''Hymns'' is the fifth solo studio album and first Gospel album by American country music singer-songwriter

Loretta Lynn Loretta Lynn (; April 14, 1932 – October 4, 2022) was an American country music singer and songwriter. In a career spanning six decades, Lynn released multiple gold albums. She had numerous hits such as "You Ain't Woman Enough (To Take My Ma ...

. It was released on November 15, 1965, by Decca Records. The album consists of 12 gospel and inspirational songs that were either popular over the years or were written by Lynn for this album. Well known Christian songs such as "

How Great Thou Art "How Great Thou Art" is a Christian hymn based on an original Swedish hymn entitled "" written in 1885 by Carl Boberg (1859–1940). The English version of the hymn and its title are a loose translation by the English missionary Stuart K. Hine ...

" and " In the Sweet By and By" appear on the album.

Critical reception

In the issue dated November 27, 1965, '' Billboard'' published a review of the album, saying that "Loretta Lynn proves once again that whatever she does, she does to perfection and that's exactly what this glorious program of heartfelt performances contains. "Where No One Stands Alone" and "Peace in the Valley" are two exceptional examples of the feel and tenderness she has for this all too important music. Destined for a high spot on the LP chart.

Commercial performance

The album debuted at No. 16 on the US '' Billboard'' Hot Country Albums chart dated January 22, 1966. It peaked at No. 10 on the chart dated February 12. The album spent a total of 17 weeks on the chart. The album's only single, "Everybody Want to Go to Heaven", was released in November 1965 and did not chart.

Recording

Recording of the album took place on June 3, 7 and 8, 1965, at RCA Victor Studio in Nashville, Tennessee.

Track listing

Personnel

Adapted from the album liner notes and Decca recording session records. *

Mae Boren Axton Mae Boren Axton (September 14, 1914 – April 9, 1997) was known in the music industry as the "Queen Mother of Nashville." She co-wrote the Elvis Presley hit single "Heartbreak Hotel" with Tommy Durden. She worked with Mel Tillis, Reba McEntire, ...

– liner notes *

Harold Bradley Harold Ray Bradley (January 2, 1926 – January 31, 2019) was an American guitarist and entrepreneur, who played on many country, rock and pop recordings and produced numerous TV variety shows and movie soundtracks. Having started as a session ...

– guitar * Owen Bradley – producer *

Floyd Cramer Floyd Cramer (October 27, 1933 – December 31, 1997) was an American pianist who became famous for his use of melodic "half step" attacks. He was inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His signatu ...

– piano *

Buddy Harman Murrey Mizell "Buddy" Harman, Jr. (December 23, 1928 – August 21, 2008) was an American country music session musician. Career Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Harman played drums on over 18,000 sessions for artists such as Elvis Presley, Jerry ...

– drums *Don Helms – steel guitar * Junior Huskey – bass *Loretta Lynn – lead vocals *

Grady Martin Thomas Grady Martin (January 17, 1929 – December 3, 2001) was an American session guitarist in country music and rockabilly. A member of The Nashville A-Team, he played guitar on hits such as Marty Robbins' " El Paso", Loretta Lynn's " Co ...

– guitar *

Wayne Moss Wayne Moss (born February 9, 1938 in Charleston, West Virginia, United States) is an American guitar player, bassist, record producer and songwriter best known for his session work in Nashville. Moss was one of the founders of Area Code 615 and Bar ...

– guitar

Charts

References

{{Authority control Loretta Lynn albums 1965 albums Albums produced by Owen Bradley Decca Records albums Gospel albums by American artists King Records (United States) albums