The Symbol of Hymn Singing in Leslie Jordan's How Y'all Doing?

The Symbol of Hymn Singing in How Y'all Doing?

In Leslie Jordan's memoir How Y'all Doing?, hymn singing functions as a concrete symbol of his Southern upbringing, family bond, and evolving relationship with faith and identity. It appears throughout the narrative not just as a nostalgic memory but as a living practice that transforms across the decades—from childhood piano sing‑alongs to a pandemic‑era Instagram sensation and finally to a gospel album with Dolly Parton. This analysis traces the symbol's literal meaning, its recurrence, the shifts in its emotional and spiritual weight, and its connections to key themes and characters.

What Hymn Singing Literally Is

Hymn singing in the Jordan family is a multigenerational tradition. Leslie describes how his family sang hymns "in pews, on riverbanks, in barns, on picnic benches" and while doing everyday chores (ch. 7). The gatherings often happened around a piano or with instruments like guitar and baritone ukulele played by his father Allen and uncle Mack Junior. The repertoire ranged from silly homemade ditties to traditional hymns like "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," "Kumbaya," "Blessed Assurance," and "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho." These songs were not performed formally; they were a natural part of family life, providing comfort, humor, and a sense of belonging.

Where Hymn Singing Recurs in the Memoir

The symbol appears in several key moments:

Childhood family gatherings (Chapter 7): The core ritual that Leslie calls his "deep family tradition."
A drunken college night (Chapter 7): After leaving the church at 17, he and other gay men, all raised in the church, sing hymns on a balcony in Knoxville—a bittersweet revisiting of the practice.
Pandemic Instagram revival (Chapter 7): With encouragement from friends Mike Lotus and Travis Howard, Leslie begins posting hymn videos every Sunday. The response is overwhelming, connecting him to millions who miss church services.
Gospel album and Dolly Parton duet (Chapter 7): The Instagram success leads to recording "Where the Soul of Man Never Dies" with Dolly Parton—a full‑circle moment that honors his roots.
Brief allusions in other chapters: The phrase "in the sweet by‑and‑by" appears in the bride doll story (Chapter 10), and the hymn tradition is implicitly present in Leslie's reflections on his mother's disapproval of his drag performance (Chapter 2), showing how hymn‑singing values shaped family expectations.

How the Meaning Changes Over Time

For young Leslie, hymn singing represents uncomplicated joy and community. It is tied to his father's humor, his grandfather's eccentricity, and the warmth of a large, talkative family. The hymns are a backdrop to love and laughter.

When Leslie leaves the church at seventeen because he cannot reconcile his homosexuality with its teachings, the hymn singing "mostly stopped." The balcony scene reveals a painful transformation: the hymns that once brought innocent joy now become a source of nostalgia and grief. The drunken, tearful night shows that the songs still have a grip, but their meaning is now shadowed by shame and loss.

Decades later, during the pandemic, Leslie revives hymn singing on Instagram. This time the meaning shifts again. He says the decision to sing was not about replacing church but about finding "a resting place from all the chaos." The hymns become a source of comfort for others as well, with comments from atheists, grieving relatives, and isolated worshippers. The symbol expands from personal tradition to communal healing.

Finally, with the gospel album and the duet with Dolly Parton, hymn singing becomes a professional and spiritual affirmation. Leslie proudly declares, "I am a Jordan, and I am a hymn singer." The symbol no longer carries the weight of church rejection; instead it represents a reclaimed identity, separate from organized religion but deeply rooted in faith and family.

Character and Theme Connections

Character connections:

Leslie Jordan himself: Hymn singing is central to his self‑definition. Even after leaving the church, he cannot shed the hymns—they are "in [his] blood." His Instagram revival and album show that he refuses to let the tradition be destroyed by painful associations.
Allen Jordan (father): The father's humor and musical talent are integral to the early hymn‑singing memories. Leslie's love of jokes and storytelling comes from him.
Peggy Jordan (mother): While not directly singing hymns in the text, Peggy's conservative values are part of the church environment that Leslie walks away from. The reconciliation after the Debbie Reynolds call (Chapter 2) parallels his eventual re‑embrace of the hymns on his own terms.
Dolly Parton: As a duet partner, she represents acceptance and the possibility of merging Southern gospel roots with a joyful, authentic life. Leslie wants to "emulate" her—a figure who radiates grace and integrity.

Theme connections:

Identity and Shame: Hymn singing is tied to Leslie's struggle with his sexuality. The church's teaching made him feel shame, yet the hymns themselves remain beloved. The symbol shows how a cultural/religious practice can be separated from the institution that caused pain.
Recovery and Sobriety: The balcony scene, set during heavy drinking, contrasts with the sober, purposeful Instagram sessions. The shift from drunken tears to calm, intentional singing mirrors Leslie's journey in Twelve‑Step recovery (referenced in other chapters).
Family and Community: Hymn singing is the ultimate expression of Jordan family bonds. Even after the family diminishes, the tradition continues through Leslie's Instagram community.
Performance and Authenticity: Leslie's Instagram videos are performed, yet they feel genuine because the hymns are "the very fabric of [his] being." The stage fright he mentions elsewhere (Chapter 11) dissolves when he sings these songs.
Dealing with Loss: The hymn "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" explicitly deals with death and reunion. Leslie's father and grandfather are gone, but the songs keep their memory alive.

Study Questions with Answers

How does Leslie's relationship with hymn singing change after he leaves the church?
Answer: He stops singing hymns for many years, except for one drunken night with other gay men that turns from joy into tears. The loss of the church also means losing the community setting for hymns. Decades later, he revives the practice on Instagram, reclaiming it on his own terms without the church's doctrinal baggage.
What role does the pandemic play in the revival of hymn singing?
Answer: The pandemic forced churches to close, leaving many without Sunday services. Leslie's decision to sing hymns on Instagram was a way to find peace amid chaos, and it filled a void for followers who missed congregational singing. The positive feedback—even from atheists—confirmed that the hymns had a universal comfort power.
In what ways does hymn singing connect Leslie to his father and grandfather?
Answer: His father Allen played instruments and told jokes during hymn sessions, passing down a love of music and humor. His maternal grandfather H.H. Griffin provided comic relief with imaginary strings. The hymns themselves become a memory trigger—singing them makes Leslie feel the presence of these family members, especially when he records the album.
How does the duet with Dolly Parton symbolize Leslie's reconciliation with his hymn‑singing heritage?
Answer: Dolly Parton represents the ideal of a Southern artist who remains authentically religious yet universally loved. By singing "Where the Soul of Man Never Dies" with her, Leslie publicly embraces the hymns without shame. The duet shows that his identity as a "hymn singer" is not incompatible with his life as a gay man—it is a source of pride.

This analysis demonstrates that hymn singing in How Y'all Doing? is far more than a nostalgic motif. It is a dynamic symbol that evolves from family ritual to site of loss, then to digital ministry, and finally to artistic fulfillment. Through it, Leslie Jordan reclaims a piece of his past and shares it with millions, proving that the songs of his childhood can still "move mountains."