...about parodies and tongue in cheek songs and real sentiment....

We hi-tech, erudite collectors sometimes don't realize just how seriously some of the gospel or 'sentimental' stuff is/was taken by the 'folk'. Many of the "Gospel Metaphor" songs, though a bit far-fetched, were meant to MEAN something! There were churches which didn't approve of music which was not about religion, so songs were written using symbolism and metaphor just to have more to sing about!..("Life is Like a Mountain Railroad" etc..)

look at this verse to an already sancimonious song:

"Farther Along"

If workin' and prayin' have any reward-
Surely someday, I'll meet with my Lord.
'Cause workin' and prayin' are my greatest thrill-
If anyone makes it, Lord, surely I will.

(collected in Texas by a friend of mine at a little church..he swears they were singing it seriously)

and another friend collected this in a church in western Kansas:

"One , two, three, the Devil's after me
Four, five, six, he's always throwin' sticks
Seven, eight, nine, he missed me every time!
Hallelujah,Hallelujah ..a-men!
Nine, eight, seven, I'm on my way to Heaven
Six, five, four, I'm knocking at the door.
Three, two, one, the battle has been won
Hallelujah, Hallelujah...a-men!"

'Most' of the folks who sing things like "Drop Kick...." are aware that it is being clever and cute, but many are STILL expressing real fervor and sincerity at the same time....it is well to be careful how you present it if you have any doubts about the attitude of your audience,