Scott, if this is a senior event, I would keep the songs upbeat. No gloom and doom songs - they really don't need them. When you are close to being dead, you really need something upbeat that you can relate to. Will The Circle Be Unbroken has always been a big hit with the seniors.
Gary
I can’t think of any gospel tune that is gloomy. They are by nature uplifting, but I know what you mean by keeping the songs upbeat for a senior event. Foot-stomping, earth-shaking gospel songs seem to cheer them all including those who can’t relate to the lyrics.
When The Roll is Called Up Yonder - I found this wild funk style version of it. What a singer this young lady is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_beux5CUkcPrecious Lord Take my Hand – though it is not a fast tempo song, many seem to like it very much. In this video, they sing it in 4/4 instead of 3/4.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaF16IlysQc If you are going to watch a portion, start at 4:30. I love how the two singers interacted with each other. I also liked what the blind pianist was doing.