I, non-religious folkie purist snob that I am, sing a number of hymns,gospel songs, etc., as naturally as I sing old murder ballads. I don't ask myself whether they are appropriate, because they are just such well-designed examples of what 'folk' do, feel, sing, share and pass down from generation to generation, whether they know the author and have a book or not.

I have a special affinity for "metaphysical metaphor" songs, like "Life is Like a Mountain Railroad" or "Royal Telephone" ("you can talk to Jesus almost anytime")...and I love how the old gospel songs often go so well on the autoharp...