Here are links to performance videos of mine from YouTube that are important to me, including a complete, recorded in the studio presentation of my program, “Songs from the Back of the Church”.

Thanks for watching.

Enjoy!

Songs from the Back of the Church
performed by
Hugh Moffatt

Songs From the Back of the Church is a group of songs about God and Christianity from the point of view of people on the fringes of Christian society. The one-hour program consists of songs written or collected by Hugh during two decades of writing, singing, and traveling throughout the US and around the world.

Humorous or serious, tongue-in-cheek or pointed, song by song the program builds a robust portrait of the richness and variety of off-the-map Christianity.

NOTE - You will find the complete lyrics and writing credits for the songs under “Lyrics” in the heading of this page.

CD - There is a link below to purchase the CD (not a video) of this program.

Produced by Biff Watson at Biff Bangs Studio on October 19, 2009.

Some comments on Songs from the Back of the Church:

“Hugh Moffatt’s music is authentic preaching---prophetic, grace-filled, and should be heeded by all of us who claim to be followers of the Way.” -Will Campbell (author, speaker and renegade Baptist preacher)

“Hugh Moffatt sings gritty, down-on-the-ground songs from the back of the church. People of faith will do well to hear this voice from the margins of church life. His is a voice we miss in most places of worship.” -Tex Sample (preacher, author, lecturer, and Professor Emeritus at the Saint Paul School of Theology)

“Hugh Moffatt is one of the best lay theologians I know.” -Rev. Dr. William D. Peterson, (Presbyterian Church USA)

“Hugh Moffatt not only expresses the sentiments of those who stand in the alley behind the church or file into the back pew, but holds up a mirror into our own souls. As we hear these quiet musings and sometimes shoutings in Songs from the Back of the Church, we move beyond theology to a place of faith that is deep, honest, and humbling. Perfectly fitting music and voice make this collection a true gift to the listener.” -Gail Stearns ()

"What a rainbow of characters and theologies! That was my first thought on hearing Hugh Moffatt's "Songs From the Back of the Church." The belief (and disbelief) about God they articulate is inevitably profound. Inevitable, because they come from the fringe of human community, and that's where truth hangs out a lot. Profound, because the songs are simultaneously comforting and devastating. Each one is illuminating, prophetic, but above all, true. I gotta feelin' Jesus is pleased." -Lee Domann (troubadour, songwriter, and United Methodist minister)

Songs from the Back of the Church: CD

$16.00

I collected these songs during two decades of writing, singing and traveling. They represent views of God and Christianity from people on the fringe of society---a far cry from ministers or theologians---people rarely found in a church at all unless receiving charity. We usually think of them as those we need to teach rather than those we need to learn from, but they have something important to say to the rest of us. Though these are fictional characters, I’ve been around real people like them, and their songs ring true to me.

Hugh Moffatt

Hugh Moffatt not only expresses the sentiments of those who stand in the alley behind the church or file into the back pew, but holds up a mirror into our own souls. As we hear these quiet musings and sometimes shoutings in Songs from the Back of the Church, we move beyond theology to a place of faith that is deep, honest, and humbling. Perfectly fitting music and voice make this collection a true gift to the listener. -Gail J. Stearns, Director, The Common Ministry at Washington State University

Recorded before a live audience at Palouse River Studio, Palouse, WA Produced by Paul Ely Smith and Hugh Moffatt Engineered, mixed, and mastered by Paul Ely Smith Guitar and vocals by Hugh Moffatt Additional supporting vocals by Paul Ely Smith and Katy Moffatt Recording assistance by Greyson Moffatt Studio life support provided by Donna ??, Judy Ferkel, and Mary Vaughan Deep thanks to my studio audience for your active, caring presence during the recording.

Art design by Jill Cathey Photography by Wyatt McSpadden

Complete lyrics from SONGS FROM THE BACK OF THE CHURCH are available at http://www.hughmoffatt.com/music.html

SOHL Recordings SOHL CD0001

Washed in the Water
by
The GoldBloods

The GoldBloods are John Peppard and Hugh Moffatt with assistance from Lizann Peppard. John and Hugh have written together for many years. This is their first performance collaboration.

"Washed in the Water" is intended to express one small path towards healing in a world that sorely needs it.

Remembering
written by
Hugh Moffatt and John Peppard

This is a one of the song performances by Hugh for FOLK IN HEAVEN in Pieterlen, Switzerland. Thanks very much to Petros Protopapas, Monika Braendli, and Werner Hoffman for the beautiful video production.