SHERLEY: Reflections on my father’s legacy and the anniversary of ‘Greystone Chapel’
January 13 marks a significant milestone in my father’s life and legacy: the day Greystone Chapel, a song that my dad, Glen Sherley, wrote. It was recorded for a self-titled album. To the world, it is a hauntingly beautiful hymn of redemption. To me, it is a testament to the man that my father was. It was the spiritual truth that anchored his life.
Greystone Chapel is not just a song; it is a story of transformation and grace. Through its lyrics, my father painted a picture of a man trapped physically within prison walls but spiritually free through God’s mercy. Dad had an ability to weave moral questions, storytelling, and redemption into his songwriting. Being decades away from that day, he still is deeply inspiring. My dad had a rare gift for using his music to shine light into dark places. He did not shy away from the grittiness of life but embraced it as the soil where redemption grows. That blend of honesty and hope defines his legacy. In many ways, dad shaped my own journey.
To me the words of Greystone Chapel carry a spiritual power that grows deeper with time. Growing up, I heard that song countless times. Its message has only grown more powerful as have gotten older. My father’s lyrics remind me that God’s grace is not confined by circumstance. “Inside the walls of prison, my body may be / But my Lord has set my soul free.” These lines go far beyond Folsom Prison and speak to many who have felt trapped by life’s struggles or failures. They offer hope. It is a reminder that God’s door is “never locked” no matter how far we think we have fallen..
My dad’s musical influence was shaped by Western Swing, Folk and Blues traditions of the time. Growing up in Oklahoma and later California’s “salad bowl,” music became his escape from hard labor in the fields. He was influenced by legends like Leadbelly, Woody Guthrie, the Carter Family, and Jimmie Rodgers. Ironically, while incarcerated in California, he wrote songs under the mentorship of one of swing’s biggest stars, Spade Cooley. From Bob Wills to Hank Williams, Robert Johnson to Lefty Frizzell, these artists reflected the voice of the common man, sharing stories of real struggles and joys. My dad carried that tradition with authenticity that could break through even to the hardest heart.
Dad had a deep love of reading, which shaped his artistry. He was always asking questions, always eager to hear someone else’s story of redemption or struggle. His biggest battles were against injustice, which may have contributed to his passing.
One of the first books he gave me was Mark Twain’s A Pen Warmed Up in Hell. Twain’s sharp wit and unflinching exploration of morality left a deep impression on me, just as it had on him. It set me on my own path of curiosity and reflection, a path I’m still walking today.
As his son, I saw firsthand how complex he was. He was not perfect, but he never gave up on himself or others. That is the most important lesson that he passed down to me. Even in his darkest moments, dad held onto the belief that redemption was possible. He lived that belief through his music.
I often wonder if he’d be proud of the man I have become. I have stumbled along the way but learned from him to keep moving forward. I learned to keep seeking the light in life’s darkest moments, just as he described in his song.
Today, I reflect on my dad and his legacy. That legacy is not just in his music but in the values he instilled in me. He gave voice to the struggles of broken men. He offered hope for their healing. Greystone Chapel is more than just a song, it is a reminder of my father’s enduring faith, his creativity. Dad’s words continue to inspire me.
