Sierra Ferrell has shared a moving cover of Mindy Smith's 2004 classic, ’Come to Jesus’, as part of Newport Folk's new Sea to Shining Sea Project. In the clip, Ferrell reflects on why Smith's faith-filled ode is the song that springs to mind when she thinks of America.

As well as singing a stunning a cappella version of ‘Come to Jesus’, Ferrell underlines how much the song means to her, “There's been many times I've cried to that song”.

The ‘Dollar Bill Bar’ singer-songwriter touchingly goes on, “We're just going through a lot as humanity as just being alive. We witness a lot of evil, but there's also so much good going on that we need to look at and realise that that's happening too”.

Ferrell goes on, “And the song is just talking about how any time you feel lost and alone, you're not alone. Anytime you think you're alone, you're not alone. That song is so beautiful and how does it go...“Worry not my daughter / Worry not my son / Child, when life don't seem worth living / Come to Jesus, let him hold you in his arms”.

Newport Folk Festival's Sea to Shining Sea Project strives to explore what music means to America in honour of the US’ 250th birthday, featuring Ferrell, Joy Oladokun, Tyler Childers, American Aquarium, The Black Crowes, Jack Coyne and more.

Unfortunately, in the comments of Ferrell's new video, she appears to have caught some flak for her cover, presumably because of the religious nature of the song's message.

Ferrell takes the high road, sharing, “People fighting in the comments section is a sad sight. I wish you peace. Go do something meaningful today. God loves you. Christ is king”.

A number of fellow artists, by contrast, have expressed how much they love Smith's track and Ferrell's cover, with Brit Taylor gushing, “Omg yes. One of my favorite songs by one of my favorite writers!!! [Mindy Smith] !! [Sierra Ferrell] please cut your own version of this song so I can become obsessed with it all over again”.

Morgane Stapleton, meanwhile, cites the song as, “One of my top 10”. Heartwarmingly, Mindy Smith has also responded, praising Ferrell's take on her song, “Oh my heart, [Sierra Ferrell] your voice is heaven sent...This makes me so happy. Beautiful”.

Ferrell is currently in the middle of her 2026 Heavy Petal Tour, with dates lined up in California, Wyoming, Colorado, Arkansas, Alabama, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and more.