Don Williams' 12th of 17 No. 1 hits, "Lord, I Hope This Day is Good," stands tall among the Gentle Giant's best songs while summing up the childlike faith that guides the prayers of many country music fans.
Dave Hanner of the Corbin/Hanner Band wrote what's now a country-gospel standard. It first appeared on Williams' 1981 album Especially for You, which also brought us Johnny Cash co-write "Fair-Weather Friends" and Williams and Emmylou Harris' hit duet of Townes Van Zandt's "If I Needed You."
Williams' hits on the Billboard country charts make for ideal cover material for the Nashville stars he inspired. For instance, fellow Country Music Hall of Fame member Alan Jackson, whose own No. 1 hits include a cover of Williams' "It Must Be Love," recorded "Lord, I Hope This Day is Good" in 2020 with fast-rising star Caylee Hammack.
"It's so nice to be able to finally record one of my favorite Don Williams songs with a great message for today and to be able to sing it with another Georgia native with a sweet voice," added Jackson in a press release.
It was another superstar team-up for Hammack, whose debut album If It Wasn't For You (out Aug. 14 via Universal Music Group Nashville) features the recently shared Reba McEntire duet "Redhead" and "Mean Something," co-starring Ashley McBryde and Tenille Townes.
"This song has held a special place in my heart since childhood," shared Hammack in a press release. "And, during the past few months at home, I have found myself frequently visiting songs I grew up on because of the comfort it has brought me, especially this one. It has always been a golden classic in my heart and I believe in many others; and it's message felt much needed today. Alan Jackson was gracious enough to bring his voice and heart to this song and made it feel like chicken noodle soup for the country music soul. I just feel very honored to be able to send our rendition out into the world today!"
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Jackson and Hammack weren't the first to cover one of Williams' greatest hits. "Lord, I Hope This Day is Good" also appears on Anne Murray's 1999 inspirational album, and it closes out Lee Ann Womack's I Hope You Dance.
"Lord, I Hope This Day is Good" Lyrics
Lord, I hope this day is good
I'm feelin' empty and misunderstood
I should be thankful Lord, I know I should
But Lord I hope this day is good
Lord, have you forgotten me
I've been prayin' to you faithfully
I'm not sayin' I'm a righteous man
But Lord I hope you understand
I don't need fortune and I don't need fame
Send down the thunder Lord, send down the rain
But when you're plannin' just how it will be
Plan a good day for me
Lord, I hope this day is good
I'm feelin' empty and misunderstood
I should be thankful Lord, I know I should
But Lord I hope this day is good
You've been the King since the dawn of time
All that I'm askin' is a little less crime
It might be hard for the devil to do
But it would be easy for you
Lord, I hope this day is good
I'm feelin' empty and misunderstood
I should be thankful Lord, I know I should
But Lord I hope this day is good
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