Introduction
“In the Garden” is a timeless gospel hymn written in 1912 by C. Austin Miles, a former pharmacist turned music publisher. Its lyrics, centering on an intimate communion with Jesus in a quiet garden, became a staple of early 20th-century evangelical campaigns, notably sung during Billy Sunday’s revivals . Over the decades, countless artists—Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Brad Paisley—have recorded moving covers of this beloved piece .
In 2013, Grammy‑nominated country duo Joey + Rory included “In the Garden” on their gospel album Inspired: Songs of Faith & Family, released via Gaither Music Group. Joey Feek’s tender vocal delivery earned praise for its sincerity: a critic noted she sang the hymn “with equal reverence and a careful attention to the lyrics which reflect her deep‑rooted faith” —a powerful testament to her spiritual grounding.
The song acquired profound personal significance for the Feek family amidst Joey’s battle with cervical cancer. In summer 2015, Rory Feek shared a poignant home video: Joey, seated amid her garden, singing gently to her baby daughter Indiana—an image of solace and resilience “tending to her soul” even as her body weakened . People magazine described the track as “this gospel classic takes on a deeper meaning in Joey + Rory’s home movie”.
Originally gaining national attention as finalists on CMT’s Can You Duet in 2008, Joey + Rory went on to record several albums blending country, bluegrass, and Christian themes . “In the Garden” stands out in their repertoire—not only for its emotional gravity but also for encapsulating Joey’s authentic faith and the duo’s commitment to heartfelt, roots-based music.
In this arrangement, the hymn becomes more than a standard—it becomes a sacred moment of reflection, love, and spiritual connection, set against the backdrop of a couple who measured their legacy not by fame, but by fidelity—to each other, to their family, and to their God.
Video
Lyrics
I come to the garden alone,
While the dew is still on the roses,
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
He speaks, and the sound of His voice
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.
And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.