African American Church Choirs Marching Into The Church Service With Their Right Hand Raised (videos & comments)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases four YouTube videos that show Black (African American) church choirs marching in to the church service with their right hand raised.

Selected comments from two of these videos' discussion thread are included in this post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to all the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/02/old-school-black-church-choir-march-st.html for a 2014 pancocojams post that features three of these videos and most of these comments. That 2014 pancocojams post includes additional general comments about Black church choir processionals as well as comments about those featured churches and their choirs.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
The four videos that are showcased in this post are all the videos of this custom that I've found on YouTube as of the publishing date for this post.[November 24, 2019]. I think this old custom no longer exists.

For the historical and cultural record, if you know that this custom is still being performed, please share that information.

Also, please share any information that you know about the reasons for this custom and, for the historical and cultural record, please share demographic information (which church choir, when, and where you remember this custom of African American choirs marching in with their right arm raised).

I'm also interested in including in this pancocojams post any other YouTube videos of this custom being performed by church choirs (Black or non-Black) in the United States and elsewhere.

Thanks in advance for sharing this information.

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Notice in all of these videos, the right hand is held up and held still (not waved in time to the rhythm). Also, the raised hand is usually held adjacent to the choir member's right shoulder.

Video #1: St. James Adult Choir - How I Got Over



Marcel West·Uploaded on Jul 26, 2008

St. James Adult Choir singing "How I Got Over" in 1996.

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Video #2: First Church Of Deliverance Choir - Victory Is Mine/In The Name Of Jesus



Fcdchicago, March 10, 2011

First Church sings "Victory Is Mine/In The Name Of Jesus" for the processional at Fred Nelson Jr's Appreciation. Video footage courtesy of Marcus Wadley

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Video #3: First Church of Deliverance "Jesus Lifted Me" (Choir Processional)



fcdtelevision, Published on May 30, 2012

FCD Classics - Gene M. Bells

Possibly written by the founder of First Church of Deliverance, Reverend Clarence H. Cobbs For years the choir would march to songs like this at the beginning of church services.
-snip-
I believe this particular First Church Of Deliverance is located in Chicago, Illinois.

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Video #4: First Church Of Deliverance - Sing Til The Power The Lord Comes Down

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34-iuy1SYmg&lc=Ugy5yeZ46UhMwkYWPzF4AaABAg.8Gc3jHt6mk19IRdRuk5c3t&ab_channel=fcdchicago

fcdchicago, March 7, 2011

First Church Sings "Sing Til The Power The Lord Comes Down" at Ralph H. Goodpasture's appreciation service. Lead by Edward Clark. Video footage courtsey of Marcus Wadley.
-snip-
[January 13, 2021] This video replaces a video that is no longer available. I'm sorry that the video itself cannot be embedded with this new Google blog format.   

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SELECTED COMMENTS ABOUT BLACK CHURCH CHOIR MARCHING IN WITH THEIR RIGHT HAND RAISED
Numbers are added for referencing purposes only
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBuz-zRVGb0 "St. James Adult Choir - How I Got Over" [from the discussion thread for the video given as #1 above]
1. Midnitemill, 2008
"i have question. why did they have there right hand raised while they were marching?"

**
REPLY
2. James Edwards, 2008
"Not sure.....maybe MARCELL77 can be more specific, but its just as the same as when u raise ur hand during the benediction, determining what denomination you come out of........."

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3. gospelbird22, 2008
"In the old days, the custom of raising your right hand while you entered a church or marched in came from Elder Lucy Smith's Pentecostal Church. It was a sign that you had accepted Christ and were saved, as opposed to being a spectator or visitor."

