gave
Are you putting your soul at risk for earthly possessions?
Oh if today, God should call you away
If God were to call you home today,
What would you give, in exchange for your soul
What would you trade for the sake of your soul?
What would you give, in exchange, what would you give, in exhange
What could you offer in return, what could you trade?
What would you give, in exhange for your soul
What could you trade to save your soul?
Mercy is callin,' you won't you give in
Mercy is calling out to you, why won't you surrender?
Must the dear saviour, still tenderly plead
Why does the dear savior still have to plead with you?
This night your soul, it is precious indeed
Your soul, tonight, is incredibly valuable.
What would you give, in exchange for your soul
What could you trade to save your soul?
What would you give, in exchange, what would you give, in exhange
What could you offer in return, what could you trade?
What would you give, in exhange for your soul
What could you trade to save your soul?
Oh if today, God should call you away
If God were to call you home today,
What would you give, in exchange for your, soul
What could you trade to save your soul?
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@danielg.9291
Brother afar from The Savior today
Risking your soul for the things that decay
Oh, if today God should call you away
What would you give in exchange for your soul?
What would you give (in exchange)
What would you give (in exchange)
What would you give in exchange for your soul
Oh, if today God should call you away
What would you give in exchange for your soul?
Mercy is calling you, won't you give heed?
Must the Dear Savior still tenderly plead?
Risk not your soul, it is precious indeed
What would you give in exchange for your soul?
What would you give (in exchange)
What would you give (in exchange)
What would you give in exchange for your soul?
Oh, if today God should call you away
What would you give in exchange for your soul?
More than the silver and gold of this Earth
More than all jewels the spirit is worth
God The Creator has given it birth
What would you give in exchange for your soul?
What would you give (in exchange)
What would you give (in exchange)
What would you give in exchange for your soul?
Oh, if today God should call you away
What would you give in exchange for your soul?
@nomoretapiwa2355
What would you give?
Brother a-far from
The Saviour today,
Risking your soul
For the things that decay,
Oh if today should God
Call it away,
What would you give
In exchange for your soul?
Chorus
What would you give?
What would you give?
What would you give?
In exchange for your soul?
Oh if today should God
Call it away,
What would you give
In exchange for your soul?
Mercy is calling you,
Won't you give heed?
Must the dear Saviour
Still tenderly plead?
Risk not your soul
It's precious indeed;
What would you give
In exchange for your soul?
More than the silver
And gold of the earth,
More than all jewels
Thy spirit is worth!
God, the Creator,
Has given it birth!
What would you give
In exchange for your soul?
If, when you stand
At the bar by and by,
When you are weighed
In the balance on high,
You should be sentenced
Forever to die,
What would you give
In exchange for your soul?
@angelaallen340
Nathan Stanley also recorded this with Dr. Ralph Stanley. Absolutely the best old time gospel . What would anybody give in exchange for their soul???????? Very sobering. Amen and Amen.
@vanessaschlegel6387
My papa used to sing this.😢miss him so much.
@JL-xn3zy
Love this song. Bluegrass perfection.
@MrMusicguyma
Actually this is "pre-bluegrass". Bill sang it with his brother, Charlie in 1936 before he developed bluegrass string band music. They were popular, but Charlie as the older brother and lead singer lorded it over kid brother Bill who got tired of it. He struck on his own determined to be the lead singer in his own band, sing in high keys that suited his voice, and hire expert virtuosic musicians. He succeeded. :)
@beatriceperrier8699
@@MrMusicguyma Thank you for this very interesting historic perspective. Love this moving song that i just discovered thanks to the great Billy Stings and his father .
@hoeelandotorrez7891
Thank you Johnny Cash. There is no better timeless classics then music before the 1940
@thomasanthony6292
I love old time singing
@mikewomeldorff5235
Makes me think of Mountain View Arkansas. Love It
@estahl2216
Gives me the chills.
@user-zq7gi1fh8v
Awsome 💕🙏👍powerful. Good words. Good music