If Your Hair's Too Long There's Sin In Your Heart

Subject: If Your Hair's Too Long...
From: GUEST,jd
Date: 12 Aug 25 - 03:44 PM

I recently discovered Billy Pilgrim's song 'If Your Hair's Too Long There's Sin In Your Heart', and know it as Daniel Prayed, from the Red Clay Ramblers, way back when I was also in an old time band. In searching for the song, I found that Billy's version has been around since the 50's? The early 60's? But in a humorless version, from religious singers.
My question - at what point did 'Daniel' branch off to become 'hair's too long'?
And I'm guessing it was Billy's version, or another's, with their hair too long, that added a verse about the Dead. Brilliant!
Thanks

Subject: RE: If Your Hair's Too Long There's Sin In Your Heart
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Aug 25 - 04:03 PM

Has no one heard Billy's version? I believe it was written by someone else, with the author, or Billy, adding the Grateful Dead line?
And maybe it has no connection to Daniel Prayed, other than the similar sound?
OK, after a few weeks of no response, I went to the higher power. No, not JESUS, but Google AI! I've only been using it for a week and I can't believe the smart, logical answers it gives. I've been asking odd questions, like above, to see what it knows. And so far, I'm lovin' it!
...

The primary similarity between "Daniel Prayed" and "If Your Hair's Too Long" is that they are both American folk or bluegrass gospel songs that draw upon biblical or religious themes to deliver a moral message.

While they come from different eras and have different tones, they share several core characteristics:

Biblical/Gospel Foundation: Both songs are rooted in the tradition of Christian gospel music. "Daniel Prayed" is a straightforward retelling of the Old Testament story of Daniel in the lions' den, highlighting themes of faith and perseverance. "If Your Hair's Too Long" is a satirical take on a specific, legalistic interpretation of Christian doctrine, using the biblical story of the rich young ruler to mock a rigid moral code.

Moralistic Messaging: Both songs convey a moral or spiritual message. "Daniel Prayed" is a serious and uplifting hymn that encourages listeners to be faithful in their prayers and trust in God's deliverance. "If Your Hair's Too Long" uses humor and exaggeration to criticize a superficial understanding of faith, suggesting that judging others by their appearance (like hair length) is a distraction from a true spiritual life.

Genre and Style: Both songs are firmly in the vein of traditional American folk and bluegrass music. They are often performed with acoustic instruments like guitar, banjo, and fiddle, and feature vocal harmonies typical of gospel quartets or old-time music.

In essence, they are two sides of the same coin: one is a devout and serious expression of faith, while the other is a tongue-in-cheek critique of a certain kind of religious rigidity, but both songs speak to the deep and often complex relationship between faith, tradition, and personal conduct within American culture.

So, there - question answered. Enough to my satisfaction. I'd have to hear from the writer of 'hair' go get a more informed answer, but I'm fine with what AI gave me.

Subject: RE: If Your Hair's Too Long There's Sin In Your Heart
From: cnd
Date: 25 Aug 25 - 10:39 PM

Sorry JD, missed your post the first time around. To state the obvious (and I don't mean to nitpick), the tune is the same, though obviously the words are quite different!

It seems as if the original version was written by Ronn D. Glosson (IPI #00143469469) -- find it on BMI under ISWC T9040308029 -- and controlled by AL JOLSON BLACK AND WHITE MUSIC and SOUNDING BOARD SONGS. A bio of Ronald "Ronn" Dale Glosson (1949-2024) can be found here.

Glosson is credited as the songwriter of the version performed by "The Glory Bugles" (Nan Gurley, Wayne Gurley, Bonnie Keen, and Steve Pippin), a satirical gospel quartet active from the 1980s through the 2000s. A 2008 skit rendition can be heard here, with a similar performance on Spotify from their 2022 album, "Get Right or Get Left" (order) and is transcribed below.

The song is most closely associated with the Bugles, and with Ray Stevens, who performed the song in a trio version (with identical lyrics to the first line and chorus) in 1989, which can be seen here (San Francisco Chronicle, February 26th, 1989, Datebook, p. 45), but was apparently floating around Nashville as a popular demo tape in the sixties (Bill Anderson, I Hope You're Living As High On the Hog as the Pig You Turned Out To Be, p. 55). I'd adjust the date a touch just based on Glosson's birthyear, so let's settle on late 1960s/early 1970s.

I assume either Stevens or The Glory Bugles are the "humorless version, from religious singers" you referenced in your initial post? Maybe not as funny as Billy's, but knowing it's ironic may help, at least. Billy has an added stanza which he apparently varies from show to show that I'll add separately.



IF YOUR HAIR'S TOO LONG
(Ronn D. Glosson)

A rich young ruler came one day to ask about the narrow way
But his hair was long, and he couldn't be saved
The preacher looked at him through tears and said "Your problem's on your ears"
If your hair's too long, there's sin in your heart

CHORUS
If your hair's on your ears, there's sin in your heart
Get it cut today, and make a new start
You'll live a life of fear and dread with a tangled mess upon your head
If your hair's too long, there's sin in your heart

My friend if you would enter there, you'll not go there with your long hair
If your hair's too long, ther?'s sin in your heart
You'll be left behind with those I fear who wear their hair upon their ears
If your hair's too long, there's sin in your heart

CHORUS

Subject: RE: If Your Hair's Too Long There's Sin In Your Heart
From: cnd
Date: 25 Aug 25 - 10:43 PM

Billy Strings closes his version with the following stanza:

If your hair's on your ears, there's sin in your heart
Get it cut today, and make a new start
You'll live a life of fear and dread if you listen to the Grateful Dead
If your hair's too long, there's sin in your heart


Apparently in one show, the Grateful Dead line was replaced with "You'll live a life of fear and manic / if you’re listening to Widespread Panic" (Reddit), though the GD version seems to be the main.

Subject: RE: If Your Hair's Too Long There's Sin In Your Heart
From: cnd
Date: 25 Aug 25 - 10:45 PM

Also, just now fully reading your recent response, and man, I have to chuckle at AI thinking either Ray Stevens or The Gospel Bugles are indicative of "a devout and serious expression of faith"   :-D