I'm Back in the Saddle Again
Monday, April 1, 2024
“I’m back in the saddle again.” – Gene Autry
Back in the Saddle Again was the signature song of country music legend Orvon Grover “Gene” Autry. Nicknamed the “Singing Cowboy,” Autry was box office gold throughout the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s.
Autry co-wrote and recorded the song in April 1939 and then sang it again on the big screen in the movies “Rovin’ Tumbleweeds” (released in November 1939) and “Back in the Saddle” (released in March 1941). Autry liked the song so much that he used it as the theme song for his radio show, Gene Autry’s Melody Ranch, which aired from 1940 to 1956; and his TV program, The Gene Autry Show, which ran from 1950 to 1956. He also used it as the title of his autobiography, which he wrote in 1976.
The Western Writers of America ranked Back in the Saddle Again as the fifth greatest country song of all-time, and the Recording Industry Association of America named it the 98th best song of the 20th century. It was also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1997.
Just picture Gene Autry astride his horse Champion, strumming a guitar as he sang these words…
I'm back in the saddle again
Out where a friend is a friend
Where the longhorn cattle feed
On the lowly jimson weed
I’m back in the saddle again
Well, I am not writing this devotional while riding a horse… nor am I chomping down on any jimson weed. However, I do want you to know that – since our new laptop is now up and running – I’m “back in the saddle again.” Praise the Lord!
More importantly, I want to leave you with a thought from God’s Word. When life knocks you for a loop, get back on the proverbial horse that threw you. That’s what Peter did when, after denying Christ three times, he was forgiven and fully restored on the shores of the Sea of Tiberias by Jesus Himself. Strengthened by the Holy Spirit, Peter then went out on Pentecost and preached a powerful message… and 3,000 people were saved!
“Jesus asked a third time, ‘Simon son of John, do you love Me?’ Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ ‘Lord, You know all things,’ he replied. ‘You know I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep.’” John 21:17 (BSB)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
