1:56
Cry From the Cross, 1971
Written by Ralph Stanley and Larry Sparks
A fierce bluegrass rendering of John 20:24-29, in which the disciple Thomas Didymus refused to believe that Jesus is reborn unless he can actually touch the crucifixion scars. "They pierced me in the side, Thomas, I am the Man / I died on the cross, Thomas, I am the Man." This song has been covered by a variety of artists, including some great live versions by Bob Dylan around 2000. It's easy to see why; Stanley's urgent, nasal vocal and rapid-fire banjo picking make it a short but powerful mountain gospel.