John Francis O’Mara is a soft-spoken, unassuming singer-songwriter who humbly invites listeners to experience his new record, Forbidden Hymns, and hopes you’ll spread the word. Beyond his music, he is also an ordained Episcopalian priest and Liberation Theology scholar who is currently working toward his Doctorate in Theology with a Social Justice focus from Howard University School of Divinity.
A hymn – according to no less an authority than Merriam-Webster – is a song of praise or joy. A hymn is often associated with religion because religious songs are often offered in praise of God or some other deity. So are John Francis O’Mara’s Forbidden Hymns religious or gospel in nature?
“Well,” John Francis says slowly. “In listening to the record I like to let the people listening to the record to tell me whether they think the songs are gospel in nature. There are at least two songs that are gospel in nature. But they are not religious.”
John Francis gives as an example the song “Mighty Power.”
“It starts with a very church-sounding organ,” he says. “One you might hear in a gospel band. Thematically it is about knowing or declaring there IS a power from which we can overcome things like addiction or societal ills like racism or injustice.”
So while the themes of Forbidden Hymns are not religious in nature, they are serious and in many cases spiritual as well.
“Jesus Walked On Water” is another example. It is a song with many layers, one that John Francis sings to the many people he has known in his life, asking, “Do you still see me?” It is a very personal song in that regard.
“In that song, I’m not asking people if they still believe in Jesus,” he told me. “I’m asking if they still believe in me.”
“Jesus Walked On Water” then is a song about self-examination, about taking a look at our faults and recognizing we may not be yet the person we hoped we would be, about striving to still be that person, and about asking our friends and loved ones whether they still believe we are or can be that person. The question he asks is “Do you still believe in me? All this time it’s taken me? All this time been breakin’ me?”
John Carter Cash co-wrote “No One Gets Out Of Here Alive” and joins John Francis on the song, which is a reminder to love one another while there is still time. “The song is not about dying, John Francis explains. “It is about living. It is really a challenge to seize every moment that we have. To recognize how full life is in these moments of passion and closeness with people that we love.”
The song becomes even more poignant when it is explained that it reminded John Carter Cash of the last words his dad, the late, great country singer Johnny Cash, spoke to him. As told in the song, “He said, ‘Son, it’s all over in the blink of an eye… Let us keep the ends out for the tie that binds.’” And indeed, no one gets out of here alive.
John Francis, like Kristofferson, has an educated social awareness and true concern for humanity itself. His songs beg insistently upon our consciousnesses to think, care, and work towards a better life, not only for ourselves but for the whole world.
John Carter Cash
The title of the song “Maria, I Would Dance With You But My Hands Are On Fire” was inspired by a story Maria Muldaur told about an encounter she had with Bob Dylan at the after party following the Newport Folk Festival where he “went electric.”
“I flat out lifted that line,” John Francis says of the title. “Maria retells that in the hotel after party people were dancing, music was playing. Dylan was off to the side brooding and she said, ‘Come on, Bobby! Dance with me.’
“And Dylan shot back, ‘Maria, I would dance with you but my hands are on fire.’
“That song is about a sense of purpose and a sense of calling,” John Francis continued. “It is prioritized – willingly or unwillingly – over and above any romantic relationship or any other self-interest. It is about an innate sense of calling.”
John Francis O’Mara has that innate sense of calling. His songs on Forbidden Hymn and other albums are testaments to his deep concern and interest in social justice. In his press release he proclaims, “But, why ‘Forbidden’? Look around! The social and political landscape has taken a very dark and ugly turn. Stateside, the innocent and most vulnerable are being kidnapped and denied basic civil and human rights, while literal genocide and starving children’s screams are live-streamed in real time… The soul of America, and the very soul of humanity, is at stake. Many among us are being made to fear raising our voices.”
And yet, despite the ugliness and disappointment in the times, he believes in hope. “I really do believe in the power of art and music to change things for the better. And I have hope. It’s hope for creating a better world together.’
Forbidden Hymns was produced by Ken Coomer (GRAMMY-winning producer, and drummer for Wilco, Uncle Tupelo, Steve Earle). The backing band includes guitarist Kenny Vaughan, multi-instrumentalist Chris Scruggs, John Lancaster on keys, and the late great Dave Roe on bass, with Vinchelle Woods providing backing vocals.
Upcoming tour dates:
10/24/25 – Wayne PA @ Official CD Release Show/Party
- 10/26/25 – Belgrade ME @ Water Dance Farm
- 11/14/25 – Frostburg MD @ Clatter
- 12/04/25 – Richmond VA @ The Camel
- 01/17/26 – Wayne PA @ 118 North
