It was about two and a half years ago that I edited some BBC World stock footage to Alison Krauss’ a cappella song “Down to the River” (found on the “O Brother Where Art Thou” soundtrack). I created the video to be used just once in a church service. I got a lot of positive feedback from it so I decided to put it on YouTube.
As of today, the video has over 1 million views and well over 1600 comments. It is a testament to the power of word of mouth & social networking as I did absolutely nothing to promote the video. I just posted it on YouTube and embedded it on my own personal website.
I don’t know what makes people love the video so much – is words in the song, or Krauss’ incredible voice, or the gorgeous footage of water landscapes around the world? I think the combination of all three moves people. There are dozens of comments from people saying they are moved to tears by the video.
Another interesting by product of the video are all the religious debates that go on in the comments section of the video. Athiests and agnostics and Christians duke it out with words. Comments such as these pop up over and over:
“pretty cool. thank u 4 posting. Look at this…can you believe there is not a higher power of creation???? Do you think we crawled up from the mud?”
“God is very slowly becoming an outdated concept. In my theorization, God is simply an anthropomorphic rendition of the laws of nature themselves. I agree with Dawkins when he classed religious beliefs as a beneficial evolutionary trait, because they encourage optimism and thus improve chances of survival in those who posess them. And if anyone wants to call me closed minded, I was raised a Catholic.”
“He’s true name isn’t G-d, by the way.”
“Guys, debates on religion are pointless. Everyone just disagrees with each other and tries to prove their opposers to be wrong.
Believe what you want to believe, and grant the same courtesy to others!
Besides, the video is so gorgeous! 
If you aren’t religious, what does it matter? The song is too pretty for you to dislike it! I’m non-religious and I love the song. It’s soothing.”
“your right, but as a Christian your supposed to witness, but i wouldnt do it on youtube lol, do it person to person, its much easier and is all in all a better way to go.”
I find it quite bizarre that people take the time to try and have serious debates in such a petty forum full of anonymous readers. Nonetheless, I’m glad that the video has been seen by so many people and stirred their emotions (both good & bad).
I loved it.