Edited by Azizi Powell
This post showcases seven songs by The Swan Silvertones Gospel quartet. Information about The Swan Silvertones is also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for religious, historical, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SWAN SILVERTONES
From https://sites.google.com/site/pittsburghmusichistory/pittsburgh-music-story/gospel/swan-silvertones
"The Swan Silvertones, one of the greatest Gospel groups of all time along with the Dixie Hummingbirds and the Soul Stirrers, made their home in Pittsburgh from the late 1940s through the 1960s. Over their thirty year career they were one of the most influential and revered vocal groups. Their uptempo jubilee shout style gospel music, rich harmonies, and lead falsetto influenced Doo Wop and R&B singers. They recorded for the King, Specialty, Vee-Jay, HOB, and Savoy labels releasing over sixty singles and several albums between 1946 and 1979. Their music has been reissued on ten Swan Silvertones compilations since their breakup. Their biggest hit "Oh Mary Don't You Weep" with the line "I'll be a bridge over deep water..." inspired Paul Simon to compose "Bridge Over Troubled Water". The Swan Silvertones were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002 and the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2003.
Claude Jeter, the lead singer and founder of the Swan Silvertones is credited for influencing the singing styles of Sam Cooke, Al Green, Smokey Robinson, Curtis Mayfield, Drifters founder Clyde McPhatter, and Eddie Kendricks. Jeter pioneered falsetto singing in African American music and is credited as the father of fallsetto.. His strong falsetto leads backed by three-part harmonies was adapted by Doo-wop and R&B groups. Jeter was elected into the American Gospel Quartet Convention Hall of Fame in 1996."...
-snip-
Additional information about The Swan Silvertones is found in the summary for Example #2 that is found below.
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
(These examples are presented in chronological order based on their posting date on YouTube, with the oldest dated videos given first. Information about the date of the performances or recordings are given for most of these examples.)
Example #1: Claude Jeter (Swan Silvertones) 1996 American Gospel Quartet Convention Hall of Fame Inductees
[Song: "Only Believe"]
AGQCGospel, Uploaded on Aug 6, 2008
In 1996 the definitive influence and the progenitor of the falsetto, the Legendary Claude Jeter (Swan Silvertones) was inducted into the AGQC American Gospel Quartet Convention Hall of Fame recognizing their music ministry for Jesus Christ. [film clip 1950s?]
****
Example #2: The Swan Silvertones - A Short History
ArtistIncorporated, Uploaded on Nov 18, 2008
The Swan Silvertones was a Gospel music group that achieved great popularity in the 1940s and 1950s while led by Claude Jeter, who formed the group in 1938 as the "Four Harmony Kings" while working as a coal miner in West Virginia. The group changed its name to the "Silvertone Singers" after moving to Knoxville, Tennessee and obtaining their own radio show in order to avoid confusion with another group known as the "Four Kings of Harmony".
They added the name Swan shortly thereafter since Swan Bakeries sponsored their show. Their wide exposure through radio brought them a contract with King Records.
At that point the Silvertones represented an amalgam of two styles: the close barbershop harmonies that they had featured when starting out in West Virginia and virtuoso leads supplied by Jeter and Solomon Womack.
The group later lost Womack, but added Paul Owens in 1952 and Louis Johnson in 1955. The three singers with their sharply contrasting styles — Jeter a tenor who could sing falsetto withut losing his lyric control, Owens a crooner and Johnson a hard shouter — played off each other to great effect in songs such as "Mary Don't You Weep".
The group recorded for Specialty Records from 1951 to 1955, when it switched to Vee-Jay Records. The group recorded one album with Hob Records after Vee-Jay shut down in 1965, at which point Jeter left the group for the ministry.
The Swan Silvertones were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002.
****
Example #3: He's Sweet, I Know
Swan Silvertones - Topic, Published on Jan 25, 2017
Provided to YouTube by Ingrooves
He's Sweet, I Know · The Swan Silvertones
Golden Gospel Classics: The Swan Silvertones
℗ 2014 Sonorous Entertainment LLC
Released on: 2017-01-27
Composer, Writer: John Henry Miles
-snip-
This sound file replaces the one that was originally embedded in this post that is no longer available.
****
Example #5: My Rock
Swan Silvertones - Topic, Published on Nov 5, 2014
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises
-snip-
This sound file replaces the one that was originally embedded in this post that is no longer available.
****
Example #5: Trouble in My Way
Swan Silvertones - Topic, Published on Nov 7, 2014
-snip-
This sound file replaces the one that was originally embedded in this post that is no longer available.
****
Example #6: The Swan Silvertones- Come To Jesus
.
soulfuljakazz07, Uploaded on Jul 19, 2011
Since I cannot even begin to describe the extraordinary beauty that is this performance, I won't. I'll just let it's dulcet tones take a direct & decisive route from your speakers to the deepest depths of your soul. From the 1964 Vee Jay LP, Let's Go To Church Together (VJLP/SR-5059). Featuring the one & only otherworldly falsetto of the late, great Claude Jeter.
****
Example #7: THE SWAN SILVERTONES-OH MARY DON'T YOU WEEP
Walter Robinson, Published on Aug 23, 2013
****
Thanks to The Swan Silvertones for their musical legacy. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube and thanks to those who I quoted in this post.
Thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Showing posts with label Gospel quartets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gospel quartets. Show all posts
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Seven Songs By The Dixie Hummingbirds Gospel Quartet
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post showcases seven songs by the Dixie Hummingbirds Gospel quartet. Information about The Dixie Hummingbirds is also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for religious, historical, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE DIXIE HUMMINGBIRDS
From
http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/dixie-hummingbirds-80-years-gospel-tradition
..."The Dixie Hummingbirds formed in the late 1920s in Greenville, S.C. In the beginning, they were young boys, members of the Church of God Holiness choir in Greenville's Meadow Bottoms neighborhood...First called the Junior Boys they were immersed in the Black American spiritual tradition of the times. "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Ezekiel Saw the Wheel," and "Old Black Joe" were part of their regular repertoire. When they started high school, they changed their name to the Sterling High School Quartet.
They took their first step toward a professional career after graduating at the annual national convention of the Church of God Holiness in Atlanta, and decided to take off from there. They emulated musical groups like the Golden Gate Quartet, the Southernaires, and the Heavenly Gospel Singers. The Dixie Hummingbirds made their first recordings in 1939... In 1942, the Dixie Hummingbirds moved to Philadelphia, and shortly after they had a regular show over WCAU radio and a long-term engagement at Cafe Society, a New York City nightclub, where they were billed as the Jericho Quartet.
The Hummingbirds' popularity began to grow as their harmonies became more sophisticated. Their virtuosity did not go unnoticed by audiences, and throughout the mid-1940s the group regularly played to packed houses throughout the south. In 1944, they recorded for the Regis and Manor labels, and later for the Apollo label in New York City. The group's personnel had again changed with Davis as the only original to remain.
In 1952, The Hummingbirds began recording for Peacock Records. For the next 24 years, the group would remain the same: Ira Tucker, James Walker, James Davis, Beachey Thompson, William Bobo, and Howard Carroll.
After earning a standing ovation for their performance at the 1966 Newport Folk Festival, they essentially retired from mainstream appearances to focus solely on the church circuit. They came back into popularity in 1973, backing Paul Simon on his pop smash "Loves Me Like a Rock." The death of Willie Bobo in 1976 "brought to a sad end a lengthy chapter of the Hummingbirds' history." After Davis retired in 1984, their current lineup included Ira Tucker, Paul Owens, Howard Carroll, Carl Davis, and William Bright.
Tucker continued leading the group at the 20th century's end, recruiting new blood to keep the Dixie Hummingbirds' spirit alive, celebrating their seventh decade with 1999's "Music in the Air: The 70th Anniversary All-Star Tribute." The Dixie Hummingbirds remain one of the leading gospel quartets on the road today.
The group now consists of Ira Tucker (lead vocals), William Bright (vocals), Carlton Lewis, III (vocals), Cornell Mcknight (bass), Torrey Nettles (drums/vocals), and Lyndon Baines Jones (guitar & vocals)."
****
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dixie_Hummingbirds
"Formed in 1928 in Greenville, South Carolina, by James B. Davis and his classmates, [The Dixie Hummingbirds] sang in local churches until they finished school, then started touring throughout the South.
Lead singer Ira Tucker joined the group in 1938 at age 13, and they signed with Decca Records. In addition to his formidable vocal skills, Tucker introduced the energetic showmanship - running through the aisles, jumping off stage, falling to his knees in prayer - copied by many quartets that followed. Tucker also took the lead in the stylistic innovations adopted by the group, combining gospel shouting and subtle melismas with the syncopated delivery made popular by The Golden Gate Quartet, as well as adventuresome harmonies, which the group called "trickeration", in which Paul Owens or another member of the group would pick up a note just as Tucker left off. The group relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the 1940s...
The Hummingbirds absorbed much from other artists as well, performing with Lester Young in the 1940s and sharing Django Reinhardt records with B.B. King in the 1950s. Tucker and the Hummingbirds inspired a number of imitators, such as Jackie Wilson and James Brown, who adapted the shouting style and enthusiastic showmanship of hard gospel to secular themes to help create soul music in the 1960s"...
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
(These examples are presented in chronological order based on their posting date on YouTube, with the oldest dated videos given first. Information about the date of the performances or recordings are given for most of these examples.)
Example #1: Dixie Hummingbirds 1983 Jesus Is Coming Soon
dshock11, Uploaded on Jul 22, 2007
Ira Tucker & The Dixie Hummingbirds sing "Jesus Is Coming Soon" on a 1983 episode of Gospel Variations. Enjoy!!
****
Example #2: Dixie Hummingbirds I've Got So Much To Shout About
Konrad Klingelfuss, Uploaded on Dec 27, 2007
Gospel
-snip-
Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O51fcTlw9p4 for a sound file of the Dixie Hummingbirds singing this song at the same venue: the 1966 Newport Jazz festivalHE NE
****
Example #3: Vintage" Dixie Hummingbirds - An AGQC 2004 Hall of Fame Inductee “Christian Automobile”
AGQCGospel,Uploaded on Aug 8, 2008
In 2004 The Dixie legendary Hummingbirds were inducted into American Gospel Quartet Hall of Fame Inductees recognizing their music ministry for Jesus Christ.
-snip-
The following comment was posted in response to the questions “What year was this [performance]?”
methu124, 2009
"Newport Jazz Festival, 1966 They were on a rotating program with the Swan Silvertones and Dorthy Love Coates' Gospel Harmonettes. After the "Birds" sang "I've Got So Much To Shout About" The audience wouldn't let them leave the stage for the next act. James B. Davis (barritone) had to convince the people to let the "Birds" go!"
****
Example #4: The Dixie Hummingbirds - Holding On
fableable57, Uploaded on Sep 12, 2008
Tribute
****
Example #5: Dixie Hummingbirds ---Swing Low Sweet Chariot
nipsipone, Uploaded on Jun 19, 2009
From A New York City Concert ---1991 ----Acapella--
Ira Tucker (lead vocals), William Bright (vocals), Carlton Lewis, III (vocals), Cornell Mcknight (bass vocals), Torrey Nettles (drums/vocals), Willie Coleman (bass guitar & vocals) and Lyndon Baines Jones (guitar & vocals).
****
Example #6: THE DIXIE HUMMINGBIRDS - MOVE UP A LITTLE HIGHER
Tjmministries T. Moore, Uploaded on Jan 10, 2010
GOTHAM LABEL
-snip-
A commenter wrote that this was from the late 1940s.
****
Example #7: Dixie Hummingbirds - Hold On.wmv
BevYoYummy, Uploaded on Mar 11, 2011
Live in Miami, Florida featuring: Ira Tucker, Sr., James Walker, Beachey Thompson, Paul Owens and Howard Carroll
****
Thanks to the Dixie Hummingbirds for their musical legacy. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube and thanks to those who I quoted in this post.
Thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post showcases seven songs by the Dixie Hummingbirds Gospel quartet. Information about The Dixie Hummingbirds is also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for religious, historical, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE DIXIE HUMMINGBIRDS
From
http://www.aaregistry.org/historic_events/view/dixie-hummingbirds-80-years-gospel-tradition
..."The Dixie Hummingbirds formed in the late 1920s in Greenville, S.C. In the beginning, they were young boys, members of the Church of God Holiness choir in Greenville's Meadow Bottoms neighborhood...First called the Junior Boys they were immersed in the Black American spiritual tradition of the times. "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Ezekiel Saw the Wheel," and "Old Black Joe" were part of their regular repertoire. When they started high school, they changed their name to the Sterling High School Quartet.
They took their first step toward a professional career after graduating at the annual national convention of the Church of God Holiness in Atlanta, and decided to take off from there. They emulated musical groups like the Golden Gate Quartet, the Southernaires, and the Heavenly Gospel Singers. The Dixie Hummingbirds made their first recordings in 1939... In 1942, the Dixie Hummingbirds moved to Philadelphia, and shortly after they had a regular show over WCAU radio and a long-term engagement at Cafe Society, a New York City nightclub, where they were billed as the Jericho Quartet.
The Hummingbirds' popularity began to grow as their harmonies became more sophisticated. Their virtuosity did not go unnoticed by audiences, and throughout the mid-1940s the group regularly played to packed houses throughout the south. In 1944, they recorded for the Regis and Manor labels, and later for the Apollo label in New York City. The group's personnel had again changed with Davis as the only original to remain.
In 1952, The Hummingbirds began recording for Peacock Records. For the next 24 years, the group would remain the same: Ira Tucker, James Walker, James Davis, Beachey Thompson, William Bobo, and Howard Carroll.
After earning a standing ovation for their performance at the 1966 Newport Folk Festival, they essentially retired from mainstream appearances to focus solely on the church circuit. They came back into popularity in 1973, backing Paul Simon on his pop smash "Loves Me Like a Rock." The death of Willie Bobo in 1976 "brought to a sad end a lengthy chapter of the Hummingbirds' history." After Davis retired in 1984, their current lineup included Ira Tucker, Paul Owens, Howard Carroll, Carl Davis, and William Bright.
Tucker continued leading the group at the 20th century's end, recruiting new blood to keep the Dixie Hummingbirds' spirit alive, celebrating their seventh decade with 1999's "Music in the Air: The 70th Anniversary All-Star Tribute." The Dixie Hummingbirds remain one of the leading gospel quartets on the road today.
The group now consists of Ira Tucker (lead vocals), William Bright (vocals), Carlton Lewis, III (vocals), Cornell Mcknight (bass), Torrey Nettles (drums/vocals), and Lyndon Baines Jones (guitar & vocals)."
****
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dixie_Hummingbirds
"Formed in 1928 in Greenville, South Carolina, by James B. Davis and his classmates, [The Dixie Hummingbirds] sang in local churches until they finished school, then started touring throughout the South.
Lead singer Ira Tucker joined the group in 1938 at age 13, and they signed with Decca Records. In addition to his formidable vocal skills, Tucker introduced the energetic showmanship - running through the aisles, jumping off stage, falling to his knees in prayer - copied by many quartets that followed. Tucker also took the lead in the stylistic innovations adopted by the group, combining gospel shouting and subtle melismas with the syncopated delivery made popular by The Golden Gate Quartet, as well as adventuresome harmonies, which the group called "trickeration", in which Paul Owens or another member of the group would pick up a note just as Tucker left off. The group relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the 1940s...
The Hummingbirds absorbed much from other artists as well, performing with Lester Young in the 1940s and sharing Django Reinhardt records with B.B. King in the 1950s. Tucker and the Hummingbirds inspired a number of imitators, such as Jackie Wilson and James Brown, who adapted the shouting style and enthusiastic showmanship of hard gospel to secular themes to help create soul music in the 1960s"...
****
FEATURED EXAMPLES
(These examples are presented in chronological order based on their posting date on YouTube, with the oldest dated videos given first. Information about the date of the performances or recordings are given for most of these examples.)
Example #1: Dixie Hummingbirds 1983 Jesus Is Coming Soon
dshock11, Uploaded on Jul 22, 2007
Ira Tucker & The Dixie Hummingbirds sing "Jesus Is Coming Soon" on a 1983 episode of Gospel Variations. Enjoy!!
****
Example #2: Dixie Hummingbirds I've Got So Much To Shout About
Konrad Klingelfuss, Uploaded on Dec 27, 2007
Gospel
-snip-
Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O51fcTlw9p4 for a sound file of the Dixie Hummingbirds singing this song at the same venue: the 1966 Newport Jazz festivalHE NE
****
Example #3: Vintage" Dixie Hummingbirds - An AGQC 2004 Hall of Fame Inductee “Christian Automobile”
AGQCGospel,Uploaded on Aug 8, 2008
In 2004 The Dixie legendary Hummingbirds were inducted into American Gospel Quartet Hall of Fame Inductees recognizing their music ministry for Jesus Christ.
-snip-
The following comment was posted in response to the questions “What year was this [performance]?”
methu124, 2009
"Newport Jazz Festival, 1966 They were on a rotating program with the Swan Silvertones and Dorthy Love Coates' Gospel Harmonettes. After the "Birds" sang "I've Got So Much To Shout About" The audience wouldn't let them leave the stage for the next act. James B. Davis (barritone) had to convince the people to let the "Birds" go!"
****
Example #4: The Dixie Hummingbirds - Holding On
fableable57, Uploaded on Sep 12, 2008
Tribute
****
Example #5: Dixie Hummingbirds ---Swing Low Sweet Chariot
nipsipone, Uploaded on Jun 19, 2009
From A New York City Concert ---1991 ----Acapella--
Ira Tucker (lead vocals), William Bright (vocals), Carlton Lewis, III (vocals), Cornell Mcknight (bass vocals), Torrey Nettles (drums/vocals), Willie Coleman (bass guitar & vocals) and Lyndon Baines Jones (guitar & vocals).
****
Example #6: THE DIXIE HUMMINGBIRDS - MOVE UP A LITTLE HIGHER
Tjmministries T. Moore, Uploaded on Jan 10, 2010
GOTHAM LABEL
-snip-
A commenter wrote that this was from the late 1940s.
****
Example #7: Dixie Hummingbirds - Hold On.wmv
BevYoYummy, Uploaded on Mar 11, 2011
Live in Miami, Florida featuring: Ira Tucker, Sr., James Walker, Beachey Thompson, Paul Owens and Howard Carroll
****
Thanks to the Dixie Hummingbirds for their musical legacy. Thanks also to the publishers of these videos on YouTube and thanks to those who I quoted in this post.
Thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Old Blind Barnabas (Video, Sound Files, & Lyrics)
Edited by Azizi Powell
This post features one video & one song file of The Golden Gate Quartet singing the talking Gospel song "Old Blind Barnabas". A sound file of the Blind Boys Of Alabama singing that song is also included in this post. In addition, the Biblical story of Blind Barnabas (Blind Bartimaeus) and the lyrics for the song "Old Blind Barnabas" (given under the title "Old Blind Bartimaeus" are also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for historical, religious, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
THE BIBLICAL STORY BEHIND THE GOSPEL THE GOSPEL SONG
From http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+10%3A46-52&version=NIV
Mark 10:46-52
New International Version (NIV)
Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight
46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging.
47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”
50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
FEATURED EXAMPELS
Example #1: The Golden Gate Quartet Sings "Blind Barnabas"
EdmundStAustell, Published on Mar 3, 2012
One of the best gospel quartets of all time, formed in 1934 and most active throughout the 40's and 50's . I first became aware of them back in the early 50's from an Okeh record, a subsidiary production of Columbia. This is "Old Blind Barnabas," one of their better known hits. A version of this was contained in an old film, but this is the recorded version that was popular back in the late 40's. The clarity of their diction and the precision of the rhythm is quite remarkable.
****
Example #2: The Golden Gate Quartet - Blind Barnabas
SyberkaPL, Uploaded on Dec 18, 2008
From "A Song Is Bron" (1948)
Members:Alton Bradley, Henry Owens, Clyde Riddick, Orlandus Wilson
****
Example #3: Old Blind Barnabas.mov
soddyflash, Uploaded on Jul 10, 2011
The Blind Boys of Alabama with "Old Blind Barnabas" from their 2005 album, "Atom Bomb."
****
LYRICS: OLD BLIND BARTIMAEUS
(composer ?)
Chorus
Well old blind Bartimaeus stood on the way, blind
Blind Bartimaeus stood on the way.
Well old blind Bartimaeus stood on the way, crying
Oh Lord, have mercy on me
In my God's bible, the word proclaims
that Christ went healing the crippled and the lame.
He gave to the poor and the needy bread.
Healing the sick and raising the dead.
And then when He came to Galilee.
He passed by a man that could not see
Well, the main was blind, he was blind for birth.
They tell me that his name was Blind Bartimaeus.
Repeat Chorus
When Bartimaeus heard that the Lord was nigh,
He fell on his knees and began to crying
Oh thou man of Galilee
Cryin' great God Almighty, have mercy on me.
Crying Oh Lord, (Mary's baby)
Oh Lord, (Son of David)
Oh Lord, (Bleeding Lamb)
Oh, my Lord from in Bethlehem
Then my Lord, He stopped and He turned around
And He saw Blind Bartimaeus on the ground
And He touched his eyes with the palm of His hand
Blind Bartimaeus saw like a natural man.
He cried Thank God
Thank God
Thank God
Thank my God from in Bethlehem.
Repeat Chorus
http://www.elyrics.net/read/b/bishops-lyrics/blind-bartimaeus-lyrics.html; these lyrics are submitted by kaan
****
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to the composer & the performers of this Gospel song. Thanks also to the transcriber of this song and the uploaders of this video and these song files.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This post features one video & one song file of The Golden Gate Quartet singing the talking Gospel song "Old Blind Barnabas". A sound file of the Blind Boys Of Alabama singing that song is also included in this post. In addition, the Biblical story of Blind Barnabas (Blind Bartimaeus) and the lyrics for the song "Old Blind Barnabas" (given under the title "Old Blind Bartimaeus" are also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for historical, religious, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
THE BIBLICAL STORY BEHIND THE GOSPEL THE GOSPEL SONG
From http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+10%3A46-52&version=NIV
Mark 10:46-52
New International Version (NIV)
Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight
46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging.
47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”
So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.”
50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
FEATURED EXAMPELS
Example #1: The Golden Gate Quartet Sings "Blind Barnabas"
EdmundStAustell, Published on Mar 3, 2012
One of the best gospel quartets of all time, formed in 1934 and most active throughout the 40's and 50's . I first became aware of them back in the early 50's from an Okeh record, a subsidiary production of Columbia. This is "Old Blind Barnabas," one of their better known hits. A version of this was contained in an old film, but this is the recorded version that was popular back in the late 40's. The clarity of their diction and the precision of the rhythm is quite remarkable.
****
Example #2: The Golden Gate Quartet - Blind Barnabas
SyberkaPL, Uploaded on Dec 18, 2008
From "A Song Is Bron" (1948)
Members:Alton Bradley, Henry Owens, Clyde Riddick, Orlandus Wilson
****
Example #3: Old Blind Barnabas.mov
soddyflash, Uploaded on Jul 10, 2011
The Blind Boys of Alabama with "Old Blind Barnabas" from their 2005 album, "Atom Bomb."
****
LYRICS: OLD BLIND BARTIMAEUS
(composer ?)
Chorus
Well old blind Bartimaeus stood on the way, blind
Blind Bartimaeus stood on the way.
Well old blind Bartimaeus stood on the way, crying
Oh Lord, have mercy on me
In my God's bible, the word proclaims
that Christ went healing the crippled and the lame.
He gave to the poor and the needy bread.
Healing the sick and raising the dead.
And then when He came to Galilee.
He passed by a man that could not see
Well, the main was blind, he was blind for birth.
They tell me that his name was Blind Bartimaeus.
Repeat Chorus
When Bartimaeus heard that the Lord was nigh,
He fell on his knees and began to crying
Oh thou man of Galilee
Cryin' great God Almighty, have mercy on me.
Crying Oh Lord, (Mary's baby)
Oh Lord, (Son of David)
Oh Lord, (Bleeding Lamb)
Oh, my Lord from in Bethlehem
Then my Lord, He stopped and He turned around
And He saw Blind Bartimaeus on the ground
And He touched his eyes with the palm of His hand
Blind Bartimaeus saw like a natural man.
He cried Thank God
Thank God
Thank God
Thank my God from in Bethlehem.
Repeat Chorus
http://www.elyrics.net/read/b/bishops-lyrics/blind-bartimaeus-lyrics.html; these lyrics are submitted by kaan
****
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to the composer & the performers of this Gospel song. Thanks also to the transcriber of this song and the uploaders of this video and these song files.
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Two Examples Of "Run On For A Long Time" by Bill Landford and the Landfordaires and by The Blind Boys Of Alabama
Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post features a sound file of the Gospel quartet Bill Landford and the Landfordaires' rendition of "Run On For A Long Time" and a video of the Gospel quartet "The Blind Boys Of Alabama" singing that same song. "Run On For A Long Time" is also known as "Run On" and "God's Gonna Cut You Down".
This post also includes some information about Bill Landford and the Landfordaires and information about The Blind Boys Of Alabama. In addition, this post includes the lyrics to this song as sung by The Blind Boys Of Alabama, and my comments about some of the lyrics to this song.
The content of this post is presented for historical, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/05/three-examples-of-run-on-for-long-time.html for the closely related 2013 pancocojams post entitled "Three Examples Of "Run On For A Long Time" (God Gonna Cut You Down)."
****
****
INFORMATION ABOUT BILL LANDFORD AND THE LANDFORDAIRES
I've only able to find a brief bit of information online about Bill Landford or the Landfordaires. I believe that the members of this group were African American, but I've not even found any documentation of that, althought the album cover for the sound file found below is a drawing of African American musicians.
Here's information about that group that I found on http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=3034.0
Several commenters in this discussion thread shared that Bill Landford or the Landfordaires' rendition of "Run On" is featured in the American 2004 movie The Ladykillers.
INFORMATION ABOUT "THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA"
From http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-five-blind-boys-of-alabama-mn0000568725
Although "quartet" means "four", Black Gospel quartests often include five singers.
FEATURED EXAMPLES
Bill landford and the Landfordaires - Run On for a Long Time
DutchBluesfan, Uploaded on Feb 20, 2010
(1949)
-snip-
The Wikipedia page on the song "God's Gonna Cut You Down" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God's_Gonna_Cut_You_Down gives 1943 as the year that Bill Landford and the Landfordaires recorded "Run On For A Long Time". That same Wikipedia page provides the information that the electronic musician Moby released "Run On" as the second single from his studio album Play and the vocal portion of that song is the singing of Bill Landford and the Landfordaires.
However, https://secondhandsongs.com/work/6688 includes this information:
"Run On for a Long Time: First recording by Golden Gate Quartet (June 5, 1946)
Run On - Blind Boys of Alabama
jseagull5761, Uploaded on Nov 14, 2006
Blind Boys of Alabama perform Run On live from British Show "Later"
LYRICS: RUN ON (RUN ON FOR A LONG TIME)
(Traditional; as sung by The Five Blind Boys Of Alabama)
Stop God almighty let me tell you the news
My head's been wet with the midnight dews
Coming down on my bended knees
Talking to the man from Galilee
My God spoke and he spoke so sweet
I thought I heard the shuffle of angel's feet
Than He put one hand upon my head
Great God almighty let me tell you what he said
Go tell that long tongued liar, oh well well
Go tell that midnight rider, oh well well
Tell the gambler, rambler, back-biter
Tell them God almighty gonna cut them down
2x
Well you may run on for a long time
Run on for a long time,
Run on for a long time
Let me tell you God almighty gonna cut you down
Go tell that long tongued liar, oh well well
Go tell that midnight rider, oh well well
Tell the gambler, rambler, back-biter
Tell them God almighty gonna cut them down
You may throw your rock and hide your hand
Working in the dark against your fellow man
As sure as God made the day and the night
What you do in the dark will be brought to the light
You may run and hide, slip and slide
Trying to take the mote from your neighbour's eyes
As sure as God made the rich and poor
You gonna reap just what you sow
Some people go to church just to signify*
Trying to make a date with the neighbour's wife
Brother let me tell you as sure as you're born
You better leave that woman alone
Because one of these days mark my word
You think that brother is going to work
And you'll sneak up and knock on that door
That's all brother you'll knock no more
Run on for a long time,
Run on for a long time
Let me tell you God almighty gonna cut you down
Stop God almighty let me tell you the news
My head's been wet with the midnight dews
Coming down on my bended knees
Talking to the man from Galilee
My God spoke and he spoke so sweet
I thought I heard the shuffle of angel's feet
Than He put one hand upon my head
Great God almighty let me tell you what he said
Go tell that long tongued liar, oh well well
Go tell that midnight rider, oh well well
Tell the gambler, rambler, back-biter
Tell them God almighty gonna cut them down
Lyrics reposted from http://www.elyrics.net/read/b/blind-boys-of-alabama-lyrics/run-on-for-a-long-time-lyrics.html ; lyrics submitted by BURKUL4
-snip-
Although the composer the song "Run On For A Long Time" is unknown, the lyrics of the song strongly suggest that the composer was African American.
In my opinion, the phrase "God Almighty" in the line "Stop God Almighty let me tell you the news" is an interjection. As such, that line should be written "Stop, God Almighty, let me tell you the news".
I also believe that the the line "Great God almighty let me tell you what he said", "Great God almighty" is also an interjection. However, in the line "Tell them God almighty gonna cut them down", "God almighty" isn't an interjection, but a referent for God.
**
EXPLANATIONS OF CERTAIN WORDS IN THIS SONG:
A "midnight rider" could be someone who is still out riding around ("hangin' out") at midnight (when all good persons would be home in their beds). However, in Blues music the word "rider" means "a sexual partner". Therefore, "a midnight rider" could refer to a person who was engaging in illicit sex late at night.
A "rambler" is person who wanders around (from the verb "ramble").
A long tongued liar is a person who lies a lot.
A back biter is a malicious gossiper, a person who spreads lies about other people, attacking their reputation
* UPDATE 4/23/2016"
Thanks to Jeff Hawley, Cartoonist -April 23, 2016 for this correction to the lyrics that were given on that e.lyrics.com page. The incorrect (but somewhat similar sounding) lyrics that page gave was "sit by the fire". The correct term is "signify".
One meaning of the African American Vernacular English term "signify" is to "talk bad about someone but blame what you are saying on another person. This is done to be spiteful and to "enjoy" the fall out when those two go after each other. The African American folktale/folk song "Signifying Monkey" is an example of "signifying".
Put-downs given in the African American insult game called "the dozens" might be a form of "signifying" but the insults that are exchanged aren't blamed on anyone else.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/06/oscar-brown-jr-signifyin-monkey-video.html for a pancocojams post on Oscar Brown. Jr's song "Signifying Monkey".
****
RELATED LINK
http://www.harmonytrain.com/Gospel/Gospel-2.htm Black Gospel Quartets-2
****
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to the unknown composer/s of the song "Run On For A Long Time". Thanks also to the two Gospel Quartet groups which are featured in this post, as well as to other performers of this song.
Thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This pancocojams post features a sound file of the Gospel quartet Bill Landford and the Landfordaires' rendition of "Run On For A Long Time" and a video of the Gospel quartet "The Blind Boys Of Alabama" singing that same song. "Run On For A Long Time" is also known as "Run On" and "God's Gonna Cut You Down".
This post also includes some information about Bill Landford and the Landfordaires and information about The Blind Boys Of Alabama. In addition, this post includes the lyrics to this song as sung by The Blind Boys Of Alabama, and my comments about some of the lyrics to this song.
The content of this post is presented for historical, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/05/three-examples-of-run-on-for-long-time.html for the closely related 2013 pancocojams post entitled "Three Examples Of "Run On For A Long Time" (God Gonna Cut You Down)."
****
****
INFORMATION ABOUT BILL LANDFORD AND THE LANDFORDAIRES
I've only able to find a brief bit of information online about Bill Landford or the Landfordaires. I believe that the members of this group were African American, but I've not even found any documentation of that, althought the album cover for the sound file found below is a drawing of African American musicians.
Here's information about that group that I found on http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=3034.0
posted by Rivers, January 28, 2007-snip-
..."There's no mention of Bill Landford or the Landfordair(e)s in Dixon & Godrich's Blues and Gospel Records 1890 - 1943. This is usually regarded as the best reference available. So they would almost certainly be after '43."
**
posted by Bunker Hill, October 02, 2007
"Thought I'd resurrect this in light of recently having referred to the 1993 edition of the Laughton & Hayes discography "Gospel Records 1943-1969", spotted Bill Landford whose name rang bells in my brain ..., finally tracking it down to a WC thread!
Landford and The Landfordaires recorded a six song session for Columbia (15 December, 1949, N. Y.). On 19 May 1953, the Bill Landford Quartet recorded two songs for Victor in Nashville and that seems to be about it. The entry has a footnote stating he's probably the same guy as was in the Golden Gate and Southern Sons quartets".
Several commenters in this discussion thread shared that Bill Landford or the Landfordaires' rendition of "Run On" is featured in the American 2004 movie The Ladykillers.
INFORMATION ABOUT "THE BLIND BOYS OF ALABAMA"
From http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-five-blind-boys-of-alabama-mn0000568725
Evolving out of the Happyland Jubilee Singers, this traditional black gospel quartet was formed in 1937 at the Talladega Institute for the Deaf and Blind in Alabama. By the '40s they became "the Blind Boys" and recorded for Specialty, Vee-Jay, Savoy, Elektra, and other labels. Their first hit was "I Can See Everybody's Mother But Mine" in 1949. During the '90s, their lineup included George Scott, Joe Watson, Jimmy Carter, Sam and Bobby Butler, Curtis Foster, Johnny Fields, and Clarence Fountain. They appeared on Broadway in Gospel at Colonus, but gained much more fame during the late '90s and early 2000s while recording a series of albums for Peter Gabriel's Real World label, beginning with the collaboration-heavy Spirit of the Century. The group also appeared on Gabriel's 2002 album Up, and was co-billed with Ben Harper on 2004's There Will Be a Light. Scott passed away in 2005, and Fountain retired from active performance soon after, leaving Jimmy Carter to lead the group. A new recording in 2011, Take the High Road, found the group pursuing its roots in country gospel, with help from producer Jamey Johnson and featuring guests including Willie Nelson, Hank Williams Jr., and Vince Gill.-snip-
Although "quartet" means "four", Black Gospel quartests often include five singers.
FEATURED EXAMPLES
Bill landford and the Landfordaires - Run On for a Long Time
DutchBluesfan, Uploaded on Feb 20, 2010
(1949)
-snip-
The Wikipedia page on the song "God's Gonna Cut You Down" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/God's_Gonna_Cut_You_Down gives 1943 as the year that Bill Landford and the Landfordaires recorded "Run On For A Long Time". That same Wikipedia page provides the information that the electronic musician Moby released "Run On" as the second single from his studio album Play and the vocal portion of that song is the singing of Bill Landford and the Landfordaires.
However, https://secondhandsongs.com/work/6688 includes this information:
"Run On for a Long Time: First recording by Golden Gate Quartet (June 5, 1946)
First release by The Jubalaires (1947)"
jseagull5761, Uploaded on Nov 14, 2006
Blind Boys of Alabama perform Run On live from British Show "Later"
LYRICS: RUN ON (RUN ON FOR A LONG TIME)
(Traditional; as sung by The Five Blind Boys Of Alabama)
Stop God almighty let me tell you the news
My head's been wet with the midnight dews
Coming down on my bended knees
Talking to the man from Galilee
My God spoke and he spoke so sweet
I thought I heard the shuffle of angel's feet
Than He put one hand upon my head
Great God almighty let me tell you what he said
Go tell that long tongued liar, oh well well
Go tell that midnight rider, oh well well
Tell the gambler, rambler, back-biter
Tell them God almighty gonna cut them down
2x
Well you may run on for a long time
Run on for a long time,
Run on for a long time
Let me tell you God almighty gonna cut you down
Go tell that long tongued liar, oh well well
Go tell that midnight rider, oh well well
Tell the gambler, rambler, back-biter
Tell them God almighty gonna cut them down
You may throw your rock and hide your hand
Working in the dark against your fellow man
As sure as God made the day and the night
What you do in the dark will be brought to the light
You may run and hide, slip and slide
Trying to take the mote from your neighbour's eyes
As sure as God made the rich and poor
You gonna reap just what you sow
Some people go to church just to signify*
Trying to make a date with the neighbour's wife
Brother let me tell you as sure as you're born
You better leave that woman alone
Because one of these days mark my word
You think that brother is going to work
And you'll sneak up and knock on that door
That's all brother you'll knock no more
Run on for a long time,
Run on for a long time
Let me tell you God almighty gonna cut you down
Stop God almighty let me tell you the news
My head's been wet with the midnight dews
Coming down on my bended knees
Talking to the man from Galilee
My God spoke and he spoke so sweet
I thought I heard the shuffle of angel's feet
Than He put one hand upon my head
Great God almighty let me tell you what he said
Go tell that long tongued liar, oh well well
Go tell that midnight rider, oh well well
Tell the gambler, rambler, back-biter
Tell them God almighty gonna cut them down
Lyrics reposted from http://www.elyrics.net/read/b/blind-boys-of-alabama-lyrics/run-on-for-a-long-time-lyrics.html ; lyrics submitted by BURKUL4
-snip-
Although the composer the song "Run On For A Long Time" is unknown, the lyrics of the song strongly suggest that the composer was African American.
In my opinion, the phrase "God Almighty" in the line "Stop God Almighty let me tell you the news" is an interjection. As such, that line should be written "Stop, God Almighty, let me tell you the news".
I also believe that the the line "Great God almighty let me tell you what he said", "Great God almighty" is also an interjection. However, in the line "Tell them God almighty gonna cut them down", "God almighty" isn't an interjection, but a referent for God.
**
EXPLANATIONS OF CERTAIN WORDS IN THIS SONG:
A "midnight rider" could be someone who is still out riding around ("hangin' out") at midnight (when all good persons would be home in their beds). However, in Blues music the word "rider" means "a sexual partner". Therefore, "a midnight rider" could refer to a person who was engaging in illicit sex late at night.
A "rambler" is person who wanders around (from the verb "ramble").
A long tongued liar is a person who lies a lot.
A back biter is a malicious gossiper, a person who spreads lies about other people, attacking their reputation
* UPDATE 4/23/2016"
Thanks to Jeff Hawley, Cartoonist -April 23, 2016 for this correction to the lyrics that were given on that e.lyrics.com page. The incorrect (but somewhat similar sounding) lyrics that page gave was "sit by the fire". The correct term is "signify".
One meaning of the African American Vernacular English term "signify" is to "talk bad about someone but blame what you are saying on another person. This is done to be spiteful and to "enjoy" the fall out when those two go after each other. The African American folktale/folk song "Signifying Monkey" is an example of "signifying".
Put-downs given in the African American insult game called "the dozens" might be a form of "signifying" but the insults that are exchanged aren't blamed on anyone else.
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/06/oscar-brown-jr-signifyin-monkey-video.html for a pancocojams post on Oscar Brown. Jr's song "Signifying Monkey".
****
RELATED LINK
http://www.harmonytrain.com/Gospel/Gospel-2.htm Black Gospel Quartets-2
****
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS
Thanks to the unknown composer/s of the song "Run On For A Long Time". Thanks also to the two Gospel Quartet groups which are featured in this post, as well as to other performers of this song.
Thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Jubilee Quartet Videos -"God Told Nicodemus" & "Noah"
Edited by Azizi Powell
****
"God Told Nicodemus" (1941)- The Golden Gate Quartet
Uploaded by JayEm86 on Feb 6, 2009
Old, jubilee style quartet singing from these legends.
****
Jubalaires Gospel - Noah
1940's Black Gospel & Pop Vocal Quartet
****
EDITOR'S COMMENTS
"God Told Nicodemus" and "Noah" are Gospel songs that are performed by quartets in the African American Jubilee style. In these performances, "God Told Nicodemus" and "Noah" have the same tune and are performed in the same tempo. As to which song came first, from the uploader notes to another video on the Golden Gate Quartet ["Golden Gate Quartet" - Early Songs at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT3Ly_-o28k -"Noah" is listed as being recorded by that quartet in 1939. The video for "God Told Nicodemus" gives the date 1941 for that song.]
The Wikipedia page for the Golden Gate Quartet indicates that that quartet "was founded as the Golden Gate Jubilee Singers in 1934, by four students at the Booker T. Washington College in Norfolk, Virginia" and that one of its founding members, Willie Johnson, "left in 1948 to form The Jubalaires". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Gate_Quartet
However, The Jubalaire's Wikipedia page - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jubalaires - indicates that "The Jubalaires were an American gospel group active during the 1940s and 1950s. They were playing as the Royal Harmony Singers in Florida as far back as 1936, and under that name reached #10 on the R&B charts on November 14, 1942 with "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition", a song adapted from the speech of a naval chaplain in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor the previous year". The uploader comment for the Jubalaires' rendition of "Noah" provides the information that The Jubalaires were a "1940's Black Gospel & Pop Vocal Quartet".
All of this to say that although I'm not completely sure, it seems most likely that "God Told Nicodemus" uses the tune of "Noah" and not vice versa. Furthermore, it seems likely that the song Noah was first recorded by The Golden Gate Quartet and not by The Jubalaires.
****
LYRICS: NOAH
(as sung by The Jubaliares)
Chorus:
Well it's oh Noah
Oh oh Noah
Oh oh! Noah
God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Oh Noah
Oh oh Noah
Oh oh! Noah
God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Soloist - Brother Noah
Group - God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Soloist- My God's talking.
Group - God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Soloist - Say you'll ride on the wind & tide.
Narrative by one singer; the rest of the group quietly hums in response to each line:
Hey, to*, stop, (be) still, and listen to me.
God walked down to the briny sea.
He declared that evil had descended to man.
And then He decided to destroy the land.
He spoke to Noah and Noah stopped.
He said "Noah, I want you to build an ark".
I want you to build it three cubics long.
I want you to build it big and strong.
I want you to build it fifty high and fifty wide.
So it will withstand the wind and tide.
Chorus:
So it's oh Noah etc
Well it's oh Noah etc
(repeat chorus one time)
Soloist (Humming) Mmmm Mmmm
Group - God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Soloist (Humming) Mmmm Mmmm
Group - God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Soloist- Brother Noah. Brother Noah,my God's talking.
Group - God's gonna ride on the wind & tide
Soloist - Said He would ride
Group - God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Soloist- on the wind and the tide.
Narrative by one singer; the rest of the group quietly hums in response to each line:
Well after the foundation was laid.
Then Brother Noah began to hew and build.
The ringing of the hammer that judgement.
The hewing of the saw that [said we] repent.
One hundred years he hammered and sawed.
Building the ark by the grace of God.
When the ark was built God's voice was heard.
He said "Now, Noah let me tell you what to do.
I want you to call in the animals two by two.
So he called them in the ark two by two.
[Bears], the oxford, and the kangaroo.
Then he called in [Japeth], and Ham, and Shem.
Then God began to flood the land.
He raised His hands to heaven on high.
Shook the stars and they moved from the sky.
Shook the mountains, He troubled the sea.
[Hist] the wind, His chariot decree.
He stood on land and stood on the shore.
And declared that time there wouldn't be no more.
Chorus:
Well it's oh Noah
Oh oh Noah
Oh oh! Noah
God's gonna ride on the wind & tide
[Transcription by Ms. Azizi Powell, 12/7/2010
from the video]
* The words that I'm unsure about are placed in brackets. The word that is assumed by listeners is placed in parenthesis, For instance, in the line "Hey to stop, (be) still, and listen to me", I believe that "to" in that line means "got to" and I believe that "be still" is meant, although "be" isn't sung
****
LYRICS
GOD TOLD NICODEMUS
(As performed by The Golden Gate Quartet)
Chorus:
God told Nicodemus, God told Nicodemus
God, oh yes He did, He told Nicodemus a man he must-a be born again
Well-a God told Nicodemus, God told Nicodemus
God, oh yes He did, He told Nicodemus a man he must-a be born again
Well there was a man among the Pharisees
By the name of Nicodemus who did not believe
Same Nicodemus came to God by night
Talkin' 'bout religion from the human sight
He brought along his silver, diamonds, and gold
Wanted to buy his way to Heaven and save his soul
Repeat Chorus
Well the same Nicodemus came a runnin' hard
Said "Has anybody here done seen the Lord?
I want to buy some 'ligion, but what will it cost
To get myself to Heaven 'fore my soul be lost?
Then my God spoke, He spoke so sweet
Sounded like the shuffle of angels feet
He said "Marvel thou man, if you want to be wise
You got to believe and be baptized"
Repeat Chorus
Then old Nicodemus was taken back
Cause God done told him 'bout the natural fact
He said "Marvel thou man, if you want to be wise
You got to believe and be baptized"
Old Nicodemus was taken back
Cause God done told him 'bout the natural fact
He said "I don't understand! I want to know
How can be born when he's old?"
Then my God spoke, His voice did ring
Sounded like the shuffle of angels wings
He said, "Marvel thou man, if you want to be wise
You got to believe and be baptized"
Repeat Chorus (x2)
Well-a God told Nicodemus, God told Nicodemus
God, oh yes He did, He told Nicodemus a man he must-a be born again
I said man you must-a be born again
We know that man you must-a be born again
From http://lyrics.astraweb.com/display/406/hymns..unknown..god_told_nicodemus.html
****
RELATED LINK
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/06/biblical-references-in-african-american.html Biblical References In African American Religious Songs (Part I - New Testament) The link for Part I of that series is found in that post.
****
Thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Viewer comments are welcome.
****
"God Told Nicodemus" (1941)- The Golden Gate Quartet
Uploaded by JayEm86 on Feb 6, 2009
Old, jubilee style quartet singing from these legends.
****
Jubalaires Gospel - Noah
1940's Black Gospel & Pop Vocal Quartet
****
EDITOR'S COMMENTS
"God Told Nicodemus" and "Noah" are Gospel songs that are performed by quartets in the African American Jubilee style. In these performances, "God Told Nicodemus" and "Noah" have the same tune and are performed in the same tempo. As to which song came first, from the uploader notes to another video on the Golden Gate Quartet ["Golden Gate Quartet" - Early Songs at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT3Ly_-o28k -"Noah" is listed as being recorded by that quartet in 1939. The video for "God Told Nicodemus" gives the date 1941 for that song.]
The Wikipedia page for the Golden Gate Quartet indicates that that quartet "was founded as the Golden Gate Jubilee Singers in 1934, by four students at the Booker T. Washington College in Norfolk, Virginia" and that one of its founding members, Willie Johnson, "left in 1948 to form The Jubalaires". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Gate_Quartet
However, The Jubalaire's Wikipedia page - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jubalaires - indicates that "The Jubalaires were an American gospel group active during the 1940s and 1950s. They were playing as the Royal Harmony Singers in Florida as far back as 1936, and under that name reached #10 on the R&B charts on November 14, 1942 with "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition", a song adapted from the speech of a naval chaplain in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor the previous year". The uploader comment for the Jubalaires' rendition of "Noah" provides the information that The Jubalaires were a "1940's Black Gospel & Pop Vocal Quartet".
All of this to say that although I'm not completely sure, it seems most likely that "God Told Nicodemus" uses the tune of "Noah" and not vice versa. Furthermore, it seems likely that the song Noah was first recorded by The Golden Gate Quartet and not by The Jubalaires.
****
LYRICS: NOAH
(as sung by The Jubaliares)
Chorus:
Well it's oh Noah
Oh oh Noah
Oh oh! Noah
God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Oh Noah
Oh oh Noah
Oh oh! Noah
God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Soloist - Brother Noah
Group - God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Soloist- My God's talking.
Group - God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Soloist - Say you'll ride on the wind & tide.
Narrative by one singer; the rest of the group quietly hums in response to each line:
Hey, to*, stop, (be) still, and listen to me.
God walked down to the briny sea.
He declared that evil had descended to man.
And then He decided to destroy the land.
He spoke to Noah and Noah stopped.
He said "Noah, I want you to build an ark".
I want you to build it three cubics long.
I want you to build it big and strong.
I want you to build it fifty high and fifty wide.
So it will withstand the wind and tide.
Chorus:
So it's oh Noah etc
Well it's oh Noah etc
(repeat chorus one time)
Soloist (Humming) Mmmm Mmmm
Group - God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Soloist (Humming) Mmmm Mmmm
Group - God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Soloist- Brother Noah. Brother Noah,my God's talking.
Group - God's gonna ride on the wind & tide
Soloist - Said He would ride
Group - God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Soloist- on the wind and the tide.
Narrative by one singer; the rest of the group quietly hums in response to each line:
Well after the foundation was laid.
Then Brother Noah began to hew and build.
The ringing of the hammer that judgement.
The hewing of the saw that [said we] repent.
One hundred years he hammered and sawed.
Building the ark by the grace of God.
When the ark was built God's voice was heard.
He said "Now, Noah let me tell you what to do.
I want you to call in the animals two by two.
So he called them in the ark two by two.
[Bears], the oxford, and the kangaroo.
Then he called in [Japeth], and Ham, and Shem.
Then God began to flood the land.
He raised His hands to heaven on high.
Shook the stars and they moved from the sky.
Shook the mountains, He troubled the sea.
[Hist] the wind, His chariot decree.
He stood on land and stood on the shore.
And declared that time there wouldn't be no more.
Chorus:
Well it's oh Noah
Oh oh Noah
Oh oh! Noah
God's gonna ride on the wind & tide
[Transcription by Ms. Azizi Powell, 12/7/2010
from the video]
* The words that I'm unsure about are placed in brackets. The word that is assumed by listeners is placed in parenthesis, For instance, in the line "Hey to stop, (be) still, and listen to me", I believe that "to" in that line means "got to" and I believe that "be still" is meant, although "be" isn't sung
****
LYRICS
GOD TOLD NICODEMUS
(As performed by The Golden Gate Quartet)
Chorus:
God told Nicodemus, God told Nicodemus
God, oh yes He did, He told Nicodemus a man he must-a be born again
Well-a God told Nicodemus, God told Nicodemus
God, oh yes He did, He told Nicodemus a man he must-a be born again
Well there was a man among the Pharisees
By the name of Nicodemus who did not believe
Same Nicodemus came to God by night
Talkin' 'bout religion from the human sight
He brought along his silver, diamonds, and gold
Wanted to buy his way to Heaven and save his soul
Repeat Chorus
Well the same Nicodemus came a runnin' hard
Said "Has anybody here done seen the Lord?
I want to buy some 'ligion, but what will it cost
To get myself to Heaven 'fore my soul be lost?
Then my God spoke, He spoke so sweet
Sounded like the shuffle of angels feet
He said "Marvel thou man, if you want to be wise
You got to believe and be baptized"
Repeat Chorus
Then old Nicodemus was taken back
Cause God done told him 'bout the natural fact
He said "Marvel thou man, if you want to be wise
You got to believe and be baptized"
Old Nicodemus was taken back
Cause God done told him 'bout the natural fact
He said "I don't understand! I want to know
How can be born when he's old?"
Then my God spoke, His voice did ring
Sounded like the shuffle of angels wings
He said, "Marvel thou man, if you want to be wise
You got to believe and be baptized"
Repeat Chorus (x2)
Well-a God told Nicodemus, God told Nicodemus
God, oh yes He did, He told Nicodemus a man he must-a be born again
I said man you must-a be born again
We know that man you must-a be born again
From http://lyrics.astraweb.com/display/406/hymns..unknown..god_told_nicodemus.html
****
RELATED LINK
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/06/biblical-references-in-african-american.html Biblical References In African American Religious Songs (Part I - New Testament) The link for Part I of that series is found in that post.
****
Thank you for visiting pancocojams.
Viewer comments are welcome.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
The Jubailaire's Noah - 1940s Gospel Rap (video, information, and lyrics)
Edited by Azizi Powell
Latest update- December 16, 2020
JUBALAIRES GOSPEL NOAH
Uploaded by recquilt on May 10, 2007
1940's Black Gospel & Pop Vocal Quartet
****
This pancocojams post showcases The Jubalaire's 1940s Gospel "Rap" entitled "Noah".
Information about The Jubalaires is also included in this post along with my unofficial transcription of this song's lyrics.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, religious, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to The Jubailaires for their musical legacy and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube and all those who have assisted in correcting this transcription.
****
LYRICS - NOAH
(performed by The Jubaliares ; 1940s)
Chorus:
Well it's oh Noah
Oh oh Noah
Oh oh! Noah
God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Oh Noah
Oh oh Noah
Oh oh! Noah
God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Soloist -Brother Noah
Group- God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Soloist-My God's talking.
Group- God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Soloist- Say you'll ride on the wind & tide.
(Narrative by one singer; the rest of the group quietly hums in response to each line)
Hey, to*, stop, (be) still, and listen to me.
God walked down to the Red sea.
He declared that evil had descended to man.
And then He decided to destroy the land.
He spoke to Noah and Noah stopped.
He said "Noah, I want you to build an ark".
I want you to build it three cubics long.
I want you to build it big and strong.
I want you to build it fifty high and fifty wide.
So it will withstand the wind and tide.
Chorus
So it's oh Noah etc
Well it's oh Noah etc
(repeat chorus one time)
Soloist (Humming) Mmmm Mmmm
Group- God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Soloist (Humming) Mmmm Mmmm
Group- God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Soloist- Brother Noah. Brother Noah, my God's talking.
Group- God's gonna ride on the wind & tide
Soloist- Said He would ride
Group- God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Soloist- on the wind and the tide.
(Narrative by one singer; the rest of the group quietly hums in response to each line)
Well after the foundation was laid.
Then Brother Noah began to hew and build.
The ringing of the hammer that judgement.
The hewing of the saw that [said we] repent.
One hundred years he hammered and sawed.
Building the ark by the grace of God.
When the ark was built God's voice was heard.
He said "Now, Noah let me tell you what to do.
I want you to call in the animals two by two.
So he called them in the ark two by two.
Birds, and ox, and the kangaroo.
Then he called in Japeth, and Ham, and Shem.**
Then God began to flood the land.
He raised His hands to heaven on high.
Shook the stars and they moved from the sky.
Shook the mountains, He troubled the sea.
[Hist] the wind, His chariot decree.
He stood on land and stood on the shore.
And declared that time there wouldn't be no more.
Chorus
Well it's oh Noah
Oh oh Noah
Oh oh! Noah
God's gonna ride on the wind & tide
-snip-
*Transcription by Ms. Azizi Powell, 12/7/2010 from the video above. Additions and corrections are welcome.
The words that I'm unsure of are placed in brackets. The word that is assumed by listeners is placed in parenthesis, For instance, in the line "Hey to stop, (be) still, and listen to me", I believe that "to" in that line means "got to" and I believe that "be still" is meant, although "be" isn't sung.
** Japeth, and Ham, and Shem are the name of Noah's sons. I had initially written "Sam" for the name "Shem".
Hat tip to cefinow who also posted lyrics to this song on that video's viewer comment thread http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=6CLFwW85O20 after I did.
Thanks to Unknown December 16, 2020 for sharing some corrections to words I had placed in brackets in this transcription.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE JUBALAIRES
Here's information about The Jubailaires from their Wikipedia page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jubalaires
Here's an excerpt from the uploader statement from another video of this same song:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvoTT3t-Ois
****
SELECTED COMMENTS
Here's an interesting exchange from the featured video's viewer comment thread http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=6CLFwW85O20:
scarlett24ca - Religious Rappers! Sick! Love it:D [Posted in 2008]
**
recquilt - This type of Gospel singing as sung by the Jubalaires And The Golden Gate Quartet was known as narration...a little more of a positive message than rap though!
**
wolwerone-o I'm agree on the message, no comparison with poor rappers of today, i was only talking about their physical movements and speeching words technique incredibly actual. Great !!:)
****
RELATED LINKS
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/01/jubilee-quartet-videos-god-told.html for a video & lyrics of the very similar song "God Told Nicodemus". That post also contains additional information about The Jubalaires.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome
Latest update- December 16, 2020
JUBALAIRES GOSPEL NOAH
Uploaded by recquilt on May 10, 2007
1940's Black Gospel & Pop Vocal Quartet
****
This pancocojams post showcases The Jubalaire's 1940s Gospel "Rap" entitled "Noah".
Information about The Jubalaires is also included in this post along with my unofficial transcription of this song's lyrics.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, religious, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to The Jubailaires for their musical legacy and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube and all those who have assisted in correcting this transcription.
****
LYRICS - NOAH
(performed by The Jubaliares ; 1940s)
Chorus:
Well it's oh Noah
Oh oh Noah
Oh oh! Noah
God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Oh Noah
Oh oh Noah
Oh oh! Noah
God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Soloist -Brother Noah
Group- God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Soloist-My God's talking.
Group- God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Soloist- Say you'll ride on the wind & tide.
(Narrative by one singer; the rest of the group quietly hums in response to each line)
Hey, to*, stop, (be) still, and listen to me.
God walked down to the Red sea.
He declared that evil had descended to man.
And then He decided to destroy the land.
He spoke to Noah and Noah stopped.
He said "Noah, I want you to build an ark".
I want you to build it three cubics long.
I want you to build it big and strong.
I want you to build it fifty high and fifty wide.
So it will withstand the wind and tide.
Chorus
So it's oh Noah etc
Well it's oh Noah etc
(repeat chorus one time)
Soloist (Humming) Mmmm Mmmm
Group- God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Soloist (Humming) Mmmm Mmmm
Group- God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Soloist- Brother Noah. Brother Noah, my God's talking.
Group- God's gonna ride on the wind & tide
Soloist- Said He would ride
Group- God's gonna ride on the wind & tide.
Soloist- on the wind and the tide.
(Narrative by one singer; the rest of the group quietly hums in response to each line)
Well after the foundation was laid.
Then Brother Noah began to hew and build.
The ringing of the hammer that judgement.
The hewing of the saw that [said we] repent.
One hundred years he hammered and sawed.
Building the ark by the grace of God.
When the ark was built God's voice was heard.
He said "Now, Noah let me tell you what to do.
I want you to call in the animals two by two.
So he called them in the ark two by two.
Birds, and ox, and the kangaroo.
Then he called in Japeth, and Ham, and Shem.**
Then God began to flood the land.
He raised His hands to heaven on high.
Shook the stars and they moved from the sky.
Shook the mountains, He troubled the sea.
[Hist] the wind, His chariot decree.
He stood on land and stood on the shore.
And declared that time there wouldn't be no more.
Chorus
Well it's oh Noah
Oh oh Noah
Oh oh! Noah
God's gonna ride on the wind & tide
-snip-
*Transcription by Ms. Azizi Powell, 12/7/2010 from the video above. Additions and corrections are welcome.
The words that I'm unsure of are placed in brackets. The word that is assumed by listeners is placed in parenthesis, For instance, in the line "Hey to stop, (be) still, and listen to me", I believe that "to" in that line means "got to" and I believe that "be still" is meant, although "be" isn't sung.
** Japeth, and Ham, and Shem are the name of Noah's sons. I had initially written "Sam" for the name "Shem".
Hat tip to cefinow who also posted lyrics to this song on that video's viewer comment thread http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=6CLFwW85O20 after I did.
Thanks to Unknown December 16, 2020 for sharing some corrections to words I had placed in brackets in this transcription.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE JUBALAIRES
Here's information about The Jubailaires from their Wikipedia page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jubalaires
The Jubalaires were an American gospel group active during the 1940s and 1950s. They were playing as the Royal Harmony Singers in Florida as far back as 1936, and under that name reached #10 on the R&B charts on November 14, 1942 with "Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition", a song adapted from the speech of a naval chaplain in response to the attack on Pearl Harbour the previous year. In 1946, they secured a spot on Arthur Godfrey's CBS radio show. Willie Johnson left the Golden Gate Quartet to take the lead of the group in 1948, and in 1950 the band appeared in the musical comedy film Duchess of Idaho.
Much of their music was issued by King Records, some initially on their "Queen Records" label (devoted to African-American music) that was subsequently re-issued on the King label
Here's an excerpt from the uploader statement from another video of this same song:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvoTT3t-Ois
The jubilee harmonie sound always got them compared to the Mills Brothers or the Delta Rhythm Boys, but that's about like hearing Jerry Lee Lewis & because it's rock & roll saying it's like Chuck Berry.
The Jubilaires brought their own stylization to the four-part harmonies act, remaining in the gospel & spiritual camp unlike most such groups seeking pop group status. - nipsipone; Apr 27, 2008 ; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvoTT3t-Ois&feature=results_main&playnext=1&list=PL6C96C77F922F6F8E
****
SELECTED COMMENTS
Here's an interesting exchange from the featured video's viewer comment thread http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=6CLFwW85O20:
scarlett24ca - Religious Rappers! Sick! Love it:D [Posted in 2008]
**
recquilt - This type of Gospel singing as sung by the Jubalaires And The Golden Gate Quartet was known as narration...a little more of a positive message than rap though!
**
wolwerone-o I'm agree on the message, no comparison with poor rappers of today, i was only talking about their physical movements and speeching words technique incredibly actual. Great !!:)
****
RELATED LINKS
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/01/jubilee-quartet-videos-god-told.html for a video & lyrics of the very similar song "God Told Nicodemus". That post also contains additional information about The Jubalaires.
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Three Versions Of The Gospel Song "I'm A Pilgrim" - Lyrics & Comments
Uploaded by bcimasschoir on Apr 17, 2008
-snip-
The lead was sung by Paul Foster.
-snip-
The lead was sung by Paul Foster.
****
Latest revision - March21, 2023
This pancocojams post features videos and lyrics of three African American versions of the Gospel song "I'm A Pilgrim". Information about this song is also included in this post.
****
INFORMATION ABOUT "I AM A PILGRIM"
From http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=40998&messages=12 Lyr Add: I'M A PILGRIM (gospel-spiritual).
According to information posted by Dicho in 2001 on a Mudcat discussion thread about "I'm A Pilgrim", the oldest documented version of that song is from 1864 (The Southern Zion Songster, 1864, compiled by Editor, North Carolina Christian Advocate, Raleigh, NC. No author cited.)
In my opinion, the lyrics to that 1864 version of "I'm A Pilgrim" don't read like it was composed by African Americans. The words aren't written in "Black" dialect as was the case with songs by African Americans which were transcribed in the 19th century. And the song isn't given in call & response format. That Mudcat discussion forum also includes a version of "I'm A Pilgrim" from 1939. In contrast to the 1864 version, the 1939 version is written in "Black dialect". I'll add just one point about the words to that song- the 1939 version uses the "barber land" (meaning "barbarous") land instead of the phrase ("barren land") that is found in Versions #1 & #2 on this page, or the phrase "wearisome land" that is found in Version #3 on this page.
Without other comments, here are those three versions:
VERSION #1 [The video is placed at the beginning of this post]
I'M A PILGRIM
(The Soul Stirrers's version)
Chorus:
Whooo! I’m a pilgrim
[I’m a pilgrim]
And a stranger
[And a stranger]
Travelin through
[travelin through]
This ole barren land
[Barren land]
I got a home
[I got a home]
In yonder city, Lord
And I will do
The best I can
Chorus: (repeated with group responses as above)
I’m a pilgrim
Nothin but a stranger
Everyday I’m travelin
this ole barren land
But I got a home
In yonder city Lord
And I’ll do
the best I can
Verse 1
(Group humming as counterpoint to the soloist)
I’ve been tempted, Lord
I’ve been tried
I’ve been discouraged
On every side.
While travelin
through this land, Lord
Lord I’ll do
[Lord I’ll do]
the best I can.
[The best that I can]
Chorus:
Lord, I’m a pilgrim
[I’m a pilgrim]
And I’m a stranger
[I’m a stranger]
Don’t you know I’m travelin
[I’m travelin]
This ole barren land
[Barren land]
But I’m not worried
[I’m not worried]
I’ve gotta home
[I’ve got a home]
Somewhere yonder city
[In yonder city]
And I’ll do the best I can.
Verse 2:
(When I) Get to River Jordan
With the tide
I can see Canaan
on the other side
When I get there
Take my stand
Lord I’ll do
[Lord I’ll do]
The best I can
[the best that I can]
Chorus:
Lord, I am a pilgrim
Yes! Travelin through
this ole barren land
But I’m not worried
I gotta home
Somewhere in yonder city
And I’ll do
the best I can.
(Repeat the chorus)
* This is my transcription of "I'm A Pilgrim" from that video. In this transcription, the group's responses to the soloist are given in brackets. Note that the interjections like "Whoo!" and "Lord" were probably changed with each performance. I didn't attempt to write all of those interjections. I also didn't write the lyrics as they are pronounced. However, (as is usually the case with African American English), the word "a" is pronounced "ah".
****
VERSION #2: The Hawkins Family - I'm A Pilgrim
Uploaded by robtyree2135 on Jul 4, 2010
From the album "The Hawkins Family Live"
Released In 1980, Light Records
Soloists: Tramaine Hawkins, Freddie Hawkins
I'M A PILGRIM
(as sung by The Hawkins Family)*
Soloist:
Lord I’m a pilgrim
travelin through
this ole barren land
I want you to please
guide my footsteps
and please hold my hand.
Lord, I get so weary
travelin through
this land
Lord I want You to
Guide my footsteps.
And please hold my hand.
Chorus (Soloist & Choir):
Lord, guide me
As I travel
through this land
Lord, guide me.
Lord I want You to please
Hold my hand.
Soloist:
Lord I’m just awaitin
For the day to come
When I can see your face
And hear you say
“Well done”.
Chorus: (repeat 2x)
Soloist:
I can’t make it without you Lord
I can’t make it
I need you to be my guide
Please hold my hand
Please hold my hand
Soloist & Choir:
I’m a pilgrim
travelin through the land
But I need you Jesus
I said I need you Jesus
Just to hold my hand
Please hold my hand
I need you Lord
Lord I’m waitin
I’m just waitin
For the day to come
When I can see your face.
When I get to heaven
I can see Your face
And hear you say well done
Please hold my hand
I need you Lord
Please hold my hand
Please hold my hand.
* My transcription is based on that video but without the choir's interjections and without some repeats of the end refrain.
VERSION #3: The Gospel caravans i'm a pilgrim
MegaBlackisBeautiful, Uploaded on Aug 15, 2011
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ADDENDUM
There are several videos online of White vocalists singing "I'm A Pilgrim (And A Stranger) ". Here's a link to one of those videos http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC8LQ1UQO8k.
Here is the lyrics to that version as sung by White American country singer Johnny Cash:
From http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/j/johnny_cash/i_am_a_pilgrim.html
I AM A PILGRIM
I am a pilgrim and a stranger
Travelling through this wearisome land
I've got a home in that yonder city, good lord
And it's not, not made by hand
I've got a mother, sister and a brother
Who have gone this way before
I am determined to go and see them, good lord
For they're on that other shore
I'm goin' down to the river of jordan
Just to bathe my wearisome soul
If I can just touch the hem of his garment, good lord
Then I know he'd take me home
I am a pilgrim and a stranger
Travelling through this wearisome land
I've got a home in that yonder city, good lord
And it's not, not made by hand
****
A BRIEF COMPARISON OF THE LYRICS TO THESE THREE VERSIONS OF "I'M A PILGRIM"
While I love many songs sung by The Hawkins Family, in this case I strongly prefer The Soul Stirrers' rendition of "I'm A Pilgrim" to that of The Hawkins Family or to the version led by Bro Mayo. (From now on I'll use the references, Version #1, #2, and #3. These comments refer only to the lyrics and not the performances, though the way the songs were sung also influenced my preference for Version #1).
For me, the lyrics to Version #1 of "I'm A Pilgrim" was much more powerful than the other two versions. Unlike the other two versions of that song given in this post, the lyrics to Version #1 explained why the people depicted in that song considered the world to be "barren" (Verse 1). The people looked forward to going to heaven because they had a home there where life would be better than it was on earth. Knowing that they had a home in Canaan (heaven) gave them the strength to preservere, to endure, to "make it the best way they could". In spite of all of their troubles and the things that discouraged them, they weren't worried because they had the promise of a better life in their heavenly home. These people were strong in their faith.
In contrast, the people depicted in Version #2 seemed to me to be much more child-like and needy. The promise of heaven wasn't enough for them. They needed God to watch over them, to guide them, to hold their hand. However, they also were demanding of God ("Lord I want You to please/Hold my hand".) Furthermore, the reason why the people depicted in this version wanted to go to heaven was so they could see God's face and hear Him say to them "Well done". That seems rather prideful to me, especially since no reason was given in those lyrics for the belief that God would judge that they had done well in their lives.
In Version #3, both the land and the people's souls are referred to as "wearisome". However, no reason is given for either description, except perhaps for the fact that the families of those persons depicted in that version had died leaving them alone. Being reunited with their family is the reason given in the song for why the people in Version #3 want to get to heaven. In my opinion, the emphasis on being reunited with their family makes the reference to home (not made of hand or otherwise) much less powerful than the reasons why the people in Version #1 spoke of a heavenly home. And "home", heavenly or otherwise, wasn't mentioned at all in Version #2 of "I'm A Pilgrim".
I'm aware that the words to religious songs may not be as important as the spirit, intent, and the way that song is sung. However, for the record (please excuse the unintended pun), I wanted to share my thoughts on these three versions of this song.
****
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