Younger brother Larry tells the story behind the Hinsons signature song: "It was written in 1970, in the downstairs bathroom of a church then called "The Pentecostal Tabernacle." We had been rehearsing songs that Saturday evening and found the necessity to have new material to stage. Ronny disappeared for several minutes, only to return to the church sanctuary brandishing a long fluttering piece of toilet paper. The title of the song was none other than "The Lighthouse." It was first recorded the next year by The Goodmans and then by The Hinsons. Songs of Calvary and Journey Music, (then owned by Rusty Goodman,) co-published the song. Elvis recorded it soon thereafter..." 'The Lighthouse' quickly became a huge hit in southern gospel and remains one of the most recorded songs in the genre. From 1973 till 1980 The Hinsons were the co-hosts of the popular television show The Gospel Singing Jubilee. Although the Hinsons were an extremely popular touring group with excellent record sales, they were considered radical for their concert style, which was far more ministry oriented than most of the more established professional groups. Always innovators, the group recorded several albums in the mid 1970's with an eclectic mix of songs that weren't considered true southern gospel. Songs like 'Shinin' In' and 'Look what He's done for me,' had a decidedly contemporary feel, while others such as 'This Joy is Mine' had an undeniably country sound.
The family disbanded the group in 1988, but Larry Hinson approached their record producer at Calvary Music Group, suggesting a reunion project involving the original four founding Hinson members. They reunited one final time for One More Hallelujah which was completed in the fall of 1992. The album featured the song "Joy Comes In The Morning," and spurred the 13 city One More Hallelujah Tour in 1993. The tour was cut short when lead singer, Kenny Hinson was diagnosed with kidney cancer. He passed away on July 27, 1995 (1995-07-27) at the age of 41.
Kenny possessed what is still considered to be one of the best voices in gospel music. He can also be credited as an originator of 'country gospel,' now known as 'christian country.' Prior to Kenny, most country singers recorded an album of 'hymns' as a matter of course. With the recording of songs like 'Desperation' 'Call Me Gone,' and 'This Joy is Mine,' country gospel was off and running.
Ronny, the eldest of the Hinson brothers, is a renowned songwriter, having written over 10 #1 songs on the southern gospel charts, and over 100 songs that charted in the top 10. He is also a sought after producer, and continues to perform.
Call Me Gone
Hinsons Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause I call it mine
Heaven, yeah, I won't care
And call me crazy
'Cause I'm homesick for it
Yet I have never been there
Call me a stranger
'Cause that's all I am, I know I don't belong
Call me gone
Call me gone, I'll be leavin'
Call me gone, you'll be grievin'
If you're left here without Jesus to call on
Call me gone, no more heartache
Call me gone, and all that it takes
Is for me to hear Him call and then call me gone
You know, I've been called an awful lot of things in my lifetime
And, well, just to be honest with you, smart wasn't often one of them
But thank God I was smart enough one day to call Jesus Christ
The Lord of my life
And I called it quits to a whole lot of sinnin'
Now it's because of that commitment that a lot of people laugh at me
And, well, they call me foolish
Ah, but let 'em go ahead and let 'em laugh
'Cause that don't bother me at all, because even a fool can see
By the shape she's in that this ol' world's just about to fall
But just as long as I let Jesus call the shots
Well, I don't have anything to fear
And when that role is called up yonder
Don't you call on me then, 'cause I ain't gon' be here
You can call me gone, I'll be leavin'
Call me gone, you'll be grievin'
If you're left here without Jesus to call on
And call me gone, no more heartache
Call me gone, and all that it takes
Is for me to hear Him call me and call me gone
Yeah, when Jesus calls for me, just call me gone
Gone
The song "Call Me Gone" by the Hinsons is a gospel song that speaks about the desire to leave the troubles of this world and to be with Jesus in heaven. The lyrics speak of being called a dreamer, crazy, and a stranger because of the longing to be with Jesus, but despite this, the singer knows that he does not belong in this world. The only time the singer wants to be called gone is when Jesus calls him to come home to heaven. The chorus emphasizes the desire to hear Jesus calling and taking him away from the heartache of this world.
