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Song Stories - "Everything's Gonna Be Alright"

Behind every good song, there is a story. From the inspiration that sparked the idea in the mind of the writer to the blessing it brought to the heart of the listener, I love to hear the story behind a song.

On our very first project, almost seventeen years ago, we recorded a song entitled “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright.” We still get requests for it! And I really never get tired of it, because of the stories behind the song. I’ve seen it touch so many people through the years.

Donna O’Neal was expecting her first child. Un-willing to accept the responsibilities that come with a family, her husband left her and their unborn baby without explanation. Donna was devastated. Facing the challenge finding a job to support herself and the coming baby, and bringing up a child on her own she sank into depression.

At our lowest moments Satan whispers his suggestions of false solutions. Donna was being tempted to take her own life. I’m so glad that Donna knew the Lord, and she apparently cultivated her relationship with Him daily. During her darkest hour, while entertaining the idea of suicide, she reached for her Bible which lay on a nearby
nightstand. It fell open and she read these words, “Today, I place before you life and death, choose life...” ( it still brings tears to my eyes to relate this story, even as I type) Wow! Can God speak? YES HE CAN, and HE DOES!!!

Donna chose life, and in the midst of her trying situation, she wrote the song that has touched many with the courage to face another day.

Lyrics:
Sometimes I feel like a ship on a raging sea,
Tossing to and fro with the storms of life.
I feel like a drifter. There’s no peace for me,
But the Jesus whispers, “Everything is alright”
And everything’s gonna be alright. The night’s almost over.
The sun is gonna shine again when the morning comes.
Everything’s gonna be alright. Victory is on the way.
I’m gonna lean on Jesus, and everything’s gonna be alright.
Sometimes you may feel like there is no hope.
The burdens you carry are too hard to bear.
Just cast all your cares on Him. He cares for you.
Lean on Jesus, and everything’s gonna be alright.
Everything’s gonna be alright. The night’s almost over.
The sun is gonna shine again when the morning comes.
Everything’s gonna be alright. Victory is on the way.
I’m gonna lean on Jesus, and everything’s gonna be alright.

Everything is alright for Donna. She had a sweet baby girl. God blessed her with a Christian husband and now they have a son. They work together in the ministry of music at their church in King, NC. She also established a Pro-Life ministry, “Hey I’m Alive”

My grandmother, Irene Gilliam (Mamaw), had many health problems during the last ten years of her life on this earth. In and out of hospitals, living with an oxygen tank at her side 24/7, with multiple medications, and on a fixed income, she faced a new battle each day.

“Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” was one of her favorite songs. She’d always ask us to sing it for her. The last time my mom spoke with her, Mamaw’s condition had worsened and she sounded weak and tired. Mom said, “Do you remember the song you love, ‘Everything’s Gonna Be Alright’?”

Mamaw’s voice suddenly brightened as she said, “Oh yes, everything’s gonna be alright.” A few hours later, she moved to Heaven where everything truly is alright!

In Michigan, a couple came to us with their story. Their twin, teenaged daughters had attempted suicide. One daughter survived; they lost the other. I can’t imagine a harder thing to endure. These heartbroken parents came to us after the concert, and thanked us for “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright.” They had literally worn out our
cassette listening to the song over and over. God had used the song to help them through the most difficult time in their lives.

I don’t know the number of souls who have been blessed by the song, but we’ve seen tears streaming during concerts almost every time the song was sung. As Christians, we know God’s promises, we believe His Word, but in this world of trouble we need to be reminded often that “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright!”

Jennifer McCallister
The Bradleys
http://www.thebradleys.net

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