**
REPLY
4. VantisDoroHall, 2008
"Also, at First Church in Chicago, it represented placing your hand in God's hand, in reverence and humility. By the way, First Church and Elder Smith's church historically were two of the first churches of color to broadcast over the radio in Chicago"

**
5. Joantaatlanta, 2009
"Nice Video, why do they march in with their hands up? What does it symbolize?"*

**
REPLY
6. DrSTW, 2009
"That's a old school thing. That means an elevated heart and hand to Christ. It's like at the end of service when you raise your hand for the benediction. The left hand behind you is what the ushers tend to do called service position."

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7. carefulopenandfree, 2009
"growing up in my church, we had to raise our hand when we left or entered the sanctuary"

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8. momohojoman, 2009
"in african american churches in the 20's thru 60's raising the right hand was a tradition all over america. this church still upheld the tradition into the 80's. you still see it in some african american churches today. whenever you had to enter or leave during service you had to raise your right hand while walking. my mother and grandmother got all over me for not doing it one sunday when i had to go to the bathroom during service. the other church members told them and boy did i here from them"

**
10. momohojoman, 2009
"raising the right hand to enter or leave service while it is in session is an african american tradition. it symbolizes respect ,permission an honoring the creator"

**
11. cjb23cool, 2017
"✋An elevated heart and hand to Christ."

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ADDITIONAL RESPONSES TO THE QUESTION "WHY DO CHURCH CHOIR MEMBERS RAISE THEIR RIGHT HAND WHEN THEY MARCH IN TO THE CHURCH SERVICE?
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxhLY2dFses
First Church Of Deliverance Choir - Victory Is Mine/In The Name Of Jesus [discussion thread video given as #2 above]

1. wizz wizzingshire, 2011
"why are their hands raised?why is the old deacon hiding his face?"

**
REPLY
2. taoiii, 2011
"@wizzingshire: it looks to me as though their hands are raised in a silent amen to the testimony, as if to say 'me too. victory is mine TOO.'

i told satan, 'get thee gone; Jesus is mine.'"

**
3. wizz wizzingshire, 2011
"why are their hands raised?"

**
REPLY
4. Live the Word Cathedral Pastor Travis J. Robertson, 2017
"wizz wizzingshire A sign of surrender"

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5. AnnNC North Carolina, 2015
"In the old days, the custom of raising your right hand while you entered a church or marched in came from Elder Lucy Smith's Pentecostal Church. It was a sign that you had accepted Christ and were saved, as opposed to being a spectator or visitor."
-snip-
Notice that this is the exact same response to this question that was given in 2008 by "gospelbird22" [comment #3]. Perhaps these commenters are the same person.

**
REPLY
6. Mr Grace, 2019
"In this setting, I believe the raised right hand meant an elevated mind. This is a Spiritual Church"

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From 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34-iuy1SYmg&lc=Ugy5yeZ46UhMwkYWPzF4AaABAg.8Gc3jHt6mk19IRdRuk5c3t&ab_channel=fcdchicago
[discussion thread]

1. fcdmusician, 2011
"The right hand lifted when marching in the choir at First Deliverance represent and lifted mind.  My name is Marcus and I'm the choir Director and a member for over 40 years.

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2.  Ann_N_NC North Carolina, 2015

"In the old days, the custom of raising your right hand while you entered a church or marched in came from Elder Lucy Smith's Pentecostal Church. It was a sign that you had accepted Christ and were saved, as opposed to being a spectator or visitor."

**
Paula lockett-harris, 2016
"This morning at The Cathedral of Hope, Youngstown, OH we will "lift our right hands" as we march in for the same reasons already given."

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Virginia State University Gospel Chorale's Incorporation Of Black Greek Fraternity/Sorority Stepping Motions In Their Processional

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post provides information about Virginia State University and that university's Gospel choir.

This post also showcases a video of Virginia State University Gospel Chorale's incorporation of historically Black Greek letter fraternity/sorority stepping motions in their processional.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, religious, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all the composer and original singer of this song, and thanks to all those who are associated with this choir. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of the YouTube sound file whose link is included in this post.
-snip-
Click the "Black church processional" tag for other pancocojams posts on church processionals.

