"Don't You Let Nobody Turn You Around"- The 1920s Gospel Song That Became The 1960s Civil Rights Song "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn You 'Round"

Docjive, Oct 29, 2010

In the early 1980s after a thirty-year hiatus, the Fairfield Four with a powerhouse line-up once again began performing. This period clip features the legendary Rev. Sam McCrary leading his classic "Don't You Let Nobody Turn You 'Round." The original release was on the Bullet label circa 1947/48. B.B. King called McCrary a primary vocal influence. The Fairfield Four left to right: Willie "Preacher" Richardson, Rev. McCrary, Wilson "Lit" Waters, James S. Hill, and Isaac Freeman.

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Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post showcases four YouTube examples of the Gospel song "Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around". The earliest recording of that Gospel song is the Dixie Jubilee Quartet of New York 1924.

This post also presents information about the Gospel song "Don't Let Nobody Turn Your Around" and lists some other 1960s African American civil rights songs that have their roots in African American Gospel songs.

One video example of the civil rights song "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn You 'Round" is also included in this pancocojams post. 

The content of this post is presented for historical, socio-cultural, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.
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Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/06/aint-gonna-let-nobody-turn-me-round.html for the closely related 2012 pancocojams post "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round (Lyrics & Videos)"

Also, click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/01/some-similarities-and-differences.html for the 2026 pancocojams post "Some Similarities And Differences Between The 1960s Civil Rights Song "We Shall Not Be Moved" And The 2020s Affirmation & Rallying Cry "We Will Not Be Silenced". The reasons that are listed in that post for why protestors sang "We Shall Not Be Moved" and the reasons why protestors now chant "We Will Not Be Silenced" also closely fit the reasons why protestors sang "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round" and other civil rights protest songs.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - DONT LET NOBODY TURN YOU AROUND, ALBERTINA WALKER

ADRIAN WILLIAMS, Jan 17, 2009
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SHOWCASE VIDEO #3- The Pilgrim Jubilees - Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around

malacomg, Jan 12, 2011

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #4- Don't Let Nobody Turn You 'Round

Reverend Robert Wilkins - Topic, Jun 12, 2024

Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises

Don't Let Nobody Turn You 'Round · Reverend Robert Wilkins · Not Documented

Worried Blues

℗ 2017 Fat Possum Records

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THE HISTORY OF THE GOSPEL SONG "DON'T YOU LET NOBODY TURN YOU AROUND"
From AI Overview (results of my February 1, 2026 Google search query "When was the Gospel song "Don't You Let Nobody Turn You Round" first recorded?"

"The gospel song "Don't Let Nobody Turn You 'Round" was first recorded by the Dixie Jubilee Quartet of New York in 1924. It is a traditional song with roots in the 19th century, later famously covered by Blind Willie McTell in 1935 and in a popular version by the Fairfield Four in 1947.

Earliest Recording: 1924 by the Dixie Jubilee Quartet.

Other Early Versions: Recorded by bluesman Blind Willie McTell in April 1935.

Other Mentions: Bozie Sturdivant (1941) and Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1946-7) also recorded early versions.

Another song with a similar title, "I Ain't Gonna Let Ol' Satan Turn Me Round," was recorded by Jimmie Davis in 1936." -snip-
The civil rights song "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round" differs from the above mentioned Gospel songs in its title, tempo, and some of its lyrics. Here's one YouTube video of that civil rights song that includes film clips of the 1960s civil rights protest marches:
"Can't Turn Me 'Round" Performed by The Roots (Civil Rights Song) 

djlightbolt, Oct 1, 2010

From "Soundtrk 4 a Revolution"
-snip- "1960s civil rights songs" were also referred to as "freedom songs" and "protest songs".

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ARTICLE EXCERPT- Songs of King's era: 'Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round'
From https://www.psu.edu/news/faculty-and-staff/story/songs-kings-era-aint-gonna-let-nobody-turn-me-round, by Anthony Leach, Penn State University, January 18, 2010

"Martin Luther King Jr. will be remembered across America this month as many celebrate the national holiday honoring his work as civil rights activist, preacher and Nobel laureate. This black Baptist preacher fused the fervor, energy and intensity from the black church experience along with nonviolent protest philosophy to create a human rights movement that has forever changed American culture and society.

The songs of protest sung during that era -- before leaving a church gathering for a sit-in, protest march or other nonviolent civil rights event -- were based on songs performed by choirs and congregations in black churches. In all cases, the melodies remained the same, but the lyrics could be changed to reflect the intent or purpose of the participants.

Some of these songs were:

"Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round"

"I/We Shall Not Be Moved"

"Glory, Glory Hallelujah!"
 
"The Storm is Passing Over"

"This Little Light of Mine"

[...]

The familiar lyrics and melodies, combined with prayer and affirming words of encouragement, provided comfort to people who knew that they were risking their lives and/or time in jail for participating in acts of civil disobedience. There was strength in numbers, but at the core of their activism was also a faith that enabled them to walk, sit, march and rush forward toward freedom.

[...]

The music of the civil rights era from the 1950s and '60s is rich in the message of encouragement and empowerment for singers and listeners to not be afraid while confronting obstacles, whether physical or psychological.

[...]

Leach is the 2009-10 Penn State laureate and an associate professor of music and music education, in Penn State's College of Arts and Architecture"
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The underlined song titles in this article used to be hyperlinks to partial recordings of those songs. Those links are no longer active.

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