Lifeline contains many traditional Protestant gospel songs DeMent describes as finding comfort in playing and singing.

In her liner notes, DeMent recounts how her mother sang these songs in times of stress looking straight at the sky, "as if she were talking to someone.

"[1] DeMent's rendition of "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" accompanies the closing credits of the Coen brothers' True Grit (2010).

Thom Jurek of AllMusic writes: "... [DeMent] claims that for her, too, the music contained here became her lifeline through a season of hardship...

"[1] Music critic Robert Christgau wrote "Her heart cherishes Jesus' memory, but her mind, voice, and soul remain her own.