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INFORMATION ABOUT VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_State_University
"Virginia State University (VSU), also known as Virginia State, is a historically black public land-grant university in Ettrick, Virginia. Founded on March 6, 1882, Virginia State developed as the United States's first fully state-supported four-year institution of higher learning for black Americans.

[...]

Demographics
The 2017–2018 student body was 57.4% female and 43% male. It consists of 69.7% in-state and 30.3% out-of-state students.[5] 97.2% of students live on campus and 2.8% off-campus.[5] 91.1% of students self-identify as Black/African American, while 4.0% are White, and 4.0% are racially unreported.

[...]

Greek life
Virginia State University has a very active National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) along with six other non Pan-Hellenic fraternities and sororities which include the following active fraternities and sororities:

Alpha Phi Alpha (Beta Gamma)*
Alpha Kappa Alpha (Alpha Epsilon)*
Kappa Alpha Psi(Alpha Phi)*
Omega Psi Phi (Nu Psi)*
Delta Sigma Theta (Alpha Eta)*
Phi Beta Sigma (Alpha Alpha Alpha)*
Zeta Phi Beta (Phi)*
Sigma Gamma Rho (Alpha Zeta)*
Sigma Alpha Iota (Mu Beta)
Iota Phi Theta (Eta)*
Pershing Rifles
Pershing Angels
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (Sigma Zeta)
Kappa Kappa Psi (Zeta Psi)
Tau Beta Sigma (Epsilon Rho)
-snip-
I added an asterisk after the names of the Greek organizations that are members of National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)(unofficially known as "the Divine Nine").

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INFORMATION ABOUT VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY GOSPEL CHORALE
From http://www.kennedy-center.org/artist/B11292
"In 1971, Jackie Ruffin had a vision that resulted in the formation of the Virginia State University Gospel Ensemble, first directed by Larry Bland. In 1977, the Ensemble recorded its first album, Everyday with Jesus. In 1978, the choir recorded its second album, He's Able, and toured extensively.
In its first two decades, the choir won many awards and honors. In 1979 and 1980, respectively, it won first and third place at the Festival of College Gospel Choirs at Columbia University. It also won first and second place several years at a competition sponsored by the National Black Music Caucus in New York City.

In the 1990s, James Holden, Jr., took over as the choir's director and faculty advisor. Under his leadership, the Chorale won first prize in the 19th Annual National Black Music Caucus Gospel Choir Competition. In 1997, the choir performed throughout Italy; the highlight of the tour was performing for the Pope's Vatican Christmas Concert along with blues legend B.B. King and a host of international artists.

Presently comprised of 75 students, the VSU Gospel Chorale continues its mission to provide music for the University and surrounding communities. In addition to Mr. Holden, the ensemble is also led by Musical Director Mark Johnson and Student Director Mechelle Luster."...

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SHOWCASE VIDEO: The Reawakening Processional



Black Awakening Choir, Published on Dec 8, 2015

VCU's Black Awakening Choir at their 2015 Fall Concert titled "The Reawakening"
-snip-
Here are two comments from this video's discussion thread:
1. mikael epps, 2017
"Song?"

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REPLY
2. JazzwifeKNS, 2018
"Fred Hammond - Let the Praise Begin"

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Visitor comments are welcome.

Black Catholics In The USA Sing Gospel Music

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part series about African American Catholicism. Part II [formerly titled "Seven Videos Of African American Catholic Gospel Music"] showcases seven videos of Black Catholics in the United States singing Gospel music. Selected comments from the discussion threads of some of those videos are also included in this post.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/09/african-american-catholics-article.html for Part I of this series. Part I [formerly titled African American Catholics...] presents some historical information and comments about Black Catholics in the United States.

Note that the focus of this series is on African American Catholics only and not on other Black Catholics from the Caribbean, South American, Africa, and elsewhere who are now living in the United States.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured in the videos that are embedded in this post. Thanks to the publishers of those videos and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
These videos are presented in chronological order according to their publishing dates with the oldest dated video given first.

Notice that a number of people in several of these videos are wearing kente cloth sashes. In the United States since at least the late 1990s Ghanaian and Ivory Coast kente cloth has become a symbol of African heritage. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/02/wearing-kente-cloth-stoles-during.html for a pancocojams post that is part of a series about the Black American custom of wearing kente cloth. Also notice that there are people who don't appear to be Black in those choirs and in those congregations.

Example #1: St Joan of Arc Catholic Church [New Orleans, Louisiana] 100th Anniversary Celebration



ls3studios, Uploaded on Sep 5, 2008

100 Years of Faith: St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church Celebrates
"Forging the Future from the Struggles of the Past"
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread:
Matthew Zachary, 2009
"i'm going to New Orleans for college in 2 weeks. woot woot. im so excited. but are catholic churches there still racially segregated? jw. i hope not, cuz i need a home parish there.

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J Ashton, 2010
"Beautiful. I'm so glad I found this. As a new Catholic, I love seeing the unity with my own congregation. LOVE THE SONG. I will visit this again, just to hear the song!"

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Example #2: Black Catholic Choir



Jobriga, Uploaded on Apr 27, 2011

The Lord's Prayer (Our Father) as sung by the Archdiocese of Boston Black Catholic Choir.

Performed in the Goddard Chapel at Tufts University on Sunday, 1/28/07.

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Example #3: National Black Catholic Congress XI Day of Reflection: A Retrospective Slideshow



Andrew Lyke, Published on Mar 11, 2012

Prepared for the Day of Reflection for the National Black Catholic Congress XI

Archdiocese of Chicago
March 10, 2012
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread:
Jeremiah17v9, 2013
"I get very sad when I see the name of my Catholic Faith prefixed with a certain colour!

There is NO room for this divisive terminology in the Universal Catholic Church!"

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neenee0949, 2015
"To my dear friend Andrew Lyke, I say I cannot thank you enough for this! To Jeremiah17v9 I say I was privileged to be in an audience with Pope John Paul II and heard him say with my own ears that just as Black Catholics need the church, the church needs our gift of blackness, and this my brother is our gift of blackness at it's finest!"

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Example #4: National Black Catholic Congress 2012



Dale Brown, Published on Jul 20, 2012

July 19 Mass entrance procession
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread:
Joslyn Brown, 2012
"I was there and the procession of Clergy at the beginning of each Mass was awesome and spirited, the singing by the choir was breathtaking and uplifting, and the Homilies each day left you wanting more, and were something good to reflect on and share!!!!!!!!!"

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wcliffordpetty, 2013
"Thanks for posting...My name is W. Clifford Petty and I am the soloist featured in this video. This song was composed by Dr. Patrick Bradley and recorded on my TOUCH JESUS cd. You can download this song from iTunes. The sheet music and the CD are also available on the World Library Music web site."

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barritube1, 2013
"This reminds me of our Mass sessions we had when I went to Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Cameroon. It was so full of energy. Especially during feast days like Easter."

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Stefanie Miles, 2014
"These are Black Catholics who gathered from all over the country in Indianapolis for this conference. My parish was there from the Archdiocese of Washington (DC). This was an AWESOME experience!"

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Example #5: Music in Liturgy - Office of Black Catholics



WashArchdiocese, Published on Jul 31, 2013

Music in Liturgy: Music has always been a part of the worship life of the faithful. The African American Catholic voice is lifted up in praise and worship every time we gather at the liturgy. The exuberant and participatory expression of Gospel music you find in African American parishes is a wonderful example of the "New Evangelization" which the church has embraced. This music is an expression of our own (cultural) traditions and religious life. This diversity of worship practices and spiritualities is a strength of our church. This video touches on one part of how we are "Truly Black and Authentically Catholic".

For more information, please visit:
http://www.adw.org/black-catholics/

Also visit us at: http://www.adw.org

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Example #6: "Follow the Lamb" performed by the St. Columba Catholic Church Gospel Choir



Michael McAlpin, Published on Jan 18, 2013

The St. Columba Catholic Church Gospel Choir visited Saint Mary's on Jan. 15, 2013 to mark the 150th anniversary of the College, the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation and birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King. The choir sang a variety of gospel songs and spirituals and liturgical music from the Black Gospel tradition written for the Catholic Mass. "Follow the Lamb" is a selection composed by St. Columba's music director Rawn Harbor.
-snip-
I'm not sure where this choir is located.

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Example #7: Inside the only African American Catholic basilica



The Virginian-Pilot, Published on Jul 30, 2014

Basilica of St Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Norfolk [Virginia] is the only African American basilica in the country. The music director and the rector talk about their unique music direction and worship. Story: http://hamptonroads.com/2014/08/catholic-mass-done-unlike-any-youve-ever-seen“
-snip-
An excerpt of this article is included in Part I of this pancocojams series. Here's a definition of "basilica" from that article:
"The name "basilica" is a Roman Catholic honor bestowed by the pope to a church with architectural beauty and history. St. Mary's, the oldest Catholic church in the state, was built when steeples dominated skylines and churches were works of Gothic art. Its original 1842 structure, destroyed by fire in 1856, was replaced by the current one in 1858.”

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Visitor comments are welcome.

"Let's Go Way Back In God" (Apostolic Gospel song with lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post provides two video examples and lyrics to the Gospel song "Let's Go Way Back In God".

The content of this post is presented for religious and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the composer of this songs. Thanks also to all who are featured in these recordings and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.

Note: This isn't the same Gospel song as "Let Us Go Way Back To God" that was recorded by Sam Cooke & The Soul Stirrers

A sound file of that song can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNAZ_rVDH2A

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LYRIC PATTERN FOR THIS SONG
I've found two different lyric patterns for this song. I'm not sure which one is the oldest. I've labeled these as Pattern A and Pattern B.

Pattern A
1. Chorus [sing 4x]
2. Verse structure with response:
__ (a noun associated with church) don't __(a verb associated with church) like they used to (same verb)
Sing: Way back in God
Repeat first line Way back in God
Example:
Choir don't sing like they use to sing
Way back in God
Choir don't sing like they use to sing
Way back in God
3. Chorus [4x]
[Repeat this pattern.]

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Pattern B
1.`Chorus [4x]
2. Sing a verse from an old Gospel song/hymn. Repeat same verse one time.
3. Sing chorus [4x]
4. Sing verse from another old Gospel song/hymn. Repeat same verse one time.
6. Sing chorus [4x]
[Repeat this two part pattern as many times as you wish].
7. Sing verse structure with response as found in Part A.
8. Sing chorus
[Repeat that pattern as many times as you wish.]

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FEATURED EXAMPLES
Editor's Note:
It just so happens that both of these songs were sung during a church offering [when money is collected for the church upkeep and/or other church work such as "missionary services".]

Uptempo songs are usually sung for church offerrings, even if ushers pass the plate row by row instead of rows of congregants walking (or marching) to the front of the church altar to put their money into a designated offerring plate.r

Example #1: Let's Go Way Back ~ Offering Time ~ 2011 GLC Youth Conference



gospellight684, Uploaded on Jun 11, 2011

Love vs Confidence @ 2011 GLC Youth Conference
-snip-
This comment was written in response to the question "Where is this church located" and the song's lyrics were posted in this video's discussion thread:
NewMercies02, Sep 2, 2011
"@Mysinsaregone The church is located in Newark, New Jersey.

Lyrics
Chorus:
Lets go way back , way back in god
lets go way back, way back in god
lets go way back, way back in god

The people don't sing like they used to sing, way back in god
The people don't sing like they used to sing, way back in god

chorus

The people don't pray like they used to pray, way back in god
The people don't pray like they used to pray, way back in god.


Its a praise and worship song, u can really add any lyrics u want."
-snip-
This is Pattern A for this song.

Note the comment that there are no fixed verses for this song.
One commenter wrote that this service is "like a real Jamaican church". Another commenter wrote that she remembered that song from a church in Cuba.

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Example #2: Lets Go Way Back in God



Bethelapost Church Published on Jul 17, 2013 [Bethel Apostolic Church]

The Voices of the Overcomers, The Ambassadors and Kids in Praise ministering at Congress 2013, second night, July 17, 2013
Bethel Apostolic church
-snip-

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LYRICS: LET'S GO WAY BACK IN GOD
(composer ?}

Chorus
Let’s go way back
Way back in God
[Oh] Let’s go way back
Way back in God

[sing chorus 4x]

Verse #1
It’s me, it's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer
It’s me, it's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer
It’s me, it's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer
It’s me, it's me, it's me, oh Lord
Standing in the need of prayer

Chorus

Verse #2*
Amazing grace how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now I’m found
Was blind but now I see

Chorus

Verse #3
It was Grace that taught my heart to fear
And Grace my fear relieved
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed

Chorus

Verse #5
Choir don’t sing like they used to sing
Way back in God
Choir don’t sing like they used to sing
Way back in God

Verse #6
Preacher don’t preach like they used to preach
Way back in God
Preacher don’t preach like they used to preach
Way back in God

Chorus

Verse #7
People don’t shout like they used to shout
Way back in God
People don’t shout like they used to shout
Way back in God

Verse #8
Church don’t praise like they used to praise
Way back in God
Church don’t praise like they used to praise
Way back in God

Chorus

[Continue singing as long as you wish.]
-snip-
This is Pattern B for this song.

*There are no fixed verses for this song.
I wasn't able to transcribe the complete song that the choir in this video sung. Verses #2 and #3 are my substitution for those verses that the choir sand that I couldn't decipher.
-snip-
According to Google search, there are Bethel Apostolic churches throughout the United States and in Canada. I wonder if this denomination and this style of choir processional during church offerrings came to the USA and Canada via Jamaican immigrants.

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Five Examples Of Black Gospel Versions Of The Song "Take A Trip-On That Good Ole Gospel Ship" (with lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest Update - March 16, 2023

This pancocojams post showcases five examples of Black Gospel versions of the song "Take A Trip" (On that good ole Gospel ship). The lyrics to certain versions of this song are included in this post. The sources for these songs are from from 19th century religious songs from enslaved Black Americans such as the lyrics given in the first section below.   

The Addendum to this post showcases a sound file of the song "Gospel Ship" as performed by The Carter Family. This Anglo-American Country Gospel song was arranged by A. P. Carter. The sources for that Anglo-American song are also from 19th century religious songs from enslaved Black Americans.  

The content of this post are presented for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to B. Chase Williams, and other composer and arrangers of these songs. Thanks also to .all those featured in these examples. And thanks to the sound file and video producers and publishers of these examples on YouTube.

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TWO 19th CENTURY BLACK AMERICAN SONGS THAT ARE PROBABLE SOURCES FOR THE 1996 GOSPEL SONG "TAKE A TRIP (ON THAT GOOD OLE GOSPEL SHIP)"
 "THE OLD SHIP OF ZION III

Posted by Dicho (Frank Staplin) 10 Nov 01,  https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=41005 ,Add: OLD SHIP OF ZION (spiritual)

" [...]

Cho.

Don't you see that ship a-sailin',
Gwine over to the Promised Land?
I asked my Lord, shall I ever be the one,
Shall I ever be the one, shall I ever be the one,
To go sailin', sailin', sailin', sailin',
Gwine over to the Promised Land?

2. She sails like she is heavy-loaded, etc.
3. King Jesus is the captain, etc.
4. The Holy Ghost is the pilot, etc.

The above, from North Carolina, is in Allen, 1867, Slave Songs of the United States."


[...]

THE SHIP OF ZION V

Dis de good old ship o' Zion, (3 times)
An' she's makin' for de Promise Land.

She hab angels for de sailors (3 times)
An' she's makin' for de Promise Land.

An' how you know dey's angels? (3 times)
An' she's etc.

Good Lord, shall I be de one? (3 times)
An' she's etc.

Dat ship is out a-sailin', sailin', sailin',
An' she's etc.
She's a-sailin' mighty steady, steady, steady,
An' she's etc.
She'll neither reel nor totter, totter, totter,
An' she's etc.
She's a-sailin' away cold Jordan, Jordan, Jordan,
An' she's etc.
King Jesus is de captain, captain, captain,
An' she's making for de Promise Land.

From T. W. Higginson, 1867

THE SHIP OF ZION VI

De gospel ship is sailin', Hosann-sann.
O, Jesus is de captain, Hosann-sann.
De angels are de sailors, Hosann-sann
O, is your bundle ready? Hosann-sann.
O, have you got your ticket? Hosann-sann.

Versions 4-6 from T. W. Higginson, Negro Spirituals, Atlantic Monthly, 1867.
See Fenner, Dett and others for other early versions.

OLD SHIP OF ZION VII

Cho"...

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WHEN WAS B. CHASE WILLIAM'S "TAKE A TRIP ON THAT GOOD OLD GOSPEL SHIP" RECORDED

Excerpt #1

From https://www.bchasewilliams.com/biography
"Minister Brian Chase Williams (B. Chase Williams), a native of Cincinnati, Ohio was destined for greatness since birth. At the tender age of 7 years old, he began playing the piano in his local church. At the age of 10, B. Chase began directing choirs and expanded within his musical gifts.

[...]

in 1993, he started the ministry of “ShaBach”; a group of remarkable, anointed, skilled, and unique singers who love God.

[...]

B. Chase Williams and “ShaBach” soared to unexpected heights in music, ministry, and profession. He recorded his debut album “Take a Trip” with Light Records where that same named tune peaked the Billboard Charts at #10 for 29 consecutive weeks. A sophomore album titled ‘Give it Up’ released in 1997 and peaked at #36 of the Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart."...

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Excerpt 2
From Billboard - Mar 16, 1996 - Page 45 - Google Books Result

google.com

https://books.google.com › books

Vol. 108, No. 11 · ‎Magazine

The debut project from B. Chase Williams & the ShaBach Choir, Take A Trip is a unique stylistic.

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LYRICS: TAKE A TRIP (On that good ole Gospel Ship)
(B Chase Williams)

I'm gonna
(take a trip)
On that
(good ole gospel ship
And we'll go sailing through the air

And when my
(ship comes in)
Gonna leave
(this ole world of sin)
And we'll go sailing through the air.

Repeat

Trouble in my way, I have to cry sometimes
Trouble in my way, I have to cry sometimes
I lay awake a night, but that's alright;
Jesus he will fix it after while

Stepped in the furnace a long time ago;
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
They wasn't worried, this I know
Jesus he will fix it after while

Jesus,He will fix it (repeat)
Right now.

Source http://www.lyriczz.com/lyrics/b-chase-williams/98499-take-a-trip/ with the beginning arrangement from the YouTube recording given below as Example #1 and as sung in most of the rendition of this song on YouTube.

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FEATURED EXAMPLES
With the exception of Example #1, these examples are presented in chronological order by their posting dates on YouTube, with the oldest dated example given second, third, and forth.

Example 1: b chase Williams - take a trip on that good old gospel ship



demetrrius3000 Uploaded on Aug 6, 2011

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Example #2: I'm GOING TO TAKE A TRIP IN THAT GOOD OLD GOSPEL SHIP-GOSPEL TRAIN



Regina Thomas, Uploaded on Jan 20, 2010

JAMAICAN CONVOCATION 2009
-snip-
The choir and the congregation repeatedly sing these lyrics:
I'm gonna take a trip
In the good old gospel ship
And fly far beyond the sky,

I'm gonna sing and shout
until the heavens ring
And bid this world goodbye.
-snip-
In this video this song is sung during a church offering.

As an aside, notice that the middle aged & older women in this church wear hats, but most of the younger females don't. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/04/why-fewer-african-american-women-wear.html for a pancocojams post about the custom of African American women wearing hats in church.

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Example #3: Take a Trip...on This Old Gospel Ship



belikejcn08, Uploaded on Jul 12, 2010

April on lead....Antioch Baptist Church Gospel Choir Anniversary 2010

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Example #4: "TAKE A TRIP ON A GOSPEL SHIP" BY EVANG. GUSSIE TURRENTINE



Pearl Morgan, Published on Jan 28, 2013

Evang. Gussie Turrentine sings "Take A Trip" as our New Life of St. John Baptist Church Family give our tithes, where Rev. Gordon Wells is our Pastor and 1st Lady, Evang. Shirley Wells

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Example #5: Rev. Utah Smith - Take A Trip



vknfuj, Uploaded on Mar 30, 2010
A great song.
-snip-
Hat tip to the anonymous commenter (January 23, 2017) who alerted me to this 1953 recording by African American singer Rev. Utah Smith.

The previously featured example is no longer available.

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ADDENDUM: "THE CARTER'S "GOSPEL SHIP" 
The 1996 Black Gospel song "Take A Trip" (On That Good Ole Gospel Ship" is probably an evolution of 19th century African American religious songs that refer to "the Gospel ship".

 The Anglo American religious song "That Old Gospel Ship" which was recorded in 1935 by The Carters is probably also an evolution of  one or more of those 19th century religious song. The Carter's song has different lyrics and a different tune than "Take A Trip" (On That Good Ole Gospel Ship". 

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Here's some information about The Carter's "The Gospel Ship"
From https://www.countrythangdaily.com/old-gospel-ship/
..."Dubbed as country music’s first family, The Carter Family did not only focus on recording country songs but also specialized in Southern gospel music. One of their beautiful gospel recordings was called the “Gospel Ship.”

[...]

Different sources provide varying information as to who the song’s real author is. AllMusic.com says the composer is Traditional and by this, it means the song has no established author. It belongs to those tunes dating back to the pre-publishing era. On the other hand, Classic Country Lyrics credited the writing to one of the group’s members, A.P. Carter."...
-snip-
This article indicates that this song was first released in 2000. That information is contradicted by multiple online sites that give the year 1935 for the first time that The Carter's first recording the first recorded that song.  "The Gospel Ship" is included in The Carter's 2000 album entitled Can The Circle Be Unbroken: Country Music’s First Family.  Click https://genius.com/The-carter-family-gospel-ship-lyrics for the words to that song. 

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Here's a sound file for that song:

Carter Family-Gospel Ship



ILOveOldies, Uploaded on Mar 8, 2011
-snip-
LYRICS: GOSPEL SHIP
(Recorded by the Carter Family; Written by A.P. Carter}

I'm going to take a trip in that good old gospel ship
I'm going far beyond the sky
I'm gonna shout and sing till heaven rings
When I bid this world goodbye

I have good news to bring and that is why I sing
All my joys with you I'll share
I'm going to take a trip in that good old gospel ship
And go sailing through the air

Repeat #1

I can scarcely wait I know I won't be late I'll spend my time in prayer
And when the ship comes in I'll leave this world of sin
And go sailing through the air

Repeat #1

f you are ashamed of me you ought not to be Yes you'd better have a care
If too much fault you find you will sure be left behind
While I'm sailing through the air

Repeat #1

Source http://www.classic-country-song-lyrics.com/gospelshiplyricschords.html

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