Edited by Azizi Powell
Once upon a time there were no cordless phones, and no cell phones. And if people wanted to talk to anyone else over the telephone they had to call the operator to connect them. The operator's number was called "Central" or "The Mainline".
For more information about the history of telephones, visit http://www.historiayleyenda.com/old_wires/telegraph_and_telephone4.htm
Here's a version of the lyrics and a YouTube sound file of one song from African American Gospel tradition which refers to being "on the Mainline".
Note that this transcription of "Jesus Is On The Mainline" is from the video that is embedded below. This transcription is given without the addition of interjections such as "Oh!" and "Ah!". This transcription is also given without repeated verses. In the Gospel tradition, songs are open ended, meaning other verses using the same pattern can be added or substitute for verses besides the core [first] verse. Also, some verses, particularly the core verse may be and usually are repeated. As is the case with this song, the rendition usually ends with the core verse.
"Jesus Is On The Mainline" - Willie Neal Johnson & The Gospel Keynotes
malacomg, Uploaded on Jan 28, 2011
"Jesus Is On The Mainline" - Willie Neal Johnson & The Gospel Keynotes
JESUS IS ON THE MAINLINE
[unknown composer/s]
Jesus [is] on the mainline.
tell Him what you want.
Jesus [is] on the mainline.
tell Him what you want.
Jesus[is] on the mainline.
tell Him what you want.
Call Him up and tell Him what you want.
The line is never busy.
Tell Him what you want.
The line is never busy
Tell Him what you want.
The line is never busy.
Tell Him what you want.
Call Him up and tell Him what you want.
If you want to live right.
Tell Him what you want.
If you want to live right.
Tell Him what you want.
If you want to live right.
Tell Him what you want.
Call Him up and tell Him what you want.
If you sick and can’t get well.
Tell Him what you want.
If you sick and can’t get well.
Tell Him what you want.
If you sick and can’t get well.
Tell Him what you want.
Call Him up and tell him what you want.
He will come in a hurry.
Tell Him what you want.
He will come in a hurry.
Tell Him what you want.
He will come in a hurry
Tell Him what you want.
Call Him up and tell him what you want.
Jesus [is] on the mainline.
tell Him what you want.
Jesus [is] on the mainline.
tell Him what you want.
Jesus[is] on the mainline.
tell Him what you want.
Call Him up and tell Him what you want.
-snip-
Here's another version of "Jesus Is On The Mainline":
Pastor Jackson Sings "Jesus Is On The Mainline"
Uploaded by ldyjcj2 on Dec 5, 2008
Pastor Jerome Jackson singing before sermon
This church is located at:
2801 State Street in East St. Louis, IL
Lyrics:
Jesus is on the Mainline, tell him what you want.
Jesus is on the Mainline, tell him what you want.
Jesus is on the Mainline, tell him what you want.
You just call Him up and tell Him what you want.
Additional versions:
If you want your sins forgiven...
If you want the Holy Ghost...
If you want more power...
Why don't you call Him, call Him...
If you sick and you can't get well
-snip-
Click
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/06/rev-timothy-flemming-jesus-is-on.html for a rendition of "Jesus Is On The Mainline" by Rev. Timothy Flemming.
For additional versions of "Jesus Is On The Mainline", including the one sung by Bluesman Mississippi Fred McDowell, click http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=50343
A blogger on that site indicates that the earliest documentation of this song was from African Americans in 1937.
-snip-
Here's a version of the lyrics and a YouTube sound file of one song from African American Blues tradition which refer to calling "Central":
Lightnin' Hopkins - "Give Me 209 (Hello Central)"
3006khz, Uploaded on Nov 9, 2010
GIVE ME 209 (HELLO CENTRAL)
[Lightnin' Hopkins]
Hello Central, Please give me 209.
Hello hello Central, will you please give me 209.
Yes, you know I wanna talk to my baby.
Woh Lord and she’s way down the line.
Seem like the buses done stop runnin.
And the trains don’t ‘llow me to ride no mor’.
Seem like the buses done stop runnin.
Train don’t ‘llow me to ride no mor’.
Ticket agent said my ticket played out.
He’ll see that I don’t ride for sure.
I turned around from the telephone.
went walkin straight back home.
Mmmmm-mmm turned around from the telephone.
I went walkin straight back home.
I was praying in my heart.
askin Jesus “Oh Lord now
what wrong have I done.”
-snip-
According to http://www.allmusic.com/album/hello-central-the-best-of-lightnin-hopkins-r692126, Lightnin Hopkins first recorded "Hello Central" was in either 1950 or 1951.
Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lightnin'_Hopkins for information about Lightnin Hopkins.
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RELATED LINK
http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/06/rev-timothy-flemming-jesus-is-on.html Rev. Timothy Flemming - Jesus Is On The Mainline (Video, Lyrics, & Introduction Transcription)
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