Edited by Azizi Powell
This is Part II of a two part pancocojams series on the African American Gospel song "(Got On My) Traveling Shoes".
Part II presents two videos of the Gospel song "(Got On My) Traveling Shoes" along with the lyrics to those renditions. These versions are given in addition to the examples that are featured in Part I of this pancocojams series.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/08/five-youtube-examples-of-african.html for Part I of this series. Part I showcases five YouTube examples of the song "(Got On My) Traveling Shoes" beginning with the earliest recording of that song in 1939.
The content of this post is presented for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the unknown composers of the Gospel song "(Got On My) Travelin[g] Shoes". Thanks to those who are featured in these videos and thanks to the arrangers of this song who are quoted in this post.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
I decided to research the lyrics for the African American Gospel "Travelin Shoes" after I came across a video of the Clara Ward Singers performing this song (given as Example #3 in Part I of this series.) Although some of the online lyrics were somewhat similar, none of those lyrics were exact or near exact transcriptions for the sound files or videos that I happened upon (some of which were later showcased on Part I of this series.
These lyrics are given in no particular order.
****
LYRICS FOR TWO VERSIONS OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN GOSPEL SONG "(GOT ON MY) TRAVELIN[G] SHOES"
Example #1: MOTHER FOX SINGING TRAVELING SHOES LORD
Greater Anointing, Published on Mar 30, 2010
FROM CHURCH OF GOD DELIVERANCE
-snip-
Lyrics "(Got On My) Travelin[g] Shoes"
(As Lead by Mother Fox, Church Of God Deliverance)
Lead: got my travelin shoes
Group: got on my travelin shoes
Got my travelin shoes
got on my travelin shoes
Got my travelin shoes
got on my travelin shoes
Lead: Lord, they fit me well
group – got on my travelin shoes
Lead – Lord they fit me well
Group – got on my travelin shoes
Lead – Lord they fit me well
Group =on my travelin shoes
Travelin shoes, Lord ( or y’all [?])
Got on my travelin shoes
Travelin shoes y’all
Got on my travelin shoes
Holy shoes, y’all
Got on my travelin shoes
Holy shoes, y’all
Got on my travelin shoes
Feel like running on
Got on my travelin shoes
Feel like travelin now
got on my travelin shoes
[3 xs]
Feel like running on
Got on my travelin shoes
Feel like runnin on
Got on my travelin shoes
Feel like runnin on
Travelin shoes, y’all
travelin shoes y’all
Travelin shoes y’all
Holy shoes y’all
[Additional verses sung in the call & response pattern given above
Lord (Well?) they fit me well
Well they fit me well
Feel like runnin on
-snip-
*This is my transcription of this rendition from the video. Additions and corrections are welcome.
****
Example #2: "Travelin Shoes Spoof"- Mondo & Dwayne (Rowoches)
Rowoches, Published on Jun 23, 2009
:My cousin and I are fans of many different Golden Age Gospel singers/groups. Here we decided to do the Ward Singers' version of "Travelin' Shoes." Just cutting up and acting a fool, but still giving God the Praise in the midst of the fun!
-snip-
[Pancocojams Editor's Note: The title for discussion thread quotes the title for the YouTube video. The definition of "spoof" is "to imitate (something) while exaggerating its characteristic features for comic effect."). Notice Rowoches' (Dwayne's) comment about this "spoof".
One example of the Clara Ward Singers' renditions of "Travelin Shoes" is given as Example #2 in Part I of this pancocojams series.
Lyrics from http://www.learngospelmusic.com/forums/index.php?topic=67894.0 Traveling Shoes spoof
****
Rowoches, July 17, 2009, 12:10:37 PM »
"I usually don't deal with lyrics, but here are the lyrics to the song.
Travelin' shoes
(Got on my travelin shoes)
Travelin' shoes
(Got on my travelin shoes)
Travelin' shoes, Lord
(Got on my travelin shoes)
Travelin' shoes, Lord
(Got on my travelin shoes)
verse 1:
Death came riding by, by my Mother's door
He said, "Come on Mother, are you ready to go?"
Mother stooped down, began to buckle up her shoes
And she counted up her cost, she had no time to lose
Then she moved on down by the Jordan stream
And she shouted, "Hallelujah, Lord, I been redeemed"
She cried, "Lord, I done my duty!"
"Got on my travelin' shoes"
verse 2:
Death came riding by, by the sinner's door
He said, "Come on Sinner, are you ready to go?"
Sinner stooped down, he didn't have no shoes
He hadn't counted up his cost, so he could not refuse
So, he moved on down by the Jordan stream
And the water came up to the sinner's knee
Then the water came up to the sinner's thigh
He said, "Oh, my Lord, I ain't ready to die."
Then the water moved up to the sinner's neck
He said, "Oh, my Lord, please don't take me yet"
Then the water came up to the sinner's chin
And along came death and just pushed him in
He cried, "Lord, ain't done my duty"
"Ain't got no travelin shoes"
****
This concludes Part II of this two part pancocojams series on the Gospel song "Travelin Shoes".
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Showing posts with label Clara Ward Singers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Clara Ward Singers. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 13, 2019
Five YouTube Examples Of The African American Gospel Song "(Got On My) Traveling Shoes"
Edited by Azizi Powell
This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series on the African American Gospel song "(Got On My) Traveling Shoes".
Part I showcases five YouTube examples of the song "(Got On My) Traveling Shoes" beginning with the earliest recording of that song in 1939.
Part II presents two additional videos of the Gospel song "(Got On My) Traveling Shoes" along with the lyrics to those renditions of that song.
The content of this post is presented for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the unknown composers of this song and thanks to all those who are featured in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.
****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLES
[With the exception of Example #1, all of these examples are given in chronological order based on their publishing date on YouTube, with the oldest dated example given first).
Example #1: Selah Jubilee Singers - Traveling Shoes
Sliptrail, Published on Sep 28, 2015
A gospel classic (recorded by Clara Ward for example) …. This one´s from the "Selah Jubilee Singers Vol. 1 (1939-1941)". About the word "selah" here´s a quote explaining it: "the word ‘selah' is in the Hebrew bible where it is used regularly in the Psalms. It is somewhat similar to ‘amen' and can be translated roughly as ‘stop and listen' or ‘let those with eyes see, let those with ears hear'. ‘Selah' can also mean ‘forever' and sounds very like ‘sela', the Hebrew word for rock. In recent memory, the word ‘selah' has been adopted by the Rastafari..." (Arwulf Arwulf AMG).
-snip-
Here's information about this song from https://secondhandsongs.com/work/150445
"First release by Selah Jubilee Quartet (1939)
Written by [Traditional]
Language: English
Comments: An African American gospel tune in which Death calls upon sinners who indicate that they can't accompany him because they don't have their "traveling shoes." The Christian, in constrast, [sic] is eager to move along."
****
Example #2: "Travelin' Shoes"- Clara Ward Singers
Rowoches, Published on Jul 25, 2012
*I don't have the copyrights to this video, but I have been given permission, by Willa Ward, to post.*
The Clara Ward Singers in Antibes, France during the 1962 Antibes Jazz Festival. Many of us who are familiar with the Ward Singers are used to hearing Vi Crowley or Madeline Thompson lead this particular song. However, in this concert, Vermettya Royster leads the group in "Travelin' Shoes." Mildred Means, soprano.
****
Example #3: Traveling Shoes - The Chambers Brothers
MrShoesand, Published on Mar 25, 2013
We're ready to go but it ain't time yet.
****
Example #4: The Stars of Faith in concert part 7 Travelin Shoes
Thejazzsingers Jazz in Holland, Published on Sep 13, 2013
The Stars in a tv show travelin shoes a big part for mattie Dozier Harper later much more ..... Enjoy it
***
Example #5: Traveling Shoes
The Mighty Gospel Imperials – Topic, Published on Oct 16, 2015
Provided to YouTube by CDBaby
Traveling Shoes · The Mighty Gospel Imperials
After All This Time
℗ 2006 The Mighty Gospel Imperials
****
This concludes Part I of this pancocojams series on the Gospel song "Travelin[g] Shoes".
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series on the African American Gospel song "(Got On My) Traveling Shoes".
Part I showcases five YouTube examples of the song "(Got On My) Traveling Shoes" beginning with the earliest recording of that song in 1939.
Part II presents two additional videos of the Gospel song "(Got On My) Traveling Shoes" along with the lyrics to those renditions of that song.
The content of this post is presented for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the unknown composers of this song and thanks to all those who are featured in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.
****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLES
[With the exception of Example #1, all of these examples are given in chronological order based on their publishing date on YouTube, with the oldest dated example given first).
Example #1: Selah Jubilee Singers - Traveling Shoes
Sliptrail, Published on Sep 28, 2015
A gospel classic (recorded by Clara Ward for example) …. This one´s from the "Selah Jubilee Singers Vol. 1 (1939-1941)". About the word "selah" here´s a quote explaining it: "the word ‘selah' is in the Hebrew bible where it is used regularly in the Psalms. It is somewhat similar to ‘amen' and can be translated roughly as ‘stop and listen' or ‘let those with eyes see, let those with ears hear'. ‘Selah' can also mean ‘forever' and sounds very like ‘sela', the Hebrew word for rock. In recent memory, the word ‘selah' has been adopted by the Rastafari..." (Arwulf Arwulf AMG).
-snip-
Here's information about this song from https://secondhandsongs.com/work/150445
"First release by Selah Jubilee Quartet (1939)
Written by [Traditional]
Language: English
Comments: An African American gospel tune in which Death calls upon sinners who indicate that they can't accompany him because they don't have their "traveling shoes." The Christian, in constrast, [sic] is eager to move along."
****
Example #2: "Travelin' Shoes"- Clara Ward Singers
Rowoches, Published on Jul 25, 2012
*I don't have the copyrights to this video, but I have been given permission, by Willa Ward, to post.*
The Clara Ward Singers in Antibes, France during the 1962 Antibes Jazz Festival. Many of us who are familiar with the Ward Singers are used to hearing Vi Crowley or Madeline Thompson lead this particular song. However, in this concert, Vermettya Royster leads the group in "Travelin' Shoes." Mildred Means, soprano.
****
Example #3: Traveling Shoes - The Chambers Brothers
MrShoesand, Published on Mar 25, 2013
We're ready to go but it ain't time yet.
****
Example #4: The Stars of Faith in concert part 7 Travelin Shoes
Thejazzsingers Jazz in Holland, Published on Sep 13, 2013
The Stars in a tv show travelin shoes a big part for mattie Dozier Harper later much more ..... Enjoy it
***
Example #5: Traveling Shoes
The Mighty Gospel Imperials – Topic, Published on Oct 16, 2015
Provided to YouTube by CDBaby
Traveling Shoes · The Mighty Gospel Imperials
After All This Time
℗ 2006 The Mighty Gospel Imperials
****
This concludes Part I of this pancocojams series on the Gospel song "Travelin[g] Shoes".
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Wednesday, August 7, 2019
Clara Ward Singers - Will The Circle Be Unbroken (Black Gospel sound file, lyrics, & comments))
Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post presents information about the 1907 religious hymn "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" and information about the renown African American Gospel group the Clara Ward Singers who recorded an adaptation of this song in 1973.
This post showcases a 1973 YouTube sound file of the Clara Ward Singers' Black Gospel adaptation of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken". Some comments from that sound file's discussion thread and from the discussion thread for another YouTube sound file of that song are also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the composers of the 1907 song "Will The Circle Be Unbroken". Thanks also to the Clara Ward Singers for their musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these sound files on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE RELIGIOUS HYMN "WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN"
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_the_Circle_Be_Unbroken%3F
""Will the Circle Be Unbroken?" is a popular Christian hymn written in 1907 by Ada R. Habershon with music by Charles H. Gabriel. The song is often recorded unattributed and, because of its age, has lapsed into the public domain. Most of the chorus appears in the later songs "Can the Circle Be Unbroken" and "Daddy Sang Bass".
Other versions
The Ballad Index [2] notes that the tune now commonly sung differs substantially from the original tune by Gabriel. It also notes the first known recording of this variant, by the Metropolitan Quartet in 1927.
Carter version
A reworked version of the song, intended as a funeral hymn, was written by A. P. Carter and released in 1935 by the Carter Family. The Carter version, titled "Can the Circle be Unbroken", uses the same music and the same verse structure but with different verse lyrics and a modified chorus. That version has often been recorded as "Will the Circle be Unbroken", including the 1972 performance by Mother Maybelle Carter and ensemble on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band album of the same title.
The original version of the song does not insert "Lord" in lines 2 and 4 of the chorus,[1] though the Carter version does. Also, the third line of the chorus is phrased as a question in the original, but as a declarative sentence in the Carter version, and the Carter version as written begins the chorus with 'Can' instead of 'Will'.
The Carter version is still under copyright."...
-snip-
This Wikipedia article includes the original lyrics for "Will The Circle Be Unbroken".
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjHjm5sRqSA for a YouTube sound file of "Can The Circle Be Unbroken" by The Carter Family.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE CLARA WARD SINGERS
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clara_Ward
"Clara Mae Ward[1] (April 21, 1924 – January 16, 1973)[4][5] was an American gospel artist who achieved great artistic and commercial success during the 1940s and 1950s, as leader of The Famous Ward Singers. A gifted singer and arranger, Ward adopted the lead-switching style, previously used primarily by male gospel quartets, creating opportunities for spontaneous improvisation and vamping by each member of the group, while giving virtuoso singers such as Marion Williams the opportunity to perform the lead vocal in songs such as "Surely, God Is Able" (among the first million-selling gospel hits), "How I Got Over" and "Packin' Up" ”...
****
RECORD INFORMATION ABOUT CLARA WARD SINGERS' "WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN"
From https://www.discogs.com/Clara-Ward-The-Clara-Ward-Singers-Will-The-Circle-Be-Unbroken-Lean-On-Me/master/953567 Clara Ward & The Clara Ward Singers – Will The Circle Be Unbroken / Lean On Me
"Genre: Funk / Soul
Style: Gospel, Soul
Year: 1973"
-snip-
Clara Ward Singers' record "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" is what I refer to as a "gospelized hymn". My definition of "gospelized hymn" is a hymn that is performed in a Black gospel style.
****
LYRICS FOR "WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN"
(As sung by the Clara Ward Singers)
Chorus [sung by the Lead singer with guitar accompaniment]
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord
By and by
There’s a better
Home awaitin
In the sky, Lord
In the sky
Chorus [with the group singing first, the Lead riffing, and band accompaniment]
Verse 1 [the Lead sings with the group singing the chorus in the background with the band accompaniment]
One by one our loved one leave us
Well, one by one they all pass away
Oh, but what a meeting
When we greet them
In the sky, one blessed day
Chorus [with the group singing first, the Lead riffing, and band accompaniment]
Verse 2 [the Lead sings with the group singing the chorus in the background with the band accompaniment]
Well, we’ll be talkin,
talkin ‘bout our childhood
Singin songs all our mothers love
I wonder will there be any parting
When we reach that home above
Chorus [with the group singing first, the Lead riffing, and band accompaniment and with a faster tempo]
Group - Will the circle
Lead – will the circle
Group- be unbroken
Lead – be unbroken
Group- by and by Lord
Lead -Hey Hey Hey,
Lord Lord
Group -there’s a better
Lead there-s a better
Group --Home awaitin
Lead -In the sky Lord
In the sky
Lead -Oh-o in the sky
Hey hey hey
[The chorus is repeated two additional times with the Lead singing the same or different riffs]
-snip-
This is my basic transcription of this song, given without a complete transcription of the lead singer's interjections and other riffs.
****
SHOWCASE SOUND FILE - Clara Ward-Will The Circle Be Unbroken
Walter Robinson, Published on Aug 18, 2013
-snip-
This sound file only has two comments in its discussion thread. Those comments are:
1. Daniel Chisler, 2015
"Clara and the Ward singers always top notch"
**
2. Zhair Miller, 2018
"They took this too Church!!!!"
-snip-
Here's a definition for "took me to church" that I included in Part II of a 2018 pancocojams series entitled "What "Took Me To Church", "Sang", "Went In" And Other Black (African American) Church Words & Phrases Mean, Part II" http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/09/what-took-me-to-church-sang-went-in-and_1.html. Part II provides definitions for terms that begin with the letter M-Z.
"[in reference to Gospel singing or speaking about some emotive subject] the performance was so spirit filled -in the positive, religious meaning of that term- that while listening to it the person was touched by the Holy Spirit. People who feel the Holy Spirit behave in ways that are outside of their control. For example, they may weep, shout (get happy i.e. go in, do the Holy dance), testify about God's grace, speak in tongues etc.)
Similarly, "almost took me to church" means that the performance is reminiscent of church services that were/are full of the Holy Spirit"
-snip-
Another way of saying the same thing is "I almost went to church" [when I was listening to this song].
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/09/what-took-me-to-church-sang-went-in-and.html for a 2018 pancocojams post entitled "What "Took Me To Church", "Sang", "Went In" And Other Black (African American) Church Words & Phrases Mean, Part I". Part I provides definitions for terms that begin with the letter A-L.
****
Here are several comments from the discussion thread for another YouTube sound file of this song. (I chose the 2013 sound file because it included photographs of Clara Ward and of the Clara Ward Singers.)
Comments from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67fYJCXsWFQ
"Will The Circle Be Unbroken"- Clara Ward Singers
Rowoches, Published on Mar 21, 2009
1. Nando Jamal Wash, 2009
"I sung this today as the Processional song for a funeral....Lawd them Saints went "slap" in...."
-snip-
"went "slap" in" = The people in attendance at that funeral service (home going service) felt the Holy Spirit as a result of that rendition of that song so much so they that they experienced involuntary movements such as slapping themselves and others. [This probably was an exaggeration.]
A definition for "went in" is found after comment #6.
**
2. Rowoches, 2009
"I'm not listening to the actual recording right now, but if I can remember correctly, she said, "Pardon" "
**
REPLY
3. B R Jones, 2018
"will there be any PARTING when we reach that home above?"
**
4. Trevez Montgomery, 2009
"Yes Suh!!!"
**
5. Ephesians6:10-18, 2013
"SANG CLARA"
-snip-
"Sang" [in the context of this comment] is a present tense interjection that means "to sing very well, especially to sing soulfully very well".
**
6. Ephesians6:10-18, 2013
"GOT ME SHOUTIN ON THE OTHER half of the song"
-snip-
I think "the other half of the song" means the part when the tempo increased.
"Shouting" [in the context of this comment] means to "feel the [Holy] Spirit". Two other ways of saying that is "to go in"; or "to get happy".
**
7. Rowoches, 2013
"Clara Thomas was the first lead on "In The Morning". She was a former member of the Gospel Pearls (Bessie Griffin). This is Clara Ward leading "Will The Circle Be Unbroken." "
**
8. Rowoches, 2013
"Go'head, Go'head!!"
**
9. Alan Hudson, 2014
"My Lord Clara sannng that song...she got me I almost went in went she said "Lawd have mercy"@3:30 that was getting to good to her spirit a reassurance that the circle will never be unbroken"
-snip-
Notice the on purpose use of down home (old time Southern) African American Vernacular English (for instance, . "Lawd" instead of "Lord" and "Yes Suh" instead of "Yes Sir".
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This pancocojams post presents information about the 1907 religious hymn "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" and information about the renown African American Gospel group the Clara Ward Singers who recorded an adaptation of this song in 1973.
This post showcases a 1973 YouTube sound file of the Clara Ward Singers' Black Gospel adaptation of "Will The Circle Be Unbroken". Some comments from that sound file's discussion thread and from the discussion thread for another YouTube sound file of that song are also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the composers of the 1907 song "Will The Circle Be Unbroken". Thanks also to the Clara Ward Singers for their musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these sound files on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE RELIGIOUS HYMN "WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN"
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Will_the_Circle_Be_Unbroken%3F
""Will the Circle Be Unbroken?" is a popular Christian hymn written in 1907 by Ada R. Habershon with music by Charles H. Gabriel. The song is often recorded unattributed and, because of its age, has lapsed into the public domain. Most of the chorus appears in the later songs "Can the Circle Be Unbroken" and "Daddy Sang Bass".
Other versions
The Ballad Index [2] notes that the tune now commonly sung differs substantially from the original tune by Gabriel. It also notes the first known recording of this variant, by the Metropolitan Quartet in 1927.
Carter version
A reworked version of the song, intended as a funeral hymn, was written by A. P. Carter and released in 1935 by the Carter Family. The Carter version, titled "Can the Circle be Unbroken", uses the same music and the same verse structure but with different verse lyrics and a modified chorus. That version has often been recorded as "Will the Circle be Unbroken", including the 1972 performance by Mother Maybelle Carter and ensemble on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band album of the same title.
The original version of the song does not insert "Lord" in lines 2 and 4 of the chorus,[1] though the Carter version does. Also, the third line of the chorus is phrased as a question in the original, but as a declarative sentence in the Carter version, and the Carter version as written begins the chorus with 'Can' instead of 'Will'.
The Carter version is still under copyright."...
-snip-
This Wikipedia article includes the original lyrics for "Will The Circle Be Unbroken".
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjHjm5sRqSA for a YouTube sound file of "Can The Circle Be Unbroken" by The Carter Family.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE CLARA WARD SINGERS
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clara_Ward
"Clara Mae Ward[1] (April 21, 1924 – January 16, 1973)[4][5] was an American gospel artist who achieved great artistic and commercial success during the 1940s and 1950s, as leader of The Famous Ward Singers. A gifted singer and arranger, Ward adopted the lead-switching style, previously used primarily by male gospel quartets, creating opportunities for spontaneous improvisation and vamping by each member of the group, while giving virtuoso singers such as Marion Williams the opportunity to perform the lead vocal in songs such as "Surely, God Is Able" (among the first million-selling gospel hits), "How I Got Over" and "Packin' Up" ”...
****
RECORD INFORMATION ABOUT CLARA WARD SINGERS' "WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN"
From https://www.discogs.com/Clara-Ward-The-Clara-Ward-Singers-Will-The-Circle-Be-Unbroken-Lean-On-Me/master/953567 Clara Ward & The Clara Ward Singers – Will The Circle Be Unbroken / Lean On Me
"Genre: Funk / Soul
Style: Gospel, Soul
Year: 1973"
-snip-
Clara Ward Singers' record "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" is what I refer to as a "gospelized hymn". My definition of "gospelized hymn" is a hymn that is performed in a Black gospel style.
****
LYRICS FOR "WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN"
(As sung by the Clara Ward Singers)
Chorus [sung by the Lead singer with guitar accompaniment]
Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord
By and by
There’s a better
Home awaitin
In the sky, Lord
In the sky
Chorus [with the group singing first, the Lead riffing, and band accompaniment]
Verse 1 [the Lead sings with the group singing the chorus in the background with the band accompaniment]
One by one our loved one leave us
Well, one by one they all pass away
Oh, but what a meeting
When we greet them
In the sky, one blessed day
Chorus [with the group singing first, the Lead riffing, and band accompaniment]
Verse 2 [the Lead sings with the group singing the chorus in the background with the band accompaniment]
Well, we’ll be talkin,
talkin ‘bout our childhood
Singin songs all our mothers love
I wonder will there be any parting
When we reach that home above
Chorus [with the group singing first, the Lead riffing, and band accompaniment and with a faster tempo]
Group - Will the circle
Lead – will the circle
Group- be unbroken
Lead – be unbroken
Group- by and by Lord
Lead -Hey Hey Hey,
Lord Lord
Group -there’s a better
Lead there-s a better
Group --Home awaitin
Lead -In the sky Lord
In the sky
Lead -Oh-o in the sky
Hey hey hey
[The chorus is repeated two additional times with the Lead singing the same or different riffs]
-snip-
This is my basic transcription of this song, given without a complete transcription of the lead singer's interjections and other riffs.
****
SHOWCASE SOUND FILE - Clara Ward-Will The Circle Be Unbroken
Walter Robinson, Published on Aug 18, 2013
-snip-
This sound file only has two comments in its discussion thread. Those comments are:
1. Daniel Chisler, 2015
"Clara and the Ward singers always top notch"
**
2. Zhair Miller, 2018
"They took this too Church!!!!"
-snip-
Here's a definition for "took me to church" that I included in Part II of a 2018 pancocojams series entitled "What "Took Me To Church", "Sang", "Went In" And Other Black (African American) Church Words & Phrases Mean, Part II" http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/09/what-took-me-to-church-sang-went-in-and_1.html. Part II provides definitions for terms that begin with the letter M-Z.
"[in reference to Gospel singing or speaking about some emotive subject] the performance was so spirit filled -in the positive, religious meaning of that term- that while listening to it the person was touched by the Holy Spirit. People who feel the Holy Spirit behave in ways that are outside of their control. For example, they may weep, shout (get happy i.e. go in, do the Holy dance), testify about God's grace, speak in tongues etc.)
Similarly, "almost took me to church" means that the performance is reminiscent of church services that were/are full of the Holy Spirit"
-snip-
Another way of saying the same thing is "I almost went to church" [when I was listening to this song].
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/09/what-took-me-to-church-sang-went-in-and.html for a 2018 pancocojams post entitled "What "Took Me To Church", "Sang", "Went In" And Other Black (African American) Church Words & Phrases Mean, Part I". Part I provides definitions for terms that begin with the letter A-L.
****
Here are several comments from the discussion thread for another YouTube sound file of this song. (I chose the 2013 sound file because it included photographs of Clara Ward and of the Clara Ward Singers.)
Comments from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67fYJCXsWFQ
"Will The Circle Be Unbroken"- Clara Ward Singers
Rowoches, Published on Mar 21, 2009
1. Nando Jamal Wash, 2009
"I sung this today as the Processional song for a funeral....Lawd them Saints went "slap" in...."
-snip-
"went "slap" in" = The people in attendance at that funeral service (home going service) felt the Holy Spirit as a result of that rendition of that song so much so they that they experienced involuntary movements such as slapping themselves and others. [This probably was an exaggeration.]
A definition for "went in" is found after comment #6.
**
2. Rowoches, 2009
"I'm not listening to the actual recording right now, but if I can remember correctly, she said, "Pardon" "
**
REPLY
3. B R Jones, 2018
"will there be any PARTING when we reach that home above?"
**
4. Trevez Montgomery, 2009
"Yes Suh!!!"
**
5. Ephesians6:10-18, 2013
"SANG CLARA"
-snip-
"Sang" [in the context of this comment] is a present tense interjection that means "to sing very well, especially to sing soulfully very well".
**
6. Ephesians6:10-18, 2013
"GOT ME SHOUTIN ON THE OTHER half of the song"
-snip-
I think "the other half of the song" means the part when the tempo increased.
"Shouting" [in the context of this comment] means to "feel the [Holy] Spirit". Two other ways of saying that is "to go in"; or "to get happy".
**
7. Rowoches, 2013
"Clara Thomas was the first lead on "In The Morning". She was a former member of the Gospel Pearls (Bessie Griffin). This is Clara Ward leading "Will The Circle Be Unbroken." "
**
8. Rowoches, 2013
"Go'head, Go'head!!"
**
9. Alan Hudson, 2014
"My Lord Clara sannng that song...she got me I almost went in went she said "Lawd have mercy"@3:30 that was getting to good to her spirit a reassurance that the circle will never be unbroken"
-snip-
Notice the on purpose use of down home (old time Southern) African American Vernacular English (for instance, . "Lawd" instead of "Lord" and "Yes Suh" instead of "Yes Sir".
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Monday, December 3, 2018
Clara Ward And The Clara Ward Singers - "Hold Back The Tears" (Gospel sound file and lyrics)
Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post provides information about Gospel singer Clara Ward and The Clara Ward Singers.
This post also showcases a sound file of the Gospel song "Hold Back The Tears" as sung by Clara Ward and The Clara Ward Singers. My transcription of this song is included in this post. Additions and corrections of this song are welcome.
The content of this post is presented for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Clara Ward and The Clara Ward Singers for their musical legacy. Thanks also to all who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this sound file on YouTube.
****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLE: Clara Ward & The Ward Singers - HOLD BACK THE TEARS
Joe Guarino, Published on Jul 7, 2015
A good old fashioned Ward song; You can tell Sister Clara wrote those words with such conviction.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT CLARA WARD & THE CLARA WARD SINGERS
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clara_Ward
"Clara Mae Ward[1] (April 21, 1924 – January 16, 1973)[4][5] was an American gospel artist who achieved great artistic and commercial success during the 1940s and 1950s, as leader of The Famous Ward Singers. A gifted singer and arranger, Ward adopted the lead-switching style, previously used primarily by male gospel quartets, creating opportunities for spontaneous improvisation and vamping by each member of the group, while giving virtuoso singers such as Marion Williams the opportunity to perform the lead vocal in songs such as "Surely, God Is Able" (among the first million-selling gospel hits), "How I Got Over" and "Packin' Up".
[...]
In 1963, Clara Ward was the second gospel singer to sing gospel songs on Broadway in Langston Hughes' play Tambourines To Glory(The first being her former group members, which were known as the Stars of Faith, which starred Langston Hughes in the first Gospel stage play and first play that featured an all black cast to be produced on Broadway, The Black Nativity.). She was also the play's musical director.
1953–1972: The Clara Ward Singers
Ward was the first gospel singer to sing with a 100-piece symphony orchestra in the 1960s. The Clara Ward Singers recorded an album together on the Verve label, V-5019, The Heart, The Faith, The Soul of Clara Ward, and the Ward Singers performed their music live in Philadelphia with the city's Symphony and the Golden Voices Ensemble. Ward sang backup for pop artists with her sister Willa's background group, most notably on Dee Dee Sharp's hit, "Mashed Potato Time", which reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962. In 1969, Ward recorded an album for Capitol Records, Soul and Inspiration, consisting of pop songs from Broadway plays, Hollywood movies….
[...]
The Clara Ward Singers toured in Australia, Japan, Europe, Indonesia, and Thailand during the late-1960s through the early-1970s. They had a one-day TV special in London, England. They were in constant demand on American television programs and appeared on The Mike Douglas Show over a dozen times. They appeared on Oral Roberts' Country Roads TV special, later released as a soundtrack album. Clara continued to perform at her mother's church, the Miracle Temple of Faith for All People in Los Angeles, California, as well as at Victory Baptist Church. Her mother, Gertrude Ward, also had a popular religious radio program in the Los Angeles market.
[...]
In 1977, Ward was honored posthumously at the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York City and her surviving sister, Willa, accepted the award in her honor. In July 1998, in recognition of her status, the United States Postal Service issued a 32-cent stamp with her image. The stamp can still be purchased with a CD and other gospel singers' stamps online.[7] Ward's beautiful alto (with a distinctly nasal tone) in gospel songs and the Methodist hymns of the 18th century continues to delight music lovers.[citation needed] She had a marked influence on later singers, such as her protegee Aretha Franklin, who adopted her moan for secular songs and who saluted Ward in Amazing Grace, the gospel album she made with James Cleveland in the early 1970s.
****
LYRICS- HOLD BACK THE TEARS*
(Clara Ward)
Chorus
Children hold
[hold back, hold back the tears]
My God knows
[God knows how much you can bear]
Look to the heavens
[Look to the heavenly hills]
Oh yeah, and hold
[Hold back the tears]
Oh, hold
[Hold back, hold back the tears]
My God knows
[God knows how much you can bear]
Look to the heavens
[Look to the heavenly hills]
Yeah, and hold
[Hold back the tears]
Verse #1
I wandered when walking home one day
[Hallelujah]
I let Satan have his way
[Hallelujah]
I laid all night in the arms of sin
[humming]
till five and the misery ends
[Oooh! Ahh!]
Well, I looked like justice day
{Group hums or continues with similar refrain after soloist’s line until the end of verse]
I didn’t have a friend to pray
I fell on my knees crying “Lord”, oh
Hold back the tears
Chorus
Well, well hold
[Hold back, hold back the tears]
etc.
Verse #2
My sins became tears of love
[Hallelujah]
Washed my skin as white as snow
[Hallelujah]
I readied my feet on the Jericho road
[group hums or continues with similar refrain after soloist’s line until the end of this verse]
And I’ll never turn back no more
Oh! He heard my pleas and led me out
And now I know how to sing and shout
I’ll tell the story here and at the end
And I’ll hold back the tears
Chorus
-snip-
I attempted this transcription of the Clara Ward Singer's Gospel song "Hold Back The Night" because I couldn't find the lyrics online. However, I'm not sure about the accuracy of my transcriptions for the verses. Please add additions and/or corrections to this transcription in the comment section below. Thanks!
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This pancocojams post provides information about Gospel singer Clara Ward and The Clara Ward Singers.
This post also showcases a sound file of the Gospel song "Hold Back The Tears" as sung by Clara Ward and The Clara Ward Singers. My transcription of this song is included in this post. Additions and corrections of this song are welcome.
The content of this post is presented for religious, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Clara Ward and The Clara Ward Singers for their musical legacy. Thanks also to all who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this sound file on YouTube.
****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLE: Clara Ward & The Ward Singers - HOLD BACK THE TEARS
Joe Guarino, Published on Jul 7, 2015
A good old fashioned Ward song; You can tell Sister Clara wrote those words with such conviction.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT CLARA WARD & THE CLARA WARD SINGERS
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clara_Ward
"Clara Mae Ward[1] (April 21, 1924 – January 16, 1973)[4][5] was an American gospel artist who achieved great artistic and commercial success during the 1940s and 1950s, as leader of The Famous Ward Singers. A gifted singer and arranger, Ward adopted the lead-switching style, previously used primarily by male gospel quartets, creating opportunities for spontaneous improvisation and vamping by each member of the group, while giving virtuoso singers such as Marion Williams the opportunity to perform the lead vocal in songs such as "Surely, God Is Able" (among the first million-selling gospel hits), "How I Got Over" and "Packin' Up".
[...]
In 1963, Clara Ward was the second gospel singer to sing gospel songs on Broadway in Langston Hughes' play Tambourines To Glory(The first being her former group members, which were known as the Stars of Faith, which starred Langston Hughes in the first Gospel stage play and first play that featured an all black cast to be produced on Broadway, The Black Nativity.). She was also the play's musical director.
1953–1972: The Clara Ward Singers
Ward was the first gospel singer to sing with a 100-piece symphony orchestra in the 1960s. The Clara Ward Singers recorded an album together on the Verve label, V-5019, The Heart, The Faith, The Soul of Clara Ward, and the Ward Singers performed their music live in Philadelphia with the city's Symphony and the Golden Voices Ensemble. Ward sang backup for pop artists with her sister Willa's background group, most notably on Dee Dee Sharp's hit, "Mashed Potato Time", which reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962. In 1969, Ward recorded an album for Capitol Records, Soul and Inspiration, consisting of pop songs from Broadway plays, Hollywood movies….
[...]
The Clara Ward Singers toured in Australia, Japan, Europe, Indonesia, and Thailand during the late-1960s through the early-1970s. They had a one-day TV special in London, England. They were in constant demand on American television programs and appeared on The Mike Douglas Show over a dozen times. They appeared on Oral Roberts' Country Roads TV special, later released as a soundtrack album. Clara continued to perform at her mother's church, the Miracle Temple of Faith for All People in Los Angeles, California, as well as at Victory Baptist Church. Her mother, Gertrude Ward, also had a popular religious radio program in the Los Angeles market.
[...]
In 1977, Ward was honored posthumously at the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York City and her surviving sister, Willa, accepted the award in her honor. In July 1998, in recognition of her status, the United States Postal Service issued a 32-cent stamp with her image. The stamp can still be purchased with a CD and other gospel singers' stamps online.[7] Ward's beautiful alto (with a distinctly nasal tone) in gospel songs and the Methodist hymns of the 18th century continues to delight music lovers.[citation needed] She had a marked influence on later singers, such as her protegee Aretha Franklin, who adopted her moan for secular songs and who saluted Ward in Amazing Grace, the gospel album she made with James Cleveland in the early 1970s.
****
LYRICS- HOLD BACK THE TEARS*
(Clara Ward)
Chorus
Children hold
[hold back, hold back the tears]
My God knows
[God knows how much you can bear]
Look to the heavens
[Look to the heavenly hills]
Oh yeah, and hold
[Hold back the tears]
Oh, hold
[Hold back, hold back the tears]
My God knows
[God knows how much you can bear]
Look to the heavens
[Look to the heavenly hills]
Yeah, and hold
[Hold back the tears]
Verse #1
I wandered when walking home one day
[Hallelujah]
I let Satan have his way
[Hallelujah]
I laid all night in the arms of sin
[humming]
till five and the misery ends
[Oooh! Ahh!]
Well, I looked like justice day
{Group hums or continues with similar refrain after soloist’s line until the end of verse]
I didn’t have a friend to pray
I fell on my knees crying “Lord”, oh
Hold back the tears
Chorus
Well, well hold
[Hold back, hold back the tears]
etc.
Verse #2
My sins became tears of love
[Hallelujah]
Washed my skin as white as snow
[Hallelujah]
I readied my feet on the Jericho road
[group hums or continues with similar refrain after soloist’s line until the end of this verse]
And I’ll never turn back no more
Oh! He heard my pleas and led me out
And now I know how to sing and shout
I’ll tell the story here and at the end
And I’ll hold back the tears
Chorus
-snip-
I attempted this transcription of the Clara Ward Singer's Gospel song "Hold Back The Night" because I couldn't find the lyrics online. However, I'm not sure about the accuracy of my transcriptions for the verses. Please add additions and/or corrections to this transcription in the comment section below. Thanks!
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Sunday, May 31, 2015
Gospel Classics: Clara Ward Singers - "Packing Up "(information, lyrics, videos, comments)
Edited by Azzi Powell
This is an updated version of a 2013 pancocojams post about this Gospel song.
This post showcases five video examples of the Gospel song "Packin' Up" (also known as "Packing Up Getting Ready To Go"). Four of these videos feature the Clara Ward Singers and one video features Marion Williams & the Stars Of Faith singing "Packin' Up". Marion Williams is the soloist in all of these examples.
In addition to the videos, information about the Clara Ward Singers, song lyrics, and selected comments from some of these videos' discussion threads are also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for religious and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Clara Ward for composing "Packin Up" and thanks to the musical legacy of the Clara Ward Singers and the Stars Of Faith singers. Thanks also to all those quoted in this post, and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE CLARA WARD SINGERS
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clara_Ward
"Clara Ward (April 21, 1924 – January 16, 1973)[1][2] was an American gospel artist who achieved great artistic and commercial success in the 1940s and 1950s, as leader of The Famous Ward Singers.
A gifted singer and arranger, Ward adopted the lead-switching style, previously used primarily by male gospel quartets, creating opportunities for spontaneous improvisation and vamping by each member of the group, while giving virtuoso singers such as Marion Williams the opportunity to perform the lead vocal in songs such as "Surely, God Is Able" (among the first million-selling gospel hits), "How I Got Over" (composed by Williams, and one of the most famous songs in the Black gospel repertoire), and "Packin' Up".
Clara Ward's mother, Gertrude Ward (1901–1981), founded the Ward Singers in 1931 as a family group, then called, variously, The Consecrated Gospel Singers or The Ward Trio, consisting of herself, her youngest daughter Clara, and her elder daughter, Willarene ("Willa").
Clara Ward recorded her first solo song in 1940, and continued accompanying the Ward Gospel Trio, thereafter.
The Ward Singers began touring nationally in 1943, following a memorable appearance at the National Baptist Convention held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, earlier that year. Henrietta Waddy joined the group in 1947, after Willa Ward retired. Waddy brought to the group a "rougher" alto sound and the enthusiastic stage manners learned from her South Carolina church background. The group's performance style, such as the mimed packing of suitcases as part of the song "Packin' Up", condemned by some gospel music purists as "clowning", was wildly popular with their audiences.
The addition of Marion Williams, who arose of the Miami, Florida Pentecostal tradition brought to the group a powerful singer with a preternaturally broad range, able to reach the highest registers of the soprano range without losing either purity or volume, with the added ability to descend "growling low notes" in the style of a country preacher. Williams' singing style helped make the group nationally popular when they began recording in 1948."
****
From Google Books The Golden Age of Gospel By Horace Clarence Boyer, p. 232
"Each of the five women [who were members of the Clara Ward Singers] was a powerful soloists, but none had the voice of [Marion] Williams, and none could weave a musical spell like she could. One of their most successful recordings was a remake of the Clara Ward song "Packing Up". The song deals with the preparation for meeting Jesus, and in performance, Williams would walk through the audience collecting as many as twenty purses. On her way back to the stage she would return each purse to their rightful owners to the amazement and delight of the audience."
****
LYRICS: PACKIN' UP
(Clara Ward)
Chorus:
I am on my way to new Jerusalem,
where the sun will never go down.
Everyday I'm making preparations,
gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go;
I'm packing up, gettin' ready to go.
Verse 1:
Gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go.
Gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go.
Got my sword, Got my shield
got my ticket, Signed and sealed
gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go;
I'm packing up, gettin' ready to go.
Verse 2:
Gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go.
Gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go.
When the wheel begins to turn,
and the fire begins to burn;
gettin' ready to go
gettin' ready to go,
I'm packing up gettin' ready to go.
Bridge:
Packing, packing,
yes, I'm packing.
Vamp 1:
Packing up, packing up.
(repeat as desired)
Gettin' ready to go
gettin' ready to go,
I'm packing up gettin' ready to go.
Bridge
Vamp 2:
Packing up,
gettin' ready to go.
(repeat as desired)
Gettin' ready to go
gettin' ready to go,
I'm packing up gettin' ready to go.
Vamp 3:
Packing up,
I'm packing up.
Source: http://www.music-lyrics-gospel.com/gospel_music_lyrics/packing_up_13541.asp
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
These examples are presented in chronological order based on their posting date with the oldest date given first.
Example #1: Clara Ward Singers- Packin Up
DaSourcespr06·Uploaded on May 7, 2008
The original version of the song "Packing Up", feat. Marion Williams, 1958.
-snip-
Selected comments:
Jeff H, 2008
"Amen! This is a gospel music classic!"
**
joko9395, 2008
"One of our choir directors used to play for them and he said when they started singing about packin up they broke out with suitcases."
**
blessedover, 2008
"she would take anything she could get her hands on and be hitting high notes all over the church for about a whole minute and when I say hit every note right my Lord"
**
DYNODRUM, 2008
"Thankyou: Love these post .Great stuff -but have to say -LITTLE RICHARD got his HIGH NOTES from here......."
**
TheSoulman44, 2011
Reply
"yes little richard always acknowledged marion williams for that high note . i saw him on the kennedy honors telling her that in tribute to her"
**
77miracles, 2009
"Clara always made such good studio recordings that had that "live" feel to them, when Marion would sing this live, she would basically try to copy this studio recording~~and of course, grab a woman's purse and run down the aisle with it packing it like a suitcase!"
**
George Graves, 2009
"Having seen All and I do mean ALL of the gospel greats perform from James Cleveland, Alex Bradford, The Davis Sisters, The Caravans, The Harmonettes, The Ward Singers, The Stars of Faith,The Raspberry Singers,Andrae Crouch, Walter Hawkins, Bobby Jones, Richard Smallwood, The Winans, BeBe & CeCe.and virtually all of the quartets, Clara Ward was #1 when it came to performing."
**
Gary Wood, 2010
"And not only are the women in white carrying their pursie books, the women seated have their hats on their heads and their pursie books in their laps. PRAISE GOD!!"
**
myneecee, 2010
..."in those days the centers and buildings blacks rented to have revivals and such, they couldn't use coat rooms or the other facilities that were extended to white patrons so everything you brought in with you , you also had to carry in hand.if you had noticed that was not a church.SORRY-ONE WHO KNOWS"
**
shannonluv112, 2012
"Yes, yes, yes!!! I can hear my late grandmother leading this and hitting those high notes on the church choir as a young girl down south. Those were the days! Oh, how I miss them!"
**
smcjones1978, 2012
"I just love these old songs!!!"
stars2luv, 2013
"Yeah!! Packin up to get to Canaan land! :)"
****
Example #2: Marion Williams and the Marion Williams Singers 1965 part 4
thejazzsingers, Uploaded on Apr 2, 2010
Traveling Shoes and Packing Up later more enjoy it !
****
Example #3: Marion Williams - Packing Up Mahalia Jackson tribute
blessedover, Published on Sep 11, 2012
carnegie hall [1975]
****
Example #4: Marion Williams "Packin' Up" - Hootenanny 1963
HistoricFilmsArchive, Published on Jan 18, 2013
The fabulous Marion Williams & the Stars of Faith perform an intensely lively version of "Packin' Up" on Hootenanny 1963.
****
Example #5: Marion Williams & Stars Of Faith - Packin' Up (Live)
MARIONWILLIAMSVEVO, Published on Sep 25, 2014
Music video by Marion Williams & Stars Of Faith performing Packin' Up (Live).
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This is an updated version of a 2013 pancocojams post about this Gospel song.
This post showcases five video examples of the Gospel song "Packin' Up" (also known as "Packing Up Getting Ready To Go"). Four of these videos feature the Clara Ward Singers and one video features Marion Williams & the Stars Of Faith singing "Packin' Up". Marion Williams is the soloist in all of these examples.
In addition to the videos, information about the Clara Ward Singers, song lyrics, and selected comments from some of these videos' discussion threads are also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for religious and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Clara Ward for composing "Packin Up" and thanks to the musical legacy of the Clara Ward Singers and the Stars Of Faith singers. Thanks also to all those quoted in this post, and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE CLARA WARD SINGERS
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clara_Ward
"Clara Ward (April 21, 1924 – January 16, 1973)[1][2] was an American gospel artist who achieved great artistic and commercial success in the 1940s and 1950s, as leader of The Famous Ward Singers.
A gifted singer and arranger, Ward adopted the lead-switching style, previously used primarily by male gospel quartets, creating opportunities for spontaneous improvisation and vamping by each member of the group, while giving virtuoso singers such as Marion Williams the opportunity to perform the lead vocal in songs such as "Surely, God Is Able" (among the first million-selling gospel hits), "How I Got Over" (composed by Williams, and one of the most famous songs in the Black gospel repertoire), and "Packin' Up".
Clara Ward's mother, Gertrude Ward (1901–1981), founded the Ward Singers in 1931 as a family group, then called, variously, The Consecrated Gospel Singers or The Ward Trio, consisting of herself, her youngest daughter Clara, and her elder daughter, Willarene ("Willa").
Clara Ward recorded her first solo song in 1940, and continued accompanying the Ward Gospel Trio, thereafter.
The Ward Singers began touring nationally in 1943, following a memorable appearance at the National Baptist Convention held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, earlier that year. Henrietta Waddy joined the group in 1947, after Willa Ward retired. Waddy brought to the group a "rougher" alto sound and the enthusiastic stage manners learned from her South Carolina church background. The group's performance style, such as the mimed packing of suitcases as part of the song "Packin' Up", condemned by some gospel music purists as "clowning", was wildly popular with their audiences.
The addition of Marion Williams, who arose of the Miami, Florida Pentecostal tradition brought to the group a powerful singer with a preternaturally broad range, able to reach the highest registers of the soprano range without losing either purity or volume, with the added ability to descend "growling low notes" in the style of a country preacher. Williams' singing style helped make the group nationally popular when they began recording in 1948."
****
From Google Books The Golden Age of Gospel By Horace Clarence Boyer, p. 232
"Each of the five women [who were members of the Clara Ward Singers] was a powerful soloists, but none had the voice of [Marion] Williams, and none could weave a musical spell like she could. One of their most successful recordings was a remake of the Clara Ward song "Packing Up". The song deals with the preparation for meeting Jesus, and in performance, Williams would walk through the audience collecting as many as twenty purses. On her way back to the stage she would return each purse to their rightful owners to the amazement and delight of the audience."
****
LYRICS: PACKIN' UP
(Clara Ward)
Chorus:
I am on my way to new Jerusalem,
where the sun will never go down.
Everyday I'm making preparations,
gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go;
I'm packing up, gettin' ready to go.
Verse 1:
Gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go.
Gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go.
Got my sword, Got my shield
got my ticket, Signed and sealed
gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go;
I'm packing up, gettin' ready to go.
Verse 2:
Gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go.
Gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go,
gettin' ready to go.
When the wheel begins to turn,
and the fire begins to burn;
gettin' ready to go
gettin' ready to go,
I'm packing up gettin' ready to go.
Bridge:
Packing, packing,
yes, I'm packing.
Vamp 1:
Packing up, packing up.
(repeat as desired)
Gettin' ready to go
gettin' ready to go,
I'm packing up gettin' ready to go.
Bridge
Vamp 2:
Packing up,
gettin' ready to go.
(repeat as desired)
Gettin' ready to go
gettin' ready to go,
I'm packing up gettin' ready to go.
Vamp 3:
Packing up,
I'm packing up.
Source: http://www.music-lyrics-gospel.com/gospel_music_lyrics/packing_up_13541.asp
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
These examples are presented in chronological order based on their posting date with the oldest date given first.
Example #1: Clara Ward Singers- Packin Up
DaSourcespr06·Uploaded on May 7, 2008
The original version of the song "Packing Up", feat. Marion Williams, 1958.
-snip-
Selected comments:
Jeff H, 2008
"Amen! This is a gospel music classic!"
**
joko9395, 2008
"One of our choir directors used to play for them and he said when they started singing about packin up they broke out with suitcases."
**
blessedover, 2008
"she would take anything she could get her hands on and be hitting high notes all over the church for about a whole minute and when I say hit every note right my Lord"
**
DYNODRUM, 2008
"Thankyou: Love these post .Great stuff -but have to say -LITTLE RICHARD got his HIGH NOTES from here......."
**
TheSoulman44, 2011
Reply
"yes little richard always acknowledged marion williams for that high note . i saw him on the kennedy honors telling her that in tribute to her"
**
77miracles, 2009
"Clara always made such good studio recordings that had that "live" feel to them, when Marion would sing this live, she would basically try to copy this studio recording~~and of course, grab a woman's purse and run down the aisle with it packing it like a suitcase!"
**
George Graves, 2009
"Having seen All and I do mean ALL of the gospel greats perform from James Cleveland, Alex Bradford, The Davis Sisters, The Caravans, The Harmonettes, The Ward Singers, The Stars of Faith,The Raspberry Singers,Andrae Crouch, Walter Hawkins, Bobby Jones, Richard Smallwood, The Winans, BeBe & CeCe.and virtually all of the quartets, Clara Ward was #1 when it came to performing."
**
Gary Wood, 2010
"And not only are the women in white carrying their pursie books, the women seated have their hats on their heads and their pursie books in their laps. PRAISE GOD!!"
**
myneecee, 2010
..."in those days the centers and buildings blacks rented to have revivals and such, they couldn't use coat rooms or the other facilities that were extended to white patrons so everything you brought in with you , you also had to carry in hand.if you had noticed that was not a church.SORRY-ONE WHO KNOWS"
**
shannonluv112, 2012
"Yes, yes, yes!!! I can hear my late grandmother leading this and hitting those high notes on the church choir as a young girl down south. Those were the days! Oh, how I miss them!"
**
smcjones1978, 2012
"I just love these old songs!!!"
stars2luv, 2013
"Yeah!! Packin up to get to Canaan land! :)"
****
Example #2: Marion Williams and the Marion Williams Singers 1965 part 4
thejazzsingers, Uploaded on Apr 2, 2010
Traveling Shoes and Packing Up later more enjoy it !
****
Example #3: Marion Williams - Packing Up Mahalia Jackson tribute
blessedover, Published on Sep 11, 2012
carnegie hall [1975]
****
Example #4: Marion Williams "Packin' Up" - Hootenanny 1963
HistoricFilmsArchive, Published on Jan 18, 2013
The fabulous Marion Williams & the Stars of Faith perform an intensely lively version of "Packin' Up" on Hootenanny 1963.
****
Example #5: Marion Williams & Stars Of Faith - Packin' Up (Live)
MARIONWILLIAMSVEVO, Published on Sep 25, 2014
Music video by Marion Williams & Stars Of Faith performing Packin' Up (Live).
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Thomas A. Dorsey, The REAL Composer Of "Peace In The Valley" (with eight YouTube examples of that song)
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post corrects mistatements found online that indicate that the composer of the religious song "Peace In The Valley" was Elvis Presly or Rosanne Cash. The REAL composer of that song was African American Blues/Gospel musician & composer Thomas A. Dorsey.
This post provides information about Thomas A. Dorsey, song lyrics for "Peace In The Valley", and eight YouTube examples of that song. The majority of these examples are by African American Gospel singers (Thomas A. Dorsey with R.H. Harris, Clara Ward, Little Richard, Mahalia Jackson, andSister Rosetta Tharpe. One example is by White American country singer Red Foley, one is by White American Rock & Roll, Gospel, Country singer Elvis Presley, and one is by the integrated vocal group, Gaither Vocal Band.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, religious, and aesthetic reasons.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Thomas Dorsey and all other featured vocalists for their musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THOMAS A. DORSEY, THE COMPOSER OF "PEACE IN THE VALLEY"
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_A._Dorsey
"Thomas Andrew Dorsey (July 1, 1899 – January 23, 1993) was known as "the father of black gospel music" and was at one time so closely associated with the field that songs written in the new style were sometimes known as "dorseys."[2] Earlier in his life he was a leading blues pianist known as Georgia Tom. As formulated by Dorsey, gospel music combines Christian praise with the rhythms of jazz and the blues. His conception also deviates from what had been, to that time, standard hymnal practice by referring explicitly to the self, and the self's relation to faith and God, rather than the individual subsumed into the group via belief...
As Georgia Tom, he teamed up with Tampa Red (Hudson Whittaker) with whom he recorded the raunchy 1928 hit record "Tight Like That", a sensation, eventually selling seven million copies.[3] In all, he is credited with more than 400 blues and jazz songs. Dorsey began recording gospel music alongside blues in the mid-1920s. This led to his performing at the National Baptist Convention in 1930, and becoming the bandleader of two churches in the early 1930s.[4]
His first wife, Nettie... died in childbirth in 1932. Two days later the child, a son, also died. In his grief, he wrote his most famous song, one of the most famous of all gospel songs, "Precious Lord, Take My Hand".[5] Unhappy with the treatment received at the hands of established publishers, Dorsey opened the first black gospel music publishing company, Dorsey House of Music. He also founded his own gospel choir and was a founder and first president of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses...
Dorsey wrote "Peace in the Valley" for Mahalia Jackson in 1937, which also became a gospel standard. He was the first African American elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and also the first in the Gospel Music Association's Living Hall of Fame."...
****
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_in_the_Valley
"Peace in the Valley" is a 1937 song written by Thomas A. Dorsey, originally for Mahalia Jackson.[1] The song became a hit in 1951 for Red Foley and the Sunshine Boys, reaching No. 7 on the Country & Western Best Seller chart.[2] It was among the first gospel recordings to sell one million copies. Foley's version was a 2006 entry into the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry.[3]
After the success of Red Foley's interpretation, Jo Stafford recorded the song for her 1954 gospel album Garden of Prayer. Because of the rendition by Elvis Presley (with backing by the Jordanaires on his first Christmas album) in 1957 the song forever became a country-pop favorite."...
****
LYRICS: PEACE IN THE VALLEY
(Thomas A. Dorsey)
Oh well, I'm tired and so weary
But I must go alone
Till the lord comes and calls, calls me away, oh yes
Well the morning's so bright
And the lamp is alight
And the night, night is as black as the sea, oh yes
There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow
No trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me
Well the bear will be gentle
And the wolves will be tame
And the lion shall lay down by the lamb, oh yes
And the beasts from the wild
Shall be lit by a child
And I'll be changed, changed from this creature that I am, oh yes
There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow
No trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me
Source: Google Lyrics: Peace In The Valley
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
These examples are presented in chronological order based on their publishing date, with the oldest dated example given first.
Example #1: Red Foley - Peace In The Valley
spellerine, Uploaded on Jul 4, 2009
Sacred song later recorded by Elvis Presley. On listening to this version, I believe this was the recording that Elvis based his own on. They are very similar sounding, right down to the phrasings and background singers!
****
Example #2: Peace In The Valley - Sister Rosetta Tharpe, "The Great Gospel Women"
Pannellctp Traditional Gospel Music, Uploaded on Nov 14, 2011
Original Release Date: June 30, 1993. Recorded between 1948 and 1991.
The Great Gospel Women, Shanachie 6004 (USA).
-snip-
Selected comment:
MrTheOneAndOnly83, 2013
"The Anita Kerr singers are the backing vocals."
****
Example #3: Little Richard - Peace in the Valley.mpg
ThomShelford Published on Mar 17, 2012
Little Richard in great vocal mode - an updated video with more suitable photos!
****
Example #4: Peace In The Valley-Clara Ward
tinascaravans, Published on Sep 22, 2012
Gospel classics are songs that are special, they've been around for a long time. We all know them word for word, love them; they have a special meaning in our lives, and they will never be forgotten.
-snip-
Commenters in this sound file’s discussion thread wrote that this song was recorded in the 1970s, “in Clara Ward’s heyday” [when her popularity was at its highest point].
****
Example #5: Originals and inspirations of Elvis' songs-Vol.9-(There'll Be)Peace In The Valley (For Me)
Pueni66, Published on Dec 21, 2012
Mahalia Jackson-(There'll Be)Peace In The Valley(For Me)-1937
Although this is the original version the 1951 version of Red Foley probably was the inspiration for Elvis
****
Example #6: (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley - Thomas A. Dorsey with R.H. Harris
Pannellctp Traditional Gospel Music, Published on Jan 7, 2013
-snip-
According to a commenter on this sound file's discussion thread, this rendition of "Peace In The Valley" was recorded in 1973.
****
Example #7: Vintage Performance of Elvis Presley Singing Gospel Peace in the Valley
flash91214 Published on Jan 23, 2014
****
Example #8: Gaither Vocal Band - Peace In The Valley (Live)
GaitherVEVO Published on Mar 17, 2015
-snip-
According to a commenter on this video's discussion thread, the soloist's name is Todd Suttles.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post corrects mistatements found online that indicate that the composer of the religious song "Peace In The Valley" was Elvis Presly or Rosanne Cash. The REAL composer of that song was African American Blues/Gospel musician & composer Thomas A. Dorsey.
This post provides information about Thomas A. Dorsey, song lyrics for "Peace In The Valley", and eight YouTube examples of that song. The majority of these examples are by African American Gospel singers (Thomas A. Dorsey with R.H. Harris, Clara Ward, Little Richard, Mahalia Jackson, andSister Rosetta Tharpe. One example is by White American country singer Red Foley, one is by White American Rock & Roll, Gospel, Country singer Elvis Presley, and one is by the integrated vocal group, Gaither Vocal Band.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, religious, and aesthetic reasons.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to Thomas Dorsey and all other featured vocalists for their musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THOMAS A. DORSEY, THE COMPOSER OF "PEACE IN THE VALLEY"
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_A._Dorsey
"Thomas Andrew Dorsey (July 1, 1899 – January 23, 1993) was known as "the father of black gospel music" and was at one time so closely associated with the field that songs written in the new style were sometimes known as "dorseys."[2] Earlier in his life he was a leading blues pianist known as Georgia Tom. As formulated by Dorsey, gospel music combines Christian praise with the rhythms of jazz and the blues. His conception also deviates from what had been, to that time, standard hymnal practice by referring explicitly to the self, and the self's relation to faith and God, rather than the individual subsumed into the group via belief...
As Georgia Tom, he teamed up with Tampa Red (Hudson Whittaker) with whom he recorded the raunchy 1928 hit record "Tight Like That", a sensation, eventually selling seven million copies.[3] In all, he is credited with more than 400 blues and jazz songs. Dorsey began recording gospel music alongside blues in the mid-1920s. This led to his performing at the National Baptist Convention in 1930, and becoming the bandleader of two churches in the early 1930s.[4]
His first wife, Nettie... died in childbirth in 1932. Two days later the child, a son, also died. In his grief, he wrote his most famous song, one of the most famous of all gospel songs, "Precious Lord, Take My Hand".[5] Unhappy with the treatment received at the hands of established publishers, Dorsey opened the first black gospel music publishing company, Dorsey House of Music. He also founded his own gospel choir and was a founder and first president of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses...
Dorsey wrote "Peace in the Valley" for Mahalia Jackson in 1937, which also became a gospel standard. He was the first African American elected to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and also the first in the Gospel Music Association's Living Hall of Fame."...
****
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_in_the_Valley
"Peace in the Valley" is a 1937 song written by Thomas A. Dorsey, originally for Mahalia Jackson.[1] The song became a hit in 1951 for Red Foley and the Sunshine Boys, reaching No. 7 on the Country & Western Best Seller chart.[2] It was among the first gospel recordings to sell one million copies. Foley's version was a 2006 entry into the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry.[3]
After the success of Red Foley's interpretation, Jo Stafford recorded the song for her 1954 gospel album Garden of Prayer. Because of the rendition by Elvis Presley (with backing by the Jordanaires on his first Christmas album) in 1957 the song forever became a country-pop favorite."...
****
LYRICS: PEACE IN THE VALLEY
(Thomas A. Dorsey)
Oh well, I'm tired and so weary
But I must go alone
Till the lord comes and calls, calls me away, oh yes
Well the morning's so bright
And the lamp is alight
And the night, night is as black as the sea, oh yes
There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow
No trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me
Well the bear will be gentle
And the wolves will be tame
And the lion shall lay down by the lamb, oh yes
And the beasts from the wild
Shall be lit by a child
And I'll be changed, changed from this creature that I am, oh yes
There will be peace in the valley for me, some day
There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray
There'll be no sadness, no sorrow
No trouble, trouble I see
There will be peace in the valley for me, for me
Source: Google Lyrics: Peace In The Valley
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
These examples are presented in chronological order based on their publishing date, with the oldest dated example given first.
Example #1: Red Foley - Peace In The Valley
spellerine, Uploaded on Jul 4, 2009
Sacred song later recorded by Elvis Presley. On listening to this version, I believe this was the recording that Elvis based his own on. They are very similar sounding, right down to the phrasings and background singers!
****
Example #2: Peace In The Valley - Sister Rosetta Tharpe, "The Great Gospel Women"
Pannellctp Traditional Gospel Music, Uploaded on Nov 14, 2011
Original Release Date: June 30, 1993. Recorded between 1948 and 1991.
The Great Gospel Women, Shanachie 6004 (USA).
-snip-
Selected comment:
MrTheOneAndOnly83, 2013
"The Anita Kerr singers are the backing vocals."
****
Example #3: Little Richard - Peace in the Valley.mpg
ThomShelford Published on Mar 17, 2012
Little Richard in great vocal mode - an updated video with more suitable photos!
****
Example #4: Peace In The Valley-Clara Ward
tinascaravans, Published on Sep 22, 2012
Gospel classics are songs that are special, they've been around for a long time. We all know them word for word, love them; they have a special meaning in our lives, and they will never be forgotten.
-snip-
Commenters in this sound file’s discussion thread wrote that this song was recorded in the 1970s, “in Clara Ward’s heyday” [when her popularity was at its highest point].
****
Example #5: Originals and inspirations of Elvis' songs-Vol.9-(There'll Be)Peace In The Valley (For Me)
Pueni66, Published on Dec 21, 2012
Mahalia Jackson-(There'll Be)Peace In The Valley(For Me)-1937
Although this is the original version the 1951 version of Red Foley probably was the inspiration for Elvis
****
Example #6: (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley - Thomas A. Dorsey with R.H. Harris
Pannellctp Traditional Gospel Music, Published on Jan 7, 2013
-snip-
According to a commenter on this sound file's discussion thread, this rendition of "Peace In The Valley" was recorded in 1973.
****
Example #7: Vintage Performance of Elvis Presley Singing Gospel Peace in the Valley
flash91214 Published on Jan 23, 2014
****
Example #8: Gaither Vocal Band - Peace In The Valley (Live)
GaitherVEVO Published on Mar 17, 2015
-snip-
According to a commenter on this video's discussion thread, the soloist's name is Todd Suttles.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
Gospel & Jazz Examples Of "When The Saints Go Marching In"
Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post provides information about the song "When The Saints Go Marching In" and showcases two examples of Gospel versions and five examples of New Orleans Jazz versions of this song. This post also features an example of "When The Saints Go Marching In" as sung by R&B great James Brown.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, religious, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the composer/s of this song and thanks to all singers and musicians who are featured in these examples. Thanks also to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.
This post honors the fiftieth anniversary of "Bloody Sunday" March in Selma, Alabama.
Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selma_to_Montgomery_marches for information about that 1965 civil rights march.
Also, click http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/07/barack-obama-selma-anniversary_n_6823060.html amd http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/08/bloody-sunday-selma-march_n_6826932.html for information about the fiftieth anniversary march which was held March 7, 2015.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_the_Saints_Go_Marching_In
"When the Saints Go Marching In", often referred to as "The Saints", is an American gospel hymn. The precise origins of the song are not known. Though it originated as a Christian hymn, it is often played by jazz bands. This song was first recorded on May 13, 1938 by Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra.[1] The song is sometimes confused with a similarly titled composition "When the Saints are Marching In" from 1896 by Katharine Purvis (lyrics) and James Milton Black (music). Luther G. Presley,[3] who wrote the lyrics, and Virgil Oliver Stamps, who wrote the music, popularized the tune as a gospel song.[4] A similar version was copyrighted by R.E. Winsett.[5]
Although the song is still heard as a slow spiritual number, since the mid 20th century it has been more commonly performed as a "hot" number. The tune is particularly associated with the city of New Orleans. A jazz standard, it has been recorded by a great many jazz and pop artists.
Both vocal and instrumental renditions of the song abound. Louis Armstrong was one of the first to make the tune into a nationally known pop tune in the 1930s. Armstrong wrote that his sister told him she thought the secular performance style of the traditional church tune was inappropriate and irreligious. Armstrong was in a New Orleans tradition of turning church numbers into brass band and dance numbers that went back at least to Buddy Bolden's band at the start of the 20th century.
In New Orleans, the song is traditionally used as a funeral march at "jazz funerals". While accompanying the coffin to the cemetery, a band plays the tune as a dirge. Returning from the interment, the band switches to the familiar upbeat "hot" or "Dixieland" style of play.”...
Lyrics
As with many numbers with long traditional folk use, there is no one "official" version of the song or its lyrics...As for the lyrics themselves, their very simplicity makes it easy to generate new verses. Since the first, second, and fourth lines of a verse are exactly the same, and the third standard throughout, the creation of one suitable line in iambic tetrameter generates an entire verse.”
-snip-
Read the statements that I posted in the comment section below about the meaning of "iambic tetrameter".
Some common verses for Gospel & Jazz renditions of this song are:
1. When the saints go marching in...
2. When the sun refuse to shine...
3. When they crown Him Lord of Lords
-snip-
Him = Jesus
****
WHAT "SAINTS" MEAN IN THE SONG
From http://www.academia.edu/678234/Songs_of_Pentecost_Experiencing_music_transcendence_and_identity_in_Jamaica_and_Haiti, p. xii
"Among Pentecostal congregations, the term “saints” denotes those “believers who have professed Christ as their personal savior, been saved by His holy power, and now walk the‘set apart’ path of sanctification” (Hinson 2000, 2)."
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
With the exception of the two traditional Gospel examples, these videos are presented in chronological order based on their publishing dates on YouTube with the examples with the oldest dates presented earliest.
Example #1: "When The Saints Go Marching In" (1959) Famous Ward Singers
Gospel Nostalgia, Published on Apr 12, 2014
This is track 6 from the 1959 album "At The Apollo Theatre".
Clara Ward's mother, Gertrude Ward (1901--1981), founded the Ward Singers in 1931 as a family group, then called, variously, The Consecrated Gospel Singers or The Ward Trio, consisting of herself, her youngest daughter Clara, and her elder daughter, Willarene ("Willa"). Clara Ward recorded her first solo song in 1940, and continued accompanying the Ward Gospel Trio, thereafter.
The Ward Singers began touring nationally in 1943, following a memorable appearance at the National Baptist Convention held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, earlier that year. Henrietta Waddy joined the group in 1947, after Willa Ward retired. Waddy brought to the group a "rougher" alto sound and the enthusiastic stage manners learned from her South Carolina church background. The group's performance style, such as the mimed packing of suitcases as part of the song "Packin' Up", condemned by some gospel music purists as "clowning", was wildly popular with their audiences.
The addition of Marion Williams, who arose of the Miami, Florida Pentecostal tradition brought to the group a powerful singer with a preternaturally broad range, able to reach the highest registers of the soprano range without losing either purity or volume, with the added ability to descend "growling low notes" in the style of a country preacher. Williams' singing style helped make the group nationally popular when they began recording in 1948."...
****
Example #2: "When The Saints Go Marching In"- Clara Ward Singers
Rowoches. Published on Jul 25, 2012
*I don't have the copyrights to this video, but I have been given permission, by Willa Ward, to post.
The Clara Ward Singers in Antibes, France during the 1962 Antibes Jazz Festival. Clara Ward leads the group with "When The Saints Go Marching In."
****
Example #3: New Orleans Traditional Jazz - When the Saints Go Marching In!
New Orleans Traditional Jazz Uploaded on Nov 22, 2009
New Orleans Traditional Jazz Band performs the Saints Go Marching In Compton
****
Example #4: Fats Domino ( best of the bands ) Part 2 O when the Saints
thejazzsingers, Uploaded on Jan 1, 2011
Happy New Year Lets Party Fats and his Band !
****
Example #5: When the saints go marching in - James Brown
Eric Cajundelyon Uploaded on Aug 12, 2011
Classic Gospel cover by the Godfather of Soul himself...
****
Example #6: When The Saints Go Marching In - B.B. KIng
keithlee77, Uploaded on Sep 18, 2011
-snip-
female soloist-singer/actor Solange
male soloist - actor, singer Terrence Howard
****
Example #7: Louis Armstrong When the Saints Go Marching In, 1961
Владимир Тишин, Published on Sep 20, 2012
****
Example #8: When the saints go marching in - New Orleans street music
rumpustina, Published on Apr 1, 2013
that lady was GOOD
-snip-
Comment from that video's viewer comment thread identifying the female musician/singer:
Bui NYC, 2013
"Her name is Doreen Ketchens."
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This pancocojams post provides information about the song "When The Saints Go Marching In" and showcases two examples of Gospel versions and five examples of New Orleans Jazz versions of this song. This post also features an example of "When The Saints Go Marching In" as sung by R&B great James Brown.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, religious, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the composer/s of this song and thanks to all singers and musicians who are featured in these examples. Thanks also to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.
This post honors the fiftieth anniversary of "Bloody Sunday" March in Selma, Alabama.
Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selma_to_Montgomery_marches for information about that 1965 civil rights march.
Also, click http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/07/barack-obama-selma-anniversary_n_6823060.html amd http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/08/bloody-sunday-selma-march_n_6826932.html for information about the fiftieth anniversary march which was held March 7, 2015.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_the_Saints_Go_Marching_In
"When the Saints Go Marching In", often referred to as "The Saints", is an American gospel hymn. The precise origins of the song are not known. Though it originated as a Christian hymn, it is often played by jazz bands. This song was first recorded on May 13, 1938 by Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra.[1] The song is sometimes confused with a similarly titled composition "When the Saints are Marching In" from 1896 by Katharine Purvis (lyrics) and James Milton Black (music). Luther G. Presley,[3] who wrote the lyrics, and Virgil Oliver Stamps, who wrote the music, popularized the tune as a gospel song.[4] A similar version was copyrighted by R.E. Winsett.[5]
Although the song is still heard as a slow spiritual number, since the mid 20th century it has been more commonly performed as a "hot" number. The tune is particularly associated with the city of New Orleans. A jazz standard, it has been recorded by a great many jazz and pop artists.
Both vocal and instrumental renditions of the song abound. Louis Armstrong was one of the first to make the tune into a nationally known pop tune in the 1930s. Armstrong wrote that his sister told him she thought the secular performance style of the traditional church tune was inappropriate and irreligious. Armstrong was in a New Orleans tradition of turning church numbers into brass band and dance numbers that went back at least to Buddy Bolden's band at the start of the 20th century.
In New Orleans, the song is traditionally used as a funeral march at "jazz funerals". While accompanying the coffin to the cemetery, a band plays the tune as a dirge. Returning from the interment, the band switches to the familiar upbeat "hot" or "Dixieland" style of play.”...
Lyrics
As with many numbers with long traditional folk use, there is no one "official" version of the song or its lyrics...As for the lyrics themselves, their very simplicity makes it easy to generate new verses. Since the first, second, and fourth lines of a verse are exactly the same, and the third standard throughout, the creation of one suitable line in iambic tetrameter generates an entire verse.”
-snip-
Read the statements that I posted in the comment section below about the meaning of "iambic tetrameter".
Some common verses for Gospel & Jazz renditions of this song are:
1. When the saints go marching in...
2. When the sun refuse to shine...
3. When they crown Him Lord of Lords
-snip-
Him = Jesus
****
WHAT "SAINTS" MEAN IN THE SONG
From http://www.academia.edu/678234/Songs_of_Pentecost_Experiencing_music_transcendence_and_identity_in_Jamaica_and_Haiti, p. xii
"Among Pentecostal congregations, the term “saints” denotes those “believers who have professed Christ as their personal savior, been saved by His holy power, and now walk the‘set apart’ path of sanctification” (Hinson 2000, 2)."
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
With the exception of the two traditional Gospel examples, these videos are presented in chronological order based on their publishing dates on YouTube with the examples with the oldest dates presented earliest.
Example #1: "When The Saints Go Marching In" (1959) Famous Ward Singers
Gospel Nostalgia, Published on Apr 12, 2014
This is track 6 from the 1959 album "At The Apollo Theatre".
Clara Ward's mother, Gertrude Ward (1901--1981), founded the Ward Singers in 1931 as a family group, then called, variously, The Consecrated Gospel Singers or The Ward Trio, consisting of herself, her youngest daughter Clara, and her elder daughter, Willarene ("Willa"). Clara Ward recorded her first solo song in 1940, and continued accompanying the Ward Gospel Trio, thereafter.
The Ward Singers began touring nationally in 1943, following a memorable appearance at the National Baptist Convention held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, earlier that year. Henrietta Waddy joined the group in 1947, after Willa Ward retired. Waddy brought to the group a "rougher" alto sound and the enthusiastic stage manners learned from her South Carolina church background. The group's performance style, such as the mimed packing of suitcases as part of the song "Packin' Up", condemned by some gospel music purists as "clowning", was wildly popular with their audiences.
The addition of Marion Williams, who arose of the Miami, Florida Pentecostal tradition brought to the group a powerful singer with a preternaturally broad range, able to reach the highest registers of the soprano range without losing either purity or volume, with the added ability to descend "growling low notes" in the style of a country preacher. Williams' singing style helped make the group nationally popular when they began recording in 1948."...
****
Example #2: "When The Saints Go Marching In"- Clara Ward Singers
Rowoches. Published on Jul 25, 2012
*I don't have the copyrights to this video, but I have been given permission, by Willa Ward, to post.
The Clara Ward Singers in Antibes, France during the 1962 Antibes Jazz Festival. Clara Ward leads the group with "When The Saints Go Marching In."
****
Example #3: New Orleans Traditional Jazz - When the Saints Go Marching In!
New Orleans Traditional Jazz Uploaded on Nov 22, 2009
New Orleans Traditional Jazz Band performs the Saints Go Marching In Compton
****
Example #4: Fats Domino ( best of the bands ) Part 2 O when the Saints
thejazzsingers, Uploaded on Jan 1, 2011
Happy New Year Lets Party Fats and his Band !
****
Example #5: When the saints go marching in - James Brown
Eric Cajundelyon Uploaded on Aug 12, 2011
Classic Gospel cover by the Godfather of Soul himself...
****
Example #6: When The Saints Go Marching In - B.B. KIng
keithlee77, Uploaded on Sep 18, 2011
-snip-
female soloist-singer/actor Solange
male soloist - actor, singer Terrence Howard
****
Example #7: Louis Armstrong When the Saints Go Marching In, 1961
Владимир Тишин, Published on Sep 20, 2012
****
Example #8: When the saints go marching in - New Orleans street music
rumpustina, Published on Apr 1, 2013
that lady was GOOD
-snip-
Comment from that video's viewer comment thread identifying the female musician/singer:
Bui NYC, 2013
"Her name is Doreen Ketchens."
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
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