B-side "Next to Jimmy" Genre Country Label Capitol | Released July 1960 Length 2:18 Writer(s) Bob Ferguson | |
"Wings of a Dove' is a country song written by Bob Ferguson in 1958. "Wings of a Dove" was most popular when it was recorded by Ferlin Husky in 1960. The Ferlin Husky recording went to number one on the country charts for 10 nonconsecutive weeks. It was Ferlin Husky's third and final number one on the country chart, spending nine months on the chart. "Wings of a Dove" was successful on the pop charts, as well, peaking at number 12 on the Hot 100. In 1987, Broadcast Music Incorporated awarded Ferguson with the "million air" plays for the "Wings of a Dove". The song alludes to several passages from the Christian Bible about doves sent by the Lord, including a verse about God sending Noah a dove during the flood in Genesis 8:6-12, and another passage about a dove in Matthew 3:16 where "After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him."
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Covers
The song has also been covered by many artists, including Bonnie Guitar, The Jordanaires, George Jones, Hal Ketchum, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Ricky Skaggs and the Whites, The Wilders, Jim Witter, and Madness, among others. Nanci Griffith and Lucinda Williams recorded a duet version of the song for Other Voices, Too (A Trip Back to Bountiful). Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, and Loretta Lynn covered the song on their 1993 album Honky Tonk Angels.
Film
Robert Duvall sang the tune in the 1983 movie Tender Mercies. The movie's soundtrack included a version sung by Duval and Gail Youngs. A version of the song by Point of Grace appeared on the 2002 soundtrack of the movie Joshua.