Song of the Week Bill Gaither Trio Bill, Gloria and Wesley Prichard “Go Ask” Recorded in Jerusalem, Israel
History:
Originally known as the “Gaither Trio” and composed of siblings Bill, Danny and Mary Ann Gaither, they performed at churches and Christian events mostly within the region of the country where they lived. In 1962, Danny Gaither graduated from college and went to Ohio to teach. This move brought about a change in the trio, as Gloria, Bill’s wife, began singing with the trio in place of Danny. At that time, Bill and Gloria were high school teachers. Mary Ann was a college freshman. By 1966, Danny had rejoined the trio after Gloria’s first baby (Benjy) was born.
Over the years, others joined as some departed. Singing lead, the members were: Danny Gaither was with the group from 1956 until 1962, and again 1966 until 1977. Gary McSpadden joined the group in 1977 and stayed until 1988 Michael English joined in 1989 and stayed until 1991. Singing Alto, the members were: Mary Ann Gaither from 1956 until 1964, then 1965 until 1966. Sherry Slattery from 1966 until 1967 Betty Fair from 1967 until 1970 Gloria Gaither was with the group from 1964 until 1991 Bill Gaither sang Baritone from 1956 until 1991
So many good songs came from Bill and Gloria; songs that are classics and songs we hold dear to our hearts. Songs like “Because He Lives,” “He Touched Me,” and so many more
Today, the Bill Gaither Trio did an “encore” performance when the Homecoming Group went to the Holy Land, drafting veteran singer Wesley Prichard to fill in. They did this song that really tells the truth about where we need to find “proof” of God’s existence and of His miracles.
A personal NOTE from the editor,
This song has a special meaning for me. In February, 1991, our youngest son had a massive stroke. The first indications by the doctors was that he was “severely damaged and would never be normal again.” He was paralyzed on one side, affecting both arm and leg. His jaw was even distorted like many stroke victims I’ve witnessed. A host of people went to prayer, and 8 days after he was admitted to UAB Children’s Hospital in Birmingham, AL, the nurse wheeled him out of the hospital and stopped some 25 feet from where I had parked the car to pick him up. She said to him, “Son, do you want to walk to your Daddy or should I wheel you over there? He leaped up out of that wheelchair and ran into my arms and I melted into a puddle. God had healed him! He is very normal today.
Just over a decade later, on December 19, 2001, we had a devastating house fire that demolished most everything we owned. Our kids all got out safely while Marie was at work and I’d gone around the corner for breakfast.
A few days later, I was asked to sing for a church where I now pastor and I chose this song, “Go Ask.” I could hardly contain the emotion when I realized that we were the family with “the child who’s walking now who once was crippled and then somehow his useless legs were made to jump for joy…” and most recently, “the one who’s burned out mind has been restored I think you’ll find the questions not as important as before…” Only it was our home that was “burned out” rather than our minds. I still feel the emotion of that day every time I hear this song. I pray this precious song blesses your socks off; even if only half as much as it does me.
“Go Ask,” written by Bill and Gloria tells us:
“Don’t ask me to explain to you how one could start again Or hardened hearts could soften like a child Don’t ask me how to reason out the mysteries of life Or how to face it’s problems with a smile
Go ask the man who’s found the way through tangled roads back home to stay. When all communications were destroyed Go ask the child who’s walking now who once was crippled and then somehow her useless legs were made to jump for joy Go ask the one who’s burned out mind has been restored I think you’ll find the questions not as important as before Don’t ask me if He’s good or bad I only know the guilt I had is gone And I can’t tell you any more”
History: