Ricky Skaggs - Rank Stranger Lyrics

Rank Stranger Video

Rank Stranger Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration

Rank Stranger by Ricky Skaggs is a classic bluegrass song that tells a story of a man returning to his home in the mountains, only to find that everyone he once knew and loved had become strangers to him. The song's lyrics and melody capture the sense of loneliness and isolation that can come from feeling disconnected from one's roots and community.

We'll also examine some of the Bible verses that the song references and offer practical applications for how we can live out the song's themes in our own lives.

The Meaning of Rank Stranger

At its core, Rank Stranger is a song about the pain of disconnection. The narrator returns to his home after many years away, hoping to reconnect with old friends and loved ones. Instead, he finds that everyone he once knew has moved on, and he is now a stranger in his own hometown.

The song's lyrics paint a vivid picture of the narrator's sense of alienation. He looks for his friends, but cannot find them. He feels lost and alone in a place that was once familiar and comforting. The line "No mother nor dad, not a friend could I see" captures the depth of his isolation.

Despite the sadness and melancholy of the song, there is also a sense of hope. The narrator is comforted by the idea that he will one day be reunited with his loved ones in heaven, where "no one will be a stranger to me." This hope serves as a reminder that even in our darkest moments, we can find comfort and solace in our faith.

The Inspiration and Story Behind Rank Stranger

The origins of Rank Stranger are somewhat unclear, but the song is believed to have been written by Albert E. Brumley, a prolific gospel songwriter who also wrote classics like I'll Fly Away and Turn Your Radio On. Brumley was born in Oklahoma in 1905 and grew up in a musical family. He began writing songs as a teenager and went on to become one of the most influential gospel songwriters of the 20th century.

Rank Stranger was first recorded by the Stanley Brothers in 1955 and has since become a bluegrass standard, covered by countless artists over the years. While we don't know the exact inspiration behind the song, it's likely that Brumley drew on his own experiences of homesickness and longing for his roots.

One of the most interesting things about Rank Stranger is that it manages to be both deeply personal and universally relatable. While the specifics of the narrator's story may be unique to him, the underlying emotions of loss and disconnection are something that many of us have experienced at one time or another.

Bible Verses Referenced in Rank Stranger

One of the things that sets Rank Stranger apart from many other bluegrass songs is its overtly Christian themes. The idea of being a stranger in a foreign land is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, and the song draws on this imagery to convey a sense of spiritual dislocation.

One of the most famous verses on this theme is Hebrews 11:13, which says, "All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth." This verse speaks to the idea that as Christians, we are not really at home in this world; our true home is in heaven.

Another relevant verse is 1 Peter 2:11, which says, "Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul." This verse reminds us that as Christians, we are called to live differently than the world around us. We are called to be strangers in the sense that we do not conform to the patterns of this world, but instead live according to the principles of God's kingdom.

Practical Applications for Christian Living

So what can we learn from Rank Stranger, and how can we apply its themes to our own lives as Christians? Here are a few ideas:

1. Remember that this world is not our home. As the writer of Hebrews reminds us, we are just passing through this world on our way to our true home in heaven. This can be a comforting thought, especially in times when we feel disconnected or out of place.

2. Look for opportunities to connect with others. While the narrator of Rank Stranger was unable to find anyone he knew in his hometown, we can take steps to build and maintain connections with others. This might mean getting involved in a church community, volunteering in your local area, or simply reaching out to friends and family members you haven't spoken to in a while.

3. Embrace your identity as a stranger in this world. As Christians, we are called to be set apart from the world around us. This can be challenging at times, but it's also an opportunity to live out our faith in a powerful way.

4. Hold onto hope. Even in the midst of difficult and lonely times, we can hold onto the hope of our ultimate reunion with God and with those who have gone before us. This hope can sustain us through even the darkest of times.

Conclusion

Rank Stranger is a timeless and hauntingly beautiful song that speaks to the universal human experience of longing for connection and belonging. As Christians, we can relate to the narrator's sense of disconnection, but we also have the added comfort of knowing that our true home is in heaven. May we all find comfort and hope in the words of this classic song, and may we be inspired to live out our faith in a way that reflects our identity as strangers in this world.