The song also touches on the idea that committing oneself to Jesus may result in ridicule and persecution from others. The singer acknowledges that people may call him foolish for his faith, but he is unbothered by their opinions. The singer also acknowledges that this world is falling apart, but as long as he allows Jesus to guide him, there is nothing to fear. The final line of the song "when Jesus calls for me, just call me gone" emphasizes the longing to be with Jesus and confidently awaiting his call to take him home.
Overall, the song is a powerful expression of the hope and faith that believers have in Jesus Christ. It speaks about the desire to leave behind the troubles of this world and to be in the presence of Jesus in heaven.
Line by Line Meaning
Call me a dreamer
Refer to me as someone who dreams
'Cause I call it mine
Because I consider it as mine
Heaven, yeah, I won't care
I won't be concerned about Heaven anymore
And call me crazy
Address me as insane
'Cause I'm homesick for it
Because I yearn for it, even though I have never been to Heaven
Yet I have never been there
Though I long for it, I have never experienced Heaven
Call me a stranger
Consider me as an outsider
'Cause that's all I am, I know I don't belong
Because I don't belong, I am aware I am just a stranger
Call me anything but when He calls me
Use any name you want except for when He summons me
Call me gone
Address me as having departed
Call me gone, I'll be leavin'
Denote me as having started my goodbye
Call me gone, you'll be grievin'
Associate me with you being sad
If you're left here without Jesus to call on
If you are deserted without being able to call upon Jesus
Call me gone, no more heartache
Refer to me as having no more sorrow
And all that it takes
All that is necessary
Is for me to hear Him call and then call me gone
Is for me to listen to Him before uniting with Him
Now it's because of that commitment that a lot of people laugh at me
Numerous individuals ridicule me due to that devotion
And, well, they call me foolish
They name me as senseless
Ah, but let 'em go ahead and let 'em laugh
Regardless, let them go ahead and amuse themselves
'Cause that don't bother me at all, because even a fool can see
Because it doesn't affect me in any way, since even an idiot can notice
By the shape she's in that this ol' world's just about to fall
By her state, it's evident that the world is collapsing
But just as long as I let Jesus call the shots
As long as I allow Jesus to be in charge
Well, I don't have anything to fear
I won't have anything to be scared of
And when that role is called up yonder
And when that list of names is revealed upstairs
Don't you call on me then, 'cause I ain't gon' be here
Don't look for me then, because I won't be present
Yeah, when Jesus calls for me, just call me gone
Yes, when Jesus summons me, just remember me as already left
Gone
Left
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Kenny Hinson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@USHighway66
This was not only the most talented singer to ever grace a gospel stage but he was every bit a gentleman too! I met the group in the 1980's and during intermission I asked Kenny if he would sing "Homesick To Go" and when the second half started he said he had a request to do this song and he sang it beautifully! The Hinsons will forever be my favorite gospel group.
@lorafischer4991
Love my Hinsons Gospel Singers
@lorafischer4991
Absolutely my favorite. Gospel group...🥰👩🦽
@barrettgibson7249
Aman to that kenny is my absolute favorite his voice could make you feel what he was singing lol
@margaretpmccullough3806
LOVED KENNY AND HIS SINGING.!! I WILL ALWAYS LOVE AND MISS HIM.!" HE IS SINGING IN GOD 'S HEAVENLY CHOUR.!! HE WILL ALWAYS BE MY FAVORITE SINGER.!! ❤❤
@bettymckeithen1438
What a beautiful😊
@jvinny7692
I am a huge southern gospel fan, and feel as though at 54 how I could have not know about the Hinson's. Over the last month, I have been listening to them daily, what a wonderful family. Kenny is by far one of the most talented gospel singers I have ever heard. I feel as though I missed out on such a great ambassador to our Father in Heaven. One thing I know, he is now walking the streets of gold. Thank you Kenny and the Hinson family.
@cliffordglennwoods3025
I saw them in concert several times in IN while they were still touring the Midwest. They were all polite and friendly Christian people. I asked them to sing The Lighthouse and Kenny dedicated it to me by name. I have enjoyed listening to their music throughout my 58 years!!!
@MarshallGriffiss
Kenny was a Great Talent. Country music wanted him but he stuck with Gospel. It was a pleasure to know him and the Hinson family
@lforbus
I'm not a religious person per se; but I will have to say that Kenny Hinson is the best singer I have ever heard. Man, I could listen to this guy forever.