I’ve wandered so aimless, life filled with sin
I wouldn’t let my dear Savior in
Then Jesus came like a stranger in the night
Praise the Lord, I saw the light (Williams)

I saw the light, I saw the light
No more darkness, no more night
Now I’m so happy, no sorrow in sight
Praise the Lord, I saw the light (Williams)

I’ve walked in darkness, clouds covered me
I had no idea where the way out could be
Then came the sunrise and rolled back the night
Praise the Lord, I saw the light (Cash)

Just like a blind man I wandered alone
Worries and fear I claimed for my own
Then like a blind man who God gave back his sight
Praise the Lord, I saw the light (Williams)

When death takes me down and I breath here no more
My anthem will sound on that eternal shore
When I join with the angels in heaven on high
Singing “Praise the Lord, I saw the light” (Crowder)

Written by Hank Williams Sr. ©1948 Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music (BMI) / Additional verse by Johnny Cash / Eschatological reprise by David Crowder / Spoken introduction by Ralph Stanely taken from the album, Live In Japan Ⓟ1971 Rebel Records

Behind the Song:
'Written by Hank Williams Sr. in 1939. For us, this is a really special moment on the record. It is first, a colliding of musical worlds, for we had not attempted bluegrass music before. We have never practiced so hard! Bluegrass necessitates ceaseless 16th notes strung endlessly together. We also did something a tad fanatical to finish this one off. We gave an open invitation to anyone and everyone who happened upon our blogs, documenting our recording process, to join us in the barn behind my house for a little BBQ and some group singing. I quote from the blog now:

Saturday, May 07, 2005 11:34 pm

This is an invitation. We have been thinking of you during this whole recording and although we have truly felt that you were a part of what we have been doing with the webcams and all, there has still been distance. So here's what I propose - Tuesday at precisely 6pm we will be gathering as we always do every evening at 6pm upstairs in the barn for the hoedown. We would like to invite you to join us. In the barn. For the hoedown. In person. You see we need to record some friends of ours having a joyous time singing along with us and we think it would be just perfect with you there. So here is the deal. Come to the parking lot on the corner of xxth and xxxxxxx in Waco Texas. A fellow by the name of Ben will be waiting for you there. You will see Ben. You will see the barn. You will see the Dr. Pepper house. We will be upstairs awaiting your arrival and then we will sing together. We will have a hoedown. Now you can't stay. You will have to leave. You cannot reside with us forever and ever. But for an evening we will have some times for sure! So you are invited to join us Tuesday, May 10th at the barn for the hoedown to record with us for the new record. It will be fun.

It was insane. People drove from Atlanta, Mississippi, Los Angeles, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, and more; it was crazy I tell you! And wow did we sing. At the top of our lungs we did!' - David Crowder