A 1988 Song "Lord, I'm Out Here On Your Word" That Is A Gospelized Version Of Two Spirituals: "Lord I'm Out Here..." & "Fix Me"

gospelvinyl, March 1, 2019

lead: Dorothy Wheeler, track B2 on I'll Never Turn Back Again (Faith 1525)

Atlanta, GA gospel
-snip-
I'll Never Turn Back Again is the album name.

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases the 1988 recording "Lord, I'm Out Here On Your Word" sung by Rev. R.L. White, Jr. & Mount Ephraim Baptist Church Choir with lead singer, Dorothy Wheeler. 

This song is a gospelized Spiritual that actually combines two Spirituals: "Lord, I'm Out Here On Your Word" and "Fix Me".  It's possible that there are earlier Gospel songs tha combine these two Spirituals, but I'm not aware of them.

"Gospelized Spiritual" is my term for a Spiritual that is performed in a Gospel style.

A YouTube video of "Fix Me" is included in this post along with some lyrics for that song.

My partial transcription of Rev. R.L. White, Jr. & Mount Ephraim Baptist Church Choir's rendition of "Lord, I'm Out Here On Your Word" is also included in this post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Rev. R.L. White, Jr. & Mount Ephraim Baptist Church Choir and lead singer, Dorothy Wheeler for their musical legacy. Thanks also to Alfred Street Baptist Church Male Choir 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.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/10/fisk-jubilee-singers-lord-im-out-here.html for the closely related pancocojams post entitled "Fisk Jubilee Singers - "Lord, I'm Out Here On Your Word" (two sound files, information, & partial lyrics)". That post provides information about the Fisk Jubilee Singers who sung "Lord, I'm Out Here On Your Word" in the United States and in Europe in the late 19th century.

Some Jamaican Apostolic choirs sing versions of "Lord, I'm Out Here On Your Word" that combine that Spiritual with the "Fix Me" Spiritual. A pancocojams post that showcased videos of several of these choirs singing this song during church choir collection marches will be published ASAP and that link will be added here.
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LYRICS - LORD, I'M OUT HERE ON YOUR WORD [partial lyrics)* 
(as sung by Rev. R.L. White, Jr. & Mount Ephraim Baptist Church Choir)

Well, I’m out here on Your word
I’m out here on Your word
If I should die right on the battlefield
I’m out here on Your word.

I’m out here on your word
Oh yes
I’m out here on your word.
If I should die right on the battlefield
I’m out here on Your word.

I’m out here on Your word
Oh yes I am
I’m out here on your word.
If I should die right on the battlefield
I’m out here on Your word.

Well, I’m out here on Your word.
I’m out here on your word.
If I should die right on the battlefield
I’m out here on Your word.

Well, I can’t talk till you fix me right
I can’t walk till you fix me right
I can't sing til you fix me right
Fix me, Jesus!
You know how.
I’m out here on Your word.
I’m out here on Your word
I’m out here on Your word
If I should die right on the battlefield
I’m out here on Your word.

Fix me Jesus!
Fix me Lord.
Fix me Jesus!
You know how.

Fix my eyes so I can see, Lord
Fix my voice so I can talk right
Fix my hands so I can ? right.
Fix me!
Fix me!"...
-snip-
This is my partial transcription from this YouTube sound file. The question mark means that I wasn't sure of that word. I stopped transcribing around 1:47 in this sound file because the words were difficult for me to decipher. However, most of the words that I could understand appeared to follow the "Fix me!" / "fix my__ so I can __ right" pattern.

Additions and corrections are welcome.

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WHAT DOES 'OUT HERE ON YOUR WORD' MEAN IN THE CONTEXT OF THIS SONG?

The words "out here" means "being out in the world"

In the context of this Gospel song, "out here" can mean living  speaking, singing, etc. and , perhaps particularly proselytizing

"On your word" is a seldom used colloquial phrase. In the religious sense, "on your word" means based on my faith in Your Word". "Your" in that song means Jesus and "word" means what Jesus said (His teachings). 

The line "trusting in your holy word" that is found in the African American Gospel song "We've Come This Far By Faith" is another way of saying "on Your word" in its religious context. 

*The compositon date for the song "Lord, I'm Out Here On Your Word" is unknown and the composers are unknown. However, the song was sung by the Fisk Jubilee Singers when the toured the United States and Europe in the late 19th century.

In non-religious contexts, the phrase "at your word" has the similar meaning. Here's information about that phrase from https://www.dictionary.com/browse/take-someone-at-his-or-her-word :

"take someone at his or her word
Also, take someone's word for. Accept what someone says on trust, as in Since he said he'd agree to any of my ideas, I'll take him at his word, or She said she wanted to help out and I took her word for it. This idiom appeared in Miles Coverdale's translation of the Bible: “He said ... he is my brother. And the men took him shortly at his word” (I Kings 22:33). It is still so used. [1535]"

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SHOWCASE SONG #2: Fix Me Jesus - ASBC Male Chorus

  

majcpw, May 25, 2008

Alfred Street Baptist Church Male Chorus at their 43rd anniversary program "There's A Meeting Here Tonight, A Presentation About the History of the Negro Spiritual", presented on March 18th, 2007. The ASBC Drama and Liturgical Dance Ministries augmented the ASBC Male Chorus. The program featured traditional negro spirituals interspersed with historical narration and interpretive dance. This particular video is the Altar Call from the program and althrough it can stand by itself, it makes more sense when viewed after any of the videos that precede it, which can be found at the following playlist. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8j4et...

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LYRICS- FIX ME
From https://hymnary.org/text/fix_me_for_my_long_white_robe
"Representative Text

Refrain:

Oh, fix me; Oh, fix me;
Oh, fix me. Fix me, Jesus, fix me.

1 Fix me for my long, white robe;
Fix me, Jesus, fix me.
Fix me for my starry crown;
Fix me, Jesus, fix me. [Refrain]

2 Fix me for my journey home;
Fix me, Jesus, fix me.
Fix me for my dying bed;
Fix me, Jesus, fix me. [Refrain]

Source: One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism: an African American ecumenical hymnal #143"
-snip-
"Refrain" means the same thing as the word "chorus".

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WHAT DOES THE PHRASE "FIX ME" MEAN IN THE CONTEXT OF THIS AFRICAN AMERICAN SPIRITUAL

In the context of the African American Spiritual "Fix Me", those words mean "heal me", "make me whole."

From https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/resources/history-of-hymns-fix-me-jesus

History of Hymns: "Fix Me, Jesus"

Fix Me, Jesus

African-American Spiritual

The United Methodist Hymnal, No. 655.

[article published Feb. 9, 2017, no author cited]

..." This spiritual begins with the refrain, followed by two stanzas. ...The refrain is a plea to Jesus to repair one’s soul...

William Farley Smith, who arranged the setting of “Fix Me, Jesus” in The United Methodist Hymnal, suggests that the glides [Oh] should be performed as “moaning prayers” (Young, 336). “Fix me” is a cry to Jesus for healing.

Richard Newman in his collection of spirituals, Go Down, Moses: Celebrating the African-American Spiritual, provides this variant refrain:

O, fix me, Jesus, fix me right.
Fix me right, fix me right;
O, fix me, Jesus, fix me right,
Fix me so I can stand.

Newman offers this insight: “‘Fix Me, Jesus’ is a powerful African-American image, both poetically and religiously. However oppressed and cast down, the slaves sang songs of faith, confident that Jesus could ‘fix me so I can stand’” (Newman, 41)”…

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Visitor comments are welcome.

Misheard Lyrics: "There Is A BOMB In Gilead" (YouTube Comments From The Discussion Thread For Gospel SInger Karen Clark-Shield's Video "Balm In Gilead")

TheBL&S singers, Apr 15, 2012

Album- "Finally Karen" 1997
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Statistics as of September 16, 2021 at 5:13 PM ET
Total # of views 1,678,298
Total # of likes -19K
Total # of dislikes -481
Total # of comments - 2,051
  
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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a YouTube video of Karen Clark-Sheard's 1997 version of the African American Spiritual "There Is A Balm In Gilead".

This post also presents selected comments from a sub-thread in the YouTube discussion thread for Karen Clark-Sheard's live performance of "Balm In Gilead". That sub-thread began in 2016. The last quoted selected comment from that sub-thread was published on September 15, 2021. 

The Addendum to this post presents some information about the geographical location named "Gilead" and the meaning of the "balm" of "Gilead".
 
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The content of this post is presented for cultural, religious, and entertainment purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.
 
Thanks to Karen Clark-Sheard for her musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
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Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/09/misheard-lyrics-there-is-bomb-in-gilead.html for the closely related pancocojams post entitled "The Clark Sisters - "There Is A Balm In Gilead" (1986) & Karen Clark-Sheard - "Balm In Gilead" (1997)."

Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/02/examples-of-spiritual-there-is-balm-in.htm for the 2014 pancocojams post that is retitled " YouTube Examples of the African American Spiritual "There Is A Balm In Gilead" "

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PARTIAL LYRICS FOR KAREN CLARK-SHEARD'S VERSION OF THE SPIRITUAL "THERE IS A BALM IN GILEAD"
"There is a balm in Gilead.
There is a balm in Gilead.
There is a balm in Gilead
There is a balm in Gilead.

[...]

Jesus is a balm in Gilead,
He's a healer, Jesus is a balm in Gilead."...

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM a sub-thread of the discussion thread for the YouTube video that is embedded in this pancocojams post.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW0S1sowcyA&ab_channel=TheBL%26Ssingers

Numbers added for referencing purposes only.

1. BlackAmourTV, 2016
"Who else thought they said bomb in Gilead when they was young 😩😂"

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2. Travis Jazzman, 2016
"+BlackAmourTV When I was a little boy and I heard my cousin sing that song in church and I thought he was singing about a real "bomb".... LOL.... My mother explained to me using the word "balm" which I understood as I grew older was ointment for healing."

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3. Bria Samone, 2016
"lmaooo meeeeee omggg"

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4. prettid051, 2016
"me i sure did. I thought there was a bomb 💣in Gilead! Lol"

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5, Anjel Williams, 2017
"I was 26 trying to figure out how they knew how to make bombs back then until I read the title tryina find the song lol"

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6. Soleil Angel Terry, 2018
"lol guilty we use to sing this song all the time"

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7. Arina Simone, 2018
"Wait so they not saying Bomb? Cause i still sing it like that lol"

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8. M. J, 2018
"BlackAmourTV it's not that bomb; the song is called: "Balm in Gilead" haha."

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9. JT2003, 2018
"BlackAmourTV I did"

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10. TAIJAH GOODMAN, 2018
"BlackAmourTV weak laughing. raises hand"

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12. Leeya Herrera, 2018
"BlackAmourTV ✋🏽😁🤣🤣🤣🤣"

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13. applebug, 2018
"Anjel Williams Hahahah! Wow"

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14. Ike Quick, 2018
"BlackAmourTV. I sure did"

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15, dzgroove, 2018
"I thought they were sayin There is a bomb in Gillian.   I didnt get it but it sounded good.  Lol"

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16. tommy lee, 2018
"BlackAmourTV omg lol that was my first song i song in church and yes i did say bomb 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂"

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17. Sisters 4 Christ impacted to empower, 2018
"BlackAmourTV I did until today! Glad to know I wasn't the only one"

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18. CassieJazz96, 2018
"Meeeeeeeeeeeeeee lol"

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19. Terea' G, 2018
"🙋😂"

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20. 4The L0veofBeauty, 2019
"😂🤣😂"

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21. 4The L0veofBeauty, 2019
"So you never actually heard the story of the balm of Gilead 😂🤣😂😂"

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22. Harlem Antoinette Rising from the ashes, 2019
"BlackAmourTV shouting “BOMB!!!!”"

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23. Vel Boone, 2019
"LMAO... Me..😂😂😂😂🤦"

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24. SynsynVelli, 2019
"BlackAmourTV facts imagine going to Mt. Gilead Church as a child and hearing this on the way to church 😂🤣😂🤣😂"

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25. L A, 2019
"🙋🏾‍♂️😂😂😂me"

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26. Elise Kleinpeter-Baker, 2019
"Wow!!!! GOOOOODNEEEESSS!!!!!! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂LOL!!!!!!!!!IM DYING LOL"

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27. Nevaeh Figueroa, 2019
"BlackAmourTV me lol and I still am a kid I just discovered it about a week ago and then my mom is an adult (obviously) and she’s just now finding out that it’s a balm and not a bomb because I told her when I found out😂she didn’t believe me at first until I proved it to her lol"

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28. jacqueline gladden, 2019
"I DID 🤣😂"

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29. lol J, 2019
"BlackAmourTV when I was little I used to say “ Jesus is a bomb of heliummm” "

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30. mrm6464, 2019
"Man, WHO DIDN'T, man?? WHO DIDN'T?? LOL!!"

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31. Jordan Trey, 2019
"BlackAmourTV I remember asking my grandma if the bomb exploded she was so annoyed with me"

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32. Michael Jenkins, 2019
"I did!"

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33. Tyona Menzies, 2019
"Yes I was like "blow it up Jesus" 😂😂😂"

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34. Nicolas Harris, 2019
"Lol! I’m so glad I wasn’t the only one"

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35. beaniebabie, 2019
"@Nevaeh Figueroa  To be fair, the singers aren't great at enunciating. Even if you knew that words it wouldn't sound right."

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36. nubiansnowchic, 2019
"BlackAmourTV me 🤦🏿‍♀️"

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37. slady, 2019
"😂😂 That is too funny! SO thought I was the only one! I've been singing it wrong for well over 20 yrs! 😂😂"

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38. slady, 2019
"@4The L0veofBeauty  I heard the story but still thought they were saying bomb 😂😂lmbo

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39. slady, 2019
"These posts are hilarious!  😂😂😂"

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40. Lelan, 2019
"Fine u caught me😂😂"

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41. nieceypiecey100, 2020
"Sure didn’t, but did read this as a balm in Jill-lead. 🤦🏾‍♀️"

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42. rockae85, 2020
"I definitely did lol. Until my mommie (and she was a pastor) told me it was "balm". I was totally confused! I thought of lip balm then!!! #ThanksMom"

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43. Emmalea, 2020
"BlackAmourTV my young mind was like, “well don’t you think you need to be getting out of Gilead then?!” "

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44. the Christian teen, 2020
"ME"

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45. Amira Excel And Live, 2020
"I also thought they said there is a bum in Gilead when I was young😂"

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46. Darius Jackson, 2020
"Every kid thought they said JESUS IS'A  BOMBIN.....THERE IS A BOMB IN GILEAD AND I WAS SO DANG CONFUSED 😂😂😂"

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47. Darius Jackson, 2020
"@Arina Simone  same. I know it's BALM and still sing bomb...."

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48. Darius Jackson, 2020
"@4The L0veofBeauty  that's one they don't really preach on and as little kids in church you only paying attention to what they taught in Sunday School ain't nobody know what the balm was....we knew there was a bomb, inngilead"

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49. Mikaela burrell, 2020
"BlackAmourTV me I never understood what the first verse meant 🤷🏾‍♀️🤦🏾‍♀️🤣🤣🤣🤣"

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50. Ricky N, 2020
"🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I thought that was she said lol"

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51. Dee Dee, 2020
"I know I did lol"

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52. KnarriRee Chappell, 2020
"Just be singing don’t even be knowing what you saying until you hear it again"

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53. Chastity Cooper, 2020
"@Arina Simone  Balm girl lol you know like a lip balm?"

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54. E-Jay The Supreme, 2020
"I SURE DID!!!"

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55. MVP TMP, 2020
"Yes I was always like, "Well do they need help over there?" lol"

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Killerr Kaii, 2020
"56. Yasss Lol"

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57. Shauntae Wallace, 2020
"Used to be so scared 😩"

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58. Shantel Lockwood, 2020
"I did, now i feel betrayed 😐😂😫🤦🏾"

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59. Quita, 2020
"🥴😂🤣😂🤣🤣"

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60. Lauren Told, 2020
"I used to sing Jesus is the bomb in Gilead at the top of my lungs 😂😭🤣"

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61. Kileeo Rashad, 2020
"He is that too, though!!"

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Christia S., 2020
62. "I second that🤣🤣"

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63. Brent George, 2020
"BlackAmourTV definitely me until my extra bishop father had to correct and embarrassed me publicly 🙄😂😂"
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In this comment the word "extra" probably has the slang meaning "doing something above and beyond what is usually done."
 
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64. Juhlani Khino, 2020
"BlackAmourTV I. Swear I did too"

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65. Jess Tip, 2020
"Wait if it's not bomb what are they saying?"

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66. 93myj, 2020
"Think most of us did back in the day"

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67. ohawk82, 2020
"Me!! Lol there’s a 💣??"

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68. OG Suki, 2020
"Lmao me! This song is a bop so I was conflicted listening to it back then. 😂 
Like: 😌😳😳"

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69. Ryan McKinnis, 2020
"😂😂😂😂 I sho did"

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70. B Finney, 2020
"BlackAmourTV 😂 Sure did 🙌🏾"

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71. BRANDIIALIZE, 2020
"Yes when I was in youth choir."

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72. Lou Maca, 2020
"Me!! I was like "why is this song about a Bomb in Gilead and sang in churches?! Then when you really understand the song you'll know 😂"

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73. Malibu Blue, 2020
"You aint EVER LIED lol. 😂 I remember asking my Ma to play this song in the car when I was a kid. I said: "Ma can you play that BOMB in Gilead song?!" She started dying laughing lol."

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74. Celah Johnson, 2020
"If I sing this wrong in my church and I say the wrong word,  THE CHURCH WILL CLEAR OUT! 😂🤣"

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75. Ambria Elder Preston, 2020
"😂🤣😂 yup i had to look up the lyrics"

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76. Paige Washington, 2020
"Jesus is the bomb. It made sense back then with the slang. Karen knew what she was doing lol"

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77. Egged On, 2020
"@ SynsynVelli  LOL Did you try to find the bomb, too? LOL 🤣🤣😂😂😂"

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78. De'Asha Mitchell, 2020
"Me lol 😂 I was like what lol but this my song tho!"

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79. Tootie Bivens, 2020
"🤣🤣🤣🤣 I always heard 'balm'  but honestly..Jesus can also be a Bomb over there in Gilead if he want to. Wouldn't bother me one bit 🤣"

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80. Bluroc Obama, 2020
" "when they was young"!? Hell I just found out...and I'm 29."

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81. Jarvis Hodges, 2020
"🙋🏾‍♂️🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣"

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82. Darnell Douglas, 2020
"🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😢 yo I always thought you she said bomb lol"

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83. tajhan webster, 2020
"37byears old and just found out it aint bomb"

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84. Gordoyboybaby psn, 2020
"I thought it said there is a bomb in thee air 🤷🏽‍♂️😂"

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85. E B, 2020
"😭😭😭😂"

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86. Kimmie Anne, 2020
"As a kid I thought she said there is a Bum in Gilead. I’m like why is there is a bum in Gilead? 🤣🤣"

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87. David Marks, 2020
"Did they ever find that bomb? 💣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣"

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88. Asia Dabner, 2020
"I’m dying laughing"

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89. nicole4779, 2020
"🙋🏾‍♀️🙋🏾‍♀️🙋🏾‍♀️🙋🏾‍♀️🙋🏾‍♀️"

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90. nicole4779, 2020
"As a kid I thought they was saying “Jesus is Da Bomb” 😂😩🤷🏾‍♀️"

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91. LaTeasa Dale, 2020
"I thought it was bomb in here yeaaaahhhh til last week...im 38😩😩😩"

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92. Jay Bird, 2020
"Yes 90s baby I thought the same when I was a Lil boy singing it like it was weapons of mass destruction in Gilead. Bobbing my head and throwing my hands up in the air like it was house party lol."

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93. whitney houston, 2020
"@prettid051  I was tryna figure out why she was so happy about it until i got older"

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94. Brittnee Smith, 2020
"Legit thought it was bomb in Gilead!! 🤣😭🤣🤣🤣🤣"

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95. Truth be told, 2020
"Me up until 5 minutes ago"

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96. Gloria Smith, 2020
"I am old I thought she was singing bomb also until Pastor Wilson preached a sermon on  A BALM IN GILEAH"

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97. The One, 2020
"Definitely thought it was a bomb foreal lol"

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98. Sonny Chiiva, 2020
"🤣🤣🤣💯 I use to think "well what was he blowing up? " 🤣"

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99. Crystal Rivas, 2021
"We all did i just recently found out its balm and not bomb because i looked this song up"

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100. ready2learn, 2021
"Yup, I literally just searched "there is a bomb in Gilead" and then search results popped up... oh it's balm...what the heck is a balm?🤣

 

I've been singing one of my favorite songs wrong for 30 years LOL 😆"

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101. Charles Bullock, 2021
"Hahahahaha!!! Jesus is the Bomb💣💥‼☝☝☝☝ Priceless!!! 1LuvFam"

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102. Andrea Howard, 2021
"I'm 43 years old & still thought that they were saying, "bomb" until I read your comment then looked at the title....Lol!!!😆😆😆"

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103. deezonyxde77, 2021
"My bad"

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104. stacie jones, 2021
"So glad I'm not alone I still saying bomb lol"

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105. Ethel Bookert, 2021
"I always thought they said bomb 💣 😂 😂 when growing up until I realized it wasn’t saying that 😂 😂 😂"

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106. adonai yah, 2021
"Thanks to the Iraq War theres a real bomb in the gilead region"

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107. Byron Cooper, 2021
"Lol I sure did think they was saying bomb when I was young 😂😂😂"

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION CALLED "GILEAD" AND THE "BALM" OF GILEAD 
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilead
"Gilead or Gilad... is the name of three people and two geographic places in the Bible . Gilead may mean 'hill of testimony'. If this is the case, it is likely derived from גלעד gal‛êd, which in turn comes from gal ('heap, mound, hill') and ‛êd ('witness, testimony'). There also exists an alternative theory that it means 'rocky region'. It is now within the Kingdom of Jordan.

Hebrew Bible

Gilead was a mountainous region east of the Jordan River, situated in modern-day Jordan. It is also referred to by the Aramaic name Yegar-Sahadutha, which carries the same meaning as the Hebrew Gilead, namely "heap [of stones] of testimony" (Genesis 31:47–48).[4][5] According to Easton's Bible Dictionary,[5] it refers to a region in Transjordan."...

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From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balm_of_Gilead
"Balm of Gilead was a rare perfume used medicinally, that was mentioned in the Bible, and named for the region of Gilead, where it was produced. The expression stems from William Tyndale's language in the King James Bible of 1611, and has come to signify a universal cure in figurative speech. The tree or shrub producing the balm is commonly identified as Commiphora gileadensis. Some botanical scholars have concluded that the actual source was a terebinth tree in the genus Pistacia.[1

[...]

Biblical

After having cast Joseph into a pit, his brothers noticed a caravan on its way from Gilead to Egypt, "with their camels bearing spicery, and balm, and myrrh" (Gen. 37:25). When Jacob dispatched his embassy into Egypt, his present to the unknown ruler included "a little balm" (Gen. 43:11). During the final years of the Kingdom of Judah, Jeremiah asks "Is there no balm in Gilead?" (Jer. 8:22). Still later, from an expression in Ezekiel 27:17, balm was one of the commodities which Hebrew merchants carried to the market of Tyre.[3] According to I Kings 10:10, balsam (Hebrew: bosem) was among the many precious gifts of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon.[2]...
-snip-
Italics are added to highlight this sentence.

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Visitor comments are welcome.

The Clark Sisters - "There Is A Balm In Gilead" (1986) & Karen Clark-Sheard - "Balm In Gilead" (1997)

Gospel Nostalgia, January 24, 2012


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Karen Clark-Sheard"Balm In Gilead!"

TheBL&S singers, Apr 15, 2012

album- "Finally Karen" 1997

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases examples of the Clark Sisters' 1986 rendition of "There Is A Balm In Gilead" and Karen Clark-Sheard's 1997 version of the traditional African American song "There Is A Balm In Gilead"..

Information about the Clark Sisters and additional information about Karen Clark-Sheard is included in this post along with the lyrics to these versions of that traditional African American song.

These renditions are based on the African American Spiritual "There Is A Balm In Gilead".

I refer to these renditions as "gospelized Spirituals". Gospelized Spiritual is my term for Spirituals that are arranged and performed in a Gospel style. 

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.
 
Thanks to The Clark Sisters for their musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these examples from YouTube.
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2021/09/misheard-lyrics-there-is-bomb-in-gilead.html
for the closely related pancocojams post entitled "Misheard Lyrics: "There Is A BOMB In Gilead" (YouTube Comments From The Discussion Thread For Gospel SInger Karen Clark-Shield's Video "Balm In Gilead")".

Also, click  http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/02/examples-of-spiritual-there-is-balm-in.htm for the 2014 pancocojams post that is retitled " YouTube Examples of the African American Spiritual "There Is A Balm In Gilead" "

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE CLARK SISTERS
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Clark_Sisters
"The Clark Sisters are an American gospel vocal group consisting of five sisters: Jacky Clark Chisholm (born 1948), Denise "Niecy" Clark-Bradford (born 1953), Elbernita "Twinkie" Clark (born 1954), Dorinda Clark-Cole (born 1957), and Karen Clark Sheard (born 1960). 

The Clark Sisters are the daughters of pioneering gospel musician and choral director Dr. Mattie Moss Clark. They are credited for helping to bring gospel music to the mainstream and are considered as pioneers of contemporary gospel. Their biggest hits include: "Is My Living in Vain", "Praise the Lord (Hallelujah)", "I Can Do All Things Through Christ That Strengthens Me", "A Praying Spirit", "Nothing to Lose, All to Gain", "Endow Me", "Jesus is a Love Song", "Ha-Ya (Eternal Life)", "Pure Gold", "Expect Your Miracle", and their biggest, mainstream crossover hit, "You Brought the Sunshine". As a group, The Clark Sisters have won three Grammy Awards[1] and are the highest-selling female gospel group in history.[2] In 2020, it was announced the Clark Sisters would be honored with the James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award at the 35th Annual Stellar Awards.[3]

[...]

Early years

The Clark Sisters were born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, to world-renowned gospel choir director and musician Dr. Mattie Moss Clark. Dr. Clark was married twice: her first marriage in 1945 to Leo H. Cullum, Sr. produced two children, Leo, Jr. and Jacqueline (Jacky). After her divorce, she met and later married Pastor Elbert Clark in 1952. This marriage produced four daughters: Denise, Elbernita (Twinkie), Dorinda, and Karen. They each began singing at an early age in the choir at their father's Church of God in Christ, and by the late 1960s they were all performing together in church services, usually singing songs written and arranged by their mother.[4] Shortly after the Clarks' divorce in 1973, Dr. Clark formally created "the Clark Sisters" and the sisters recorded their first album, Jesus Has A Lot To Give, on their uncle (their mother's younger brother) Bill Moss' local label Billesse Records.[5] The first television appearance of the Clark Sisters was on TV Gospel Time. [6]

The following year, Dr. Mattie Moss Clark Presents the Clark Sisters was released and people around Detroit began to take notice of the group. The Clark Sisters signed to Sound of Gospel Records in 1974. Under this association, the group released albums such as Unworthy, Count It All Joy, and He Gave Me Nothing to Lose, which hit the top 20 of the Billboard Spiritual LPs chart.[7][8] By this point, Dr. Clark had turned over control of the group to Twinkie, who continued to write, arrange, conduct, and produce all of the Clark Sisters' recordings. Their popularity soared with the release of the live recording Is My Living in Vain, in 1980. Their debut live recording was first ranked on the 1981 Billboard Spiritual Albums year-end chart at number 21, before topping the year-end Spiritual Albums chart of 1982.

[...]

Also known as The Dynamic Clark Sisters (1980)

The Legendary Clark Sisters (2017-Present)"....

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INFORMATION ABOUT KAREN CLARK-SHEARD

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karen_Clark_Sheard
"Karen Valencia Clark Sheard (née Clark; born November 15, 1960) is an American Grammy Award-winning Gospel singer, musician, songwriter, and business woman. Clark-Sheard is the wife of the current Church of God in Christ Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard and she serves as the current First Lady of the COGIC denomination. Clark–Sheard is best known as the youngest member of influential gospel group the Clark Sisters. Clark–Sheard is also the mother of contemporary gospel singer and actress Kierra "Kiki" Sheard. She has released five solo albums, seventeen with the Clark Sisters and collaborated with her son J.Drew Sheard II and her daughter Kierra Sheard.

During the hiatus of the Clark Sisters, Clark–Sheard rose to fame after she recorded her critically acclaimed and much anticipated solo album Finally Karen, which spawned her hit, "Balm in Gilead" (a re-recording of a song she originally recorded as part of the Clark Sisters back in the 1980s for their Heart & Soul album) the R&B-flavored "Just For Me" and "Nothing Without You" – a contemporary duet with R&B diva Faith Evans. Finally Karen became one of the most successful gospel albums of 1998 earning Sheard a Grammy nomination and earning her a Soul Train Lady of Soul Award for "Best Female Vocalist"[2]

After her debut album success and much touring, Clark–Sheard was hospitalized in 2001 after one of her blood vessels burst during a cosmetic procedure, resulting in doctors giving her a 2% chance of survival. Her testimony inspired the title name for her long-awaited sophomore project, 2nd Chance released in 2002. Clark–Sheard recorded two more live albums, including The Heavens Are Telling and It's Not Over (which featured some studio recordings), before releasing All in One, Clark–Sheard's first all-studio-recorded album in 13 years. The album debuted at #2 on the U.S. Billboard Gospel Chart and #98 on Billboard's Top 200 albums chart, while its first single "Prayed Up" has so far peaked at #9 on the U.S. Billboard Gospel Songs chart.[3]"...

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LYRICS- THERE IS A BALM IN GILEAD
(Twinkie Clark, Traditional)
 
I know one who cares, found in him piece of mind
I know one who cares, found a friend so loving kind

I know a man who cares, found in him piece of mind
I know a man who's there, found a friend so loving kind,

There is a Balm in Gilead [4x]

Medicine used in the bible days to heal the sick and take the pain away [2x]

There is a Balm in Gilead, There is a Balm [4x]
Repeat There is a Balm in Gilead [4x]

He healed the sick and he raised the dead, 5,000 hungry souls he fed [2x]

If theres a need in your life today, just look to jesus he'll brighten your day [2x]

If theres love you need today, just look to jesus he'll brighten your day,

If theres joy you need today, jesus will send it your way.

Jesus is a Balm in Gilead, removed the tomb the third day and rose from the grave,

he took the keys of death hell and the grave, laid the foundation open up the way. [2x]

There is a Balm in Gilead

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LYRICS- BALM IN GILEAD

(Writers: E. Clark, (Twinkie Clark), Traditional)

[Verse 1:]

There is a balm in Gilead.
There is a balm in Gilead.
There is a balm in Gilead
There is a balm in Gilead.

(There is a balm in Gilead).
(There is a balm in Gilead).
(There is a balm in Gilead).
(There is a balm in Gilead).

[Chorus:]
Oh, there is a balm in Gilead,
There is a balm,
Hey, hey, hey, there is a balm.
There is a balm,
Hey, hey, hey, there is a balm.

[Verse 2:]

Medicine used in the Bible days
To heal the sick and take the pain away.
Medicine used in the Bible days
To heal the sick and take the pain away.

(Medicine used in the Bible days)
(to heal the sick and take the pain away).
(Medicine used in the Bible days)
(to heal the sick and take the pain away).

[Chorus]

[Bridge:]

(Jesus is a balm in Gilead),
(He's a healer, Jesus is a balm in Gilead).
Jesus is a balm in Gilead,
He's a healer, Jesus is a balm in Gilead.

Jesus is a balm in Gilead,
He's a healer, Jesus is a balm.

[Chorus]

[Vamp:]

There is a balm,
Hey, hey, hey, there is a balm.
There is a balm,
Hey, hey, hey, there is a balm.

[Ending:]

There is a balm.

Online source: https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/karenclarksheard/balmingilead.html

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Visitor comments are welcome. 

Examples Of The Spiritual "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" & The Gospel Songs "Swing Down Chariot & Let Me Ride" and "Take A Ride"

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series that showcases the African American Spiritual "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" and two of its Gospel forms: "Swing Down Chariot & Let Me Ride" and "Take A Ride".

Part I of this series showcases YouTube examples of the Spiritual "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" as well as videos of the Gospel song "Swing Down Chariot & Let Me Ride" and The Gospel song "Take A Ride". Links to the lyrics for these songs are included in this post.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/03/old-school-african-american-gospel-song.html Part II of this series showcases another YouTube video of the Gospel song "Take A Ride" and includes the lyrics to that song. Selected comments from that video's discussion thread are included in that post, with a focus on the use of the African American Vernacular English word "sang" which means "to sing very well, and especially to sing soulfully very well".

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Wallis Willis, a Black man who was a Choctaw [Native American] freedman, who is documented as the composer of the song "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot". Thanks to all those who composed Gospel songs that are based on the song "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot". Thanks to all those who are featured in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
-snip-
Click the "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" tag for previous pancocojams posts about this African American Spiritual.

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TWO YOUTUBE EXAMPLES OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN SPIRITUAL "SWING LOW, SWEET CHARIOT"
Example #1: "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" (1958)- The Caravans



JayEm86, May 21, 2008

"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot", originally from the "Mary Don't You Weep" LP, with Albertina Walker and Shirley Caesar providing lead vocals. This is Shirley Caesar's first recording session with the Caravans, beginning a career that would launch her, as well as fellow Caravans Inez Andrews, Albertina Walker, and Delores Washington into some of the most successful and influential solo gospel artists of the past 50 years (1958-2008).
-snip-
Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swing_Low,_Sweet_Chariot for information about Wallis Willis, the composer of the Spiritual "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" (as well as the composer of the Spiritual "Steal Away". Note: I believe that these are the only African American Spirituals that have an identified composer.

The traditional lyrics to "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" are also included in that Wikipedia article.

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Example #2: "Swing Low Chariot"- Clara Ward Singers



Rowoches, Aug 15, 2008

*DISCLAIMER- I don't own the rights to this video. This is just a fan post, sharing history with all who want to learn*
Clara Ward and her singers raise the roof with this rendition of "Swing Low Chariot" in this video. Y'all go head on!

From left to right: Malvilyn Statham (tambourine), Vermettya Royster, Clara Ward (lead), Adele Schofield, and Geraldine Jones. Viola Crowley is on piano. Bernard Davis on the organ.

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THREE YOUTUBE EXAMPLES OF "SWING DOWN CHARIOT AND LET ME RIDE"
Video #1: [Gospel song]

The Staple Singers -Let Me Ride



The Staple Singers, Jul 30, 2018

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group

Let Me Ride · The Staple Singers

Uncloudy Day & Will The Circle Be Unbroken?

℗ 1960 Concord Music Group, Inc.
-snip-
Click https://www.metrolyrics.com/swing-down-chariot-lyrics-the-staple-singers.html for the lyrics for the song "Swing Down Chariot And Let Me Ride".

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Video #2 - [Funk/Gospel music]

Parliament Funkadelic - Swing Down Sweet Chariot - Mothership Connection - Houston 1976



GravityLimited , Jul 24, 2010

http://gravityworld.tv/Video_Content/

It was Halloween night and Parliament Funkadelic was about to tear the roof off the Houston Summit, ready to bless the crowd with their cosmic brew of interplanetary funk. George Clinton, Bernie Worrell, Bootsy Collins and the rest of the P-Funk collective were riding the success of their first Top 5 R&B hit, "Give Up The Funk (Tear The Roof Off The Sucker)," a track that had earned them the kind of radio play that
would bring the masses out to see them live in a stadium-sized arena. The group was only five dates into the tour when they arrived in Houston, but they were definitely ready to take it to the stage for an out-of-this-world show like no other.

Taped on October 31, 1976, these seldom-seen performances at the Houston Summit represent Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic in their ʼ70s prime, in the era of their Mothership Connection and The Clones Of Dr. Funkenstein LPs—a rare opportunity for everyone to get their proper dose of The P-Funk.

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Video #3 [American Movie Clip: Spiritual/Gospel]

swing low beyonce



Ronie Batiste, Jun 25, 2011

beyonce killed it
-snip-
This scene is from the movie The Fighting Temptations.
Here’s information about that movie from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fighting_Temptations
"The Fighting Temptations is a 2003 American musical comedy film directed by Jonathan Lynn, written by Elizabeth Hunter and Saladin K. Patterson, and distributed by Paramount Pictures and MTV Films. The main plot revolves around Darrin Hill (Cuba Gooding Jr.) who travels to his hometown of Monte Carlo, Georgia as he attempts to revive a church choir in order to enter a gospel competition with the help of a beautiful lounge singer, Lilly (Beyoncé), with whom he falls in love.[1] Through the choir's music, Darrin brings the church community back together all the while seeking a relationship with Lilly.

The film is notable for its soundtrack and ensemble cast. The film received mixed reviews upon release."...

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EXAMPLES OF THE GOSPEL SONG "TAKE A RIDE"
Example #1: Take a Ride



The Spiritual Voices of Washington, Dc – Topic, Oct 23, 2015

Take a Ride · The Spiritual Voices of Washington, Dc

Satisfied

℗ 2008 CHEVELA GARVIN

-snip-
This video is copyrighted to Chevela Garvin 2008. Several commenters in another YouTube video for this song (that is showcased in Part II of this pancocojams series) wrote that Chevela The Spiritual Voices of Washington, Dc were the original group that recorded this song.

"Satisfied" may be the title of that album.

The lyrics for this song are included in Part II of this pancocojams series.

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Example #2: Chevela and The Spiritual Voices


Long Live Pat Seigler Mar 23, 2017

Live at Gma Pat Benefit Concert!

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This concludes Part I of this two part pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Eight Gospel Versions Of "Soon I Will Be Done (With The Troubles Of The World"

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a two part pancococojams series on the African American religious song "Soon I Will Be Done" (with the troubles of the world").

This post showcases eight YouTube Gospel renditions of "Soon I Will Be Done" (also given as "Trouble Of The World").

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2019/09/early-published-versions-of-african.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. Part I provides information about the early publication history of the Spiritual which is now known as "Soon I Will Be Done" (with the trouble of the world). Some text only examples of these early versions or for related early Spirituals are also included in this post. These comments and most of these lyric examples are quoted from a discussion thread for the Mudcat folk music forum.

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 "Soon I Will Be Done" (With The Troubles Of The World). Thanks to all the early collectors and publishers of "Soon I Will Be Done" and other Spirituals and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to all those who are featured in these YouTube examples and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
"Soon I Will Be Done" [with the trouble of the world] is a traditional African American Spiritual whose composer/s is/are unknown. The earliest published date for a version of "Soon I Will Be Done" is 1907.

These embedded sound files and videos are examples of what I call "Gospelized Spirituals". "Gospelized Spirituals are they are examples of a traditional African American Spirituals that are sung in different African American Gospel styles.

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SHOWCASE YOUTUBE EXAMPLES
Example #1: Morning Star Mass Choir - Soon I Will Be Done With The Troubles Of The World



Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church of Shreveport, La

Early 90s, Mar 22, 2007

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Example #2: Trouble of This World - Abbot Kinney Lighthouse Choir



Leif Glöckner, May 15, 2009

Do filme "Matadores de Velhinhas".

Ótimo louvor Gospel.

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Example #3: Maella Spires- Troubles of The World



TheTowodisharpe, Mar 18, 2010

Maella Spires, of the Selah Gospel Singers, sings the soul stirring classic Troubles of the World at the Christian Tabernacle Church in Washington D.C. Mahalia would have been proud.

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Example #4: Rev.James Cleveland- Soon I Will Be Done



King Brian, Feb 27, 2011

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Example #5: Mahalia Jackson-Trouble Of The World



Walter Robinson Oct 25, 2011

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Example #6: "Soon I Will Be Done" (1979) Betty Perkins



Gospel Nostalgia, Apr 10, 2012

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Example #7: Made New - "Soon I Will Be Done"



Troy Marables, Jan 20, 2014
City of Jeffersonville 2014 MLK Celebration

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Example #8: Soon I'll Be Done With The Troubles Of The World - The Five Blind Boys



Tony Lamar, Apr 24, 2016

The Original Five Blind Boys of Mississippi
Album: "I'll Go"
Track 10

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This concludes Part II of this two part pancocojams series on "Soon I Will Be Done".

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Fisk Jubilee Singers' 1909 Sound File Of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" (with three other renditions of this Spiritual)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part II of a three part pancocojams series about The Fisk Jubilee Singers.

Part II presents information about "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" and provides the standard lyrics for this Spiritual.

This post also showcases a 1909 sound file of The Fisk Jubilee Singers' rendition of "Swing Low Sweet Chariot". Additional examples of this song are also showcased in this post for comparison purposes.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2018/11/online-excerpts-about-early-history-of.html for Part I of this series. Part I presents several online excerpts about the early history of The Fisk Jubilee Singers.

Part III showcases a 1909 sound file of The Fisk Jubilee Singers' rendition of "O Lord, I've Done What You Told Me To Do" riot". Additional examples of this song are also showcased in this post for comparison purposes. Two versions of lyrics for this song are also included in this post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the original Fisk Jubilee Singers for their musical legacy, and thanks to all those who are featured in YouTube examples that are embedded in this post. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these YouTube examples.
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Visit YouTube to view contemporary videos of this choral group that is part of Fisk University, a private historically Black university in Nashville, Tennessee.

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INFORMATION ABOUT "SWING LOW, SWEET CHARIOT"
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swing_Low,_Sweet_Chariot
""Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" is an African American* Spiritual. The earliest known recording was in 1909, by the Fisk Jubilee Singers of Fisk University.

In 2002, the Library of Congress honored the song as one of 50 recordings chosen that year to be added to the National Recording Registry. It was also included in the list of Songs of the Century, by the Recording Industry Association of America and the National Endowment for the Arts.

History
"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" may have been written by Wallis Willis, a Choctaw freedman in the old Indian Territory in what is now Choctaw County, near the County seat of Hugo, Oklahoma sometime after 1865. He may have been[weasel words] inspired[citation needed] by the Red River, which reminded him of the Jordan River and of the Prophet Elijah's being taken to heaven by a chariot (2 Kings 2:11). Some sources[1][2] claim that this song and "Steal Away"[3] (also sung by Willis) had lyrics that referred to the Underground Railroad, the freedom movement that helped black people escape from Southern slavery to the North and Canada.

Alexander Reid, a minister at the Old Spencer Academy, a Choctaw boarding school, heard Willis singing these two songs and transcribed the words and melodies. He sent the music to the Jubilee Singers of Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. The Jubilee Singers popularized the songs during a tour of the United States and Europe.

The song enjoyed a resurgence during the 1960s Civil Rights struggle and the folk revival; it was performed by a number of artists. Perhaps the most famous performance during this period was that by Joan Baez during the legendary 1969 Woodstock festival.

Oklahoma State Senator Judy Eason McIntyre from Tulsa proposed a bill nominating "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" as the Oklahoma State official gospel song in 2011. The bill was co-sponsored by the Oklahoma State Black Congressional Caucus. Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin signed the bill into law on May 5, 2011, at a ceremony at the Oklahoma Cowboy Hall of Fame; making the song the official Oklahoma State Gospel Song.[citation needed]

Traditional lyrics
Chorus:
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home

I looked over Jordan, and what did I see?
(Coming for to carry me home)
A band of angels coming after me
(Coming for to carry me home)

Chorus:
If you get there before I do
(Coming for to carry me home)
Tell all of my friends, that I'm coming there too
(Coming for to carry me home)

Chorus (3×)"...
-snip-
*The Wikipedia page for this song [on November 6, 2018] refer to this song as an "American negro spiritual". I've changed that referent to "African American spiritual" because African American is the formal referent that has been most often used (since at least the early 1970s)most often for the population that was referred to as "American Negroes". Also, spelling "Negro" with a small "n" is generally considered (by African Americans and many others) to be highly offensive.

Also note that this is the only African American Spiritual that I know of which has an identified probable composer. To my knowledge, composers for all the other African American Spirituals are given as "unknown".
-snip-
Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Swing_Low,_Sweet_Chariot for a discussion of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot".

A commenter posting to that page notes that 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' "refers to 2 Kings 2:1. (Prophet Elijah being taken up to heaven by a chariot)."

Also, commenters on that page discuss the custom of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" being sung by attendees of United Kingdom rugby games.

A pancocojams post about this custom will be published ASAP and its link will be added here.

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EXCERPT ABOUT THE FISK JUBILEE SINGERS' RECORDING OF "SWING LOW, SWEET CHARIOT"
From https://www.loc.gov/programs/static/national-recording-preservation-board/documents/Swing%20Low%20article.pdf "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”—The Fisk University
Jubilee Quartet (1909)"
Added to the National Registry: 2002
Essay by Toni P. Anderson (guest post)
"In December 1909, the Fisk University Jubilee Quartet, a male foursome carrying on the legacy of the original Fisk Jubilee Singers of the 1870s, entered the Victor Studios in Camden, New Jersey, to record 12 songs chosen from their concert repertory. Ten of the songs would
eventually be released on five different discs. Among the titles was “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” one of the best-known and beloved Negro spirituals now firmly established in the canon of American folksong. In just one or two takes per title, the Victor recording captured the
quartet’s rich blend and sophisticated performance style. These were the first recordings of the artistic, concert versions of spirituals associated with Fisk University and its accomplished musicians.

The unaccompanied recording of the quartet showcased the talent of four Fiskites: John Wesley Work II (1st tenor), James Andrew Myers (2nd tenor), Alfred Garfield King (1st bass), and Noah Ryder (2nd bass). By the time of the 1909 recording session, Fisk University had earned a
reputation as being the “music conservatory” for aspiring black artists, primarily due to the immense fame of the original Fisk Jubilee Singers, who toured in the interest of the university from 1871-1878. Known for their precise, tight harmony, emotional pathos, and refined stage deportment, the Jubilee Singers, under the direction of George L. White and Ella Sheppard, presented a cultivated version of the spiritual to audiences throughout America and Europe."

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SHOWCASE EXAMPLES
Example #1: Swing Low Sweet Chariot - Fisk Jubilee Singers (1909)



Nathaniel Jordon, Published on Dec 22, 2012

Swing Low Sweet Chariots earliest known recording is of the Fisk Jubilee Singers in 1909. The song is at least 103 years old, but it is still known by most people. Note- the huge church-like building you see as the third picture is the home of the Fisk Jubilee Singers.

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Example #2: Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" (1958)- The Caravans



JayEm86, Published on May 21, 2008

"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot", originally from the "Mary Don't You Weep" LP, with Albertina Walker and Shirley Caesar providing lead vocals. This is Shirley Caesar's first recording session with the Caravans, beginning a career that would launch her, as well as fellow Caravans Inez Andrews, Albertina Walker, and Delores Washington into some of the most successful and influential solo gospel artists of the past 50 years (1958-2008).

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Example #3: Dixie Hummingbirds ---Swing Low Sweet Chariot



nipsipone, Published 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).
-snip-
Notice that the Dixie Hummingbirds include part of the Gospel song "Swing Down, Chariot" (And Let Me Ride") in their rendition of "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot".

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/09/five-examples-of-swing-down-sweet.html for a pancocojams post on the song "Swing Down, Chariot".

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Example #4: PAUL ROBESON SWING LOW SWEET CHARIOT



sarastrone, Published on Oct 28, 2010

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This concludes Part II of this pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Five Examples Of The African American Religious Song "Jesus Is A Rock In A Weary Land"

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases examples of the African American Spiritual/Gospel song "Jesus Is A Rock In A Weary Land".

I categorize these examples as gospelized* arrangements of a Spiritual.

Lyrics for this song are included in this post. The tune for many of these examples is the same tune that is used for "Joshua Fit the Battle Of Jericho". ("Fit" here means "fought.")

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the composer/s and arrangers of this song and thanks to all those who are featured in these embedded examples. Thanks also to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.
-snip-
*By "gospelized song" I mean a song that is based on an African American Spiritual and sung in an African American Gospel style.

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LYRICS: JESUS IS A ROCK IN A WEARY LAND
Example #1:
"CHORUS
Jesus is a rock in a weary land!
A weary land! A weary land!
Jesus is a rock in a weary land,
A shelter in the time of storm!
[repeat]

(sopranos)
I would not be a sinner,
I’ll tell you the reason why
I’m afraid my Lord might call my name
And I wouldn’t be ready to die.

CHORUS

(tenors)
I would not be a backslider,
I’ll tell you the reason why
I’m afraid my Lord might call my name
And I wouldn’t be ready to die

He is a rock!
In a weary land!
He is a rock!
In a weary land!
He is a rock!
In a weary land!
A shelter in the time of storm!

Has He ever made a way, when you didn’t have a dime?
Has He ever stepped in just right on time?
Has He ever picked you up when you were down?
Has He ever placed your feet on solid ground?
Then you know He is a rock in a weary land!
Weary land! Weary land!
Then you know He is a rock in a weary land!
Shelter in the time of storm!
[repeat all as directed]

Source: http://web.mit.edu/mitgoscho/www/lyrics/Jesus%20is%20a%20Rock.pdf

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ADDITIONAL LYRIC EXAMPLES FOR AND COMMENTS ABOUT "JESUS IS A ROCK IN A WEARY LAND" [added July 1, 2018 5:40 PM EDT]
From https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=17722
1. "Subject: ADD: My God He Is a Rock
From: Joe Offer
Date: 02 Feb 00 - 09:02 PM

Well, I was hoping somebody had this typed up already. Here's a transcription. Alison, did you say you can post a tune?
-Joe Offer-

MY GOD, HE IS A ROCK
(believed to be traditional)
CHORUS:
My God, he is a rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land.
My God, he is a rock in a weary land,
Shelter in a time of storm.

Stop! Let me tell you about Chapter One,
When the Lord God's work had just begun.

Stop! Let me tell you about Chapter Two,
When the Lord God read the Bible through.

Stop! Let me tell you about Chapter Three,
When the Lord my God died on Calvary.
CHORUS

Stop! Let me tell you about Chapter Four,
When the Lord God lived among the poor.

Stop! Let me tell you about Chapter Five,
When the Lord God brought the dead alive.

Stop! Let me tell you about Chapter Six,
When he went to Jerusalem, he healed the sick.
CHORUS

Stop! Let me tell you about Chapter Seven,
When the Lord God died and went to heaven.

Stop! Let me tell you about Chapter Eight,
When the Lord, he stood at the pearly gate.

Stop! Let me tell you about Chapter Nine,
When the Lord God changed the water to wine.

Stop! Let me tell you about Chapter Ten,
Well, the Lord my God, he's a-comin' again."
CHORUS

(transcribed from "Sara," an album by Sara Gray)
JRO

**
2. "Subject: Lyr Add: A SHELTER IN THE TIME OF STORM
From: Nathan in Texas
Date: 11 Feb 00 - 10:31 PM

Here's a related hymn that I grew up with. You can hear the tune at the Cyberhymnal site.
A Shelter in the Time of Storm

Words: Vernon J. Charlesworth, circa 1880.
Music: Ira David Sankey, circa 1885

The Lord's our Rock, in Him we hide,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

Refrain
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A shelter in the time of storm.

A shade by day, defense by night,
A shelter in the time of storm;
No fears alarm, no foes afright,
A shelter in the time of storm.

Refrain
The raging storms may round us beat,
A shelter in the time of storm
We'll never leave our safe retreat,
A shelter in the time of storm.

Refrain
O Rock divine, O Refuge dear,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Be Thou our helper ever near,
A Shelter in the time of storm.
Refrain"

**
3. "Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My God He Is a Rock
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 02 Dec 03 - 11:10 AM

Hey, Joe:

We sing this in our Men's Chorus... at least a version of it. except it is:

Jesus is a rock in a weary land, a weary land, a weary land
Jesus is a rock in a weary land, a shelter in the time of storm

And then there is a half spoken section:

Has he ever made a way when you didn't have a dime?
Has he ever stepped in just right on time?
Has he ever picked you up when you were down?
Has he ever placed your feet on solid ground

And then you go into:

Then you know he is a rock in a weary land....

The song ends with the choir singing parts and answering each other, basically singing:

Jesus is a rock, and he is my shelter in the time of storm
Yeah!, in a weary land, a shelter in the time of storm

Our Chorus Director grew up in Mississippi and many of the songs we do are remembered from his childhood. Most are different than any texts I find in books..

Jerry"
-snip-
As a former blogger on this Mudcat forum, I can document from information shared on that forum that Jerry Rasmussen is/was the only White member of this Gospel group. The other members are/were African American.

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SHOWCASE EXAMPLES:
These examples are presented based on their publishing date on YouTube with the oldest dated example given first. The example given as is the "traditional" rendition of this song.

Example #1: Jesus Is A Rock by The Georgia Mass Choir [sound file]



robbieatnsudotcom, Published on Jan 14, 2010

Hello everyone and Happy New Year. This video I've posted comes from down south, Georgia to be exact. I have The Georgia Mass Choir's "Jesus Is a Rock" from their CD "Greatest Hits" compiled back in 1996. This song is definitely a Southern Gospel song, made for those who like to have that good ol' fashioned church music. I do not own this music, nor am I seeking publicity or monetary gains. The lyrics are on the video for those who want to follow or learn the song. And if there are any requests, I will try to upload one for you. Take care and God Bless!!

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Example #2: Jesus Is A Rock In A Weary Land



First United Tabernacle International Ministries, Published on Apr 7, 2016

Men's Conference 2016
Sunday Morning Divine Worship Service
March 20th
-snip-
This video shows some members of First United Tabernacle International Ministries singing during a processional during the Sunday morning worship service. First United Tabernacle International Ministries is an Apostolic church in Orange, New Jersey. Orange is located in northern New Jersey, which is about 1/2 hour by car from New York City.

Based on other videos of this church, my guess is that this processional was during the church offering. Click the Black Church Processions for additional videos of this worship custom.

Unfortunately, as of this date, there are no comments in this video's discussion thread.
-snip-
The choir/congregation sings the refrain to this song numerous times:

Jesus is a rock in a weary land,
a weary land, a weary land;
My Jesus is a rock in a weary land,
a shelter in the time of storm.

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Example #3: Jesus is a Rock in a Weary Land (SATB) - Mark Hayes



The Lorenz Corporation, Published on Jun 2, 2016

Hang on tight, because once this one starts, it doesn’t stop! Appropriate for a wide variety of settings, Mark Hayes’s arrangement of the traditional spiritual is full of energy, drive, and varied call-and-response sections that will create and maintain excitement.

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Example #4: Jesus Is A Rock In A Weary Land - David W. Carter Choir



Dallas ISD, Published on Jan 18, 2017

David W. Carter Choir directed by Demetrius Ethley including the Vocal Ensemble I, II, Men's Choir, Mixed Choir, and the Women's Choir.
"Jesus Is A Rock In A Weary Land" lyrics Vernon J. Charlesworth, circa 1880, music Ira D. Sankey, circa 1885.

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Example #5: "Jesus Is A Rock In The Weary Land" Anthony Brown w/ Young Adult Choir (amazing)



Inside FBCG, Published on Feb 25, 2017

First Baptist Church of Glenarden, http://fbcglenarden.org
Pastor John K. Jenkins Sr. @JKJenkins
-snip-
In the introduction to this song, the choir director repeated used the phrase "brought us over" (as in "songs that brought us over"). I think that phrase means "brought us through"- helped us persevere.)

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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

The Staple Singers - "I'm Coming Home" ("Tell Heaven") sound file, lyrics, and comments

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post provides general information about The Staple Singers and showcase the Gospel song "I'm Coming Home" (aka "Tell Heaven").

A video of a version of that song as performed by The Staple Singers is also included in this post along with a transcription of the lyrics for that version and comments about that song by the transcriber.

Selected comments from that YouTube sound file's discussion thread 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 Staple Singers for their musical legacy.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this sound file on YouTube.

Special thanks to Amy Shacklett for introducing me to this song and for sharing her transcription and comments about The Staple Singers' "I'm Coming Home" (aka "Tell Heaven")

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE STAPLE SINGERS
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Staple_Singers
"The Staple Singers were an American gospel, soul and R&B singing group. Roebuck "Pops" Staples (1914–2000), the patriarch of the family, formed the group with his children Cleotha (1934–2013), Pervis (b. 1935), and Mavis (b. 1939). Yvonne (b. 1936) replaced her brother when he was drafted into the U.S. Army, and again in 1970. They are best known for their 1970s hits "Respect Yourself", "I'll Take You There", "If You're Ready (Come Go with Me)", and "Let's Do It Again", which with one exception ("I'll Take You There") peaked on the Hot 100 within a week from Christmas Day.

While the family name is Staples, the group used "Staple" commercially."...

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SHOWCASE SOUND FILE: I'm Coming Home - The Staple Singers (1959)



Birtiedu, Nov. 21, 2013

The Staple Singers - I'm Coming Home originally released in 1959. Soundtrack in FX' Sons of Anarchy season 6 episode 11
-snip-
Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paBdkQI9gNM for a different rendition of this song by The Staple Singers with the song title "Tell Heaven". That version was "recorded live at Chicago's New Nazareth Church" [date?].
-snip-
Here are selected comments from the discussion thread for a YouTube sound file of this song that was showcased in this post, but is no longer available :
Comments are numbered for referencing purposes only.
2011
1. Ravily .gauthier
"Thanks for this gift . It is pure love ."

****
2012
2. geodiomio
"so beautiful it's angelic . thank you for blessing us all with this gift."

**
3. wringinitout9
"A girl so young having a voice like that, AMAZING, VINTAGE, I LOVE IT. HarmOzise POPS' AND sisters, This ia a song, that rocks the soul and all the spritual essence of life. I have been loving them since the very first time people would, now try this, sing this, I felL in love with CLEOTHA MY SISTA, REST WITH OUR LORD AND SAVIOR. Sing on Mavis, with your raspy voice, have mercy!! LADY U R THE STUFF!"

**
4. genesclean1
"Rest In Peace Cleedy ~"I credit Pops' guitar and Cleedy's voice with making our sound so different," Mavis Staples said. "Her high voice -- Pops would take her to a minor key a lot. A lot of singers would try to sing like her..' Her voice would just ring in your ear. It wasn't harsh or hitting you hard, it was soothing. . The way we sang was the way Pops and his brothers and sisters would sing down in Mississippi. Those were the voices they would use to sing after dinner out on the gallery.""

****
2013
5. Anthony McCarthy
"An absolute masterpiece of spiritual art."

**
6. mondovb
"Frightening, and frightenly awesome. Why this tune, not to mention this entire family, is still something of an "insider secret" after all of these years, is beyond me, despite all of the critical recognition they've received since.

Lucky for the rest of us that Mavis is still belting it out today - more power to her!"

**
7. Maggie Rae
"I love the Staple Singers, I love this song, and I love Mavis's voice."

** 
8. marksil00
"The power behind that woman's voice is overwhelming. She sings about hell, and then tells you how to get to heaven. Thank You for posting this masterpiece."

**
9. Freeknowledgefan
"This is an absolute masterpiece. From Mr. Staples' first note right to the end. He is one of my favorite guitarists, so few notes but every one of them is so full of meaning. The arrangement is superb and the singing amazingly good."

****
2014
10. zaihiraray
"A Righteous vocal delivery from Gospel singers extraordinaire. Mavis takes it to church.. Amen and Hallelujah... I believe that she has such a gifted vocal talent
and uses it well. Along with the rest of the family. A performance of truly inspirational upliftment.YAY, I am coming home."

****
2015
11. olsonjk2
"An incredible vocal performance by 19 yr old Mavis. Absolutely mesmerizing. That voice is literally from above."

**
12. Flora Bunda
"The best, most powerful version I've ever heard. And it goes on and on and on. Such a joy. Full of emotion; passion, moved by the spirit, and of course gorgeous singing, harmonies. I've looked around for lyrics, and even those allegedly by the Staple Singers don't contain all the verses sung here. Some verses from other gospel songs are incorporated it seems (eg: I don't know but I've been told; streets of heaven are paved with gold." Need to listen to it a lot more and figure out more of the verses.."

**
13. TheFizz40
"Brilliant. Joplin always said Mavis was her biggest influence. This makes it plain."
-snip-
"Joplin" = American singer Janis Joplin

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COMMENTS ABOUT AND TRANSCRIPTION OF A VERSION OF THE STAPLE SINGERS' "I'M COMING HOME" (also known as "TELL HEAVEN') from emails to Azizi Powell from Amy Shacklett, February 6, 2017 9:53 AM [emails excerpts shared with prior permission]

"Hi Azizi

I'm writing about the Staple Singers' song "I'm Coming Home" (aka "Tell Heaven"). Since the lyrics vary on different recordings, I attached an mp3 of the version I'm going to tell you about & here's a link to the video.

The song starts with the singer saying she's going to heaven on the morning train. The other day I really heard a later verse that passed me by before. The words "I'm gonna choose my seat" jumped out at me. Other times I didn't catch the significance of what it was talking about. At that point I got pretty choked up. This version of the song was released as a single in 1956, very soon after Rosa Parks refused to move. It was released on the album "Uncloudy Days" in 1959.

I couldn't find lyrics so I decided to write out them out (below)-- not easy in some places. Of course I might have gotten parts of it wrong. I had a hard time with the verse that starts out "Tell my father." It wasn't clear what came after "I've been 'buked." Then I came across a song called "I've been 'buked" and it looked like some of the words were a good match.

The verse about choosing my seat starts at minute 2:49. It's a powerful statement-- so heartbreaking someone singing about the train to heaven would have to feel anxious about choosing where to sit on the train to heaven.

The Staple Singers did other versions of the song without that verse. I guess they changed the song with the times.

I have a question about the verse that begins "Whoa, the river". Is there something significant about a river where the evening sun never goes down? How does the part about being armed for battle tie into it?

Lol... I spent so much time on that song that I wanted to find somebody else who'd be interested. Thought maybe you might be...


[Lyrics for] I'm Coming Home (Tell Heaven)

Tell heaven
Now you tell heaven
I am coming
I’m coming on home
Oh, one day
Just tell my heaven, my heavenly king
Tell him, tell him that I’m coming on the morning train

Tell heaven
Whoa-oh, tell heaven
I am coming
Hey, I'll be at home one day
Tell heaven I’m coming on home one day

Tell my father
Now you tell father
I am coming
I’m coming on home
Oh, one day
Tell him I've been 'buked, Lord, I've been scorned
Yeah, I have been talked about, sure's you're born

Tell father
Whoa, whoa, tell father
I am coming
Yeah, I'll be at home one day
Tell father I'm coming on home one day

Whoa, the river
Lord knows the river
Where the sun
That evening sun
Will never go down
Cross on my shoulder, sword in my hand
I’m going down fighting in Jesus' name

Whoa, the river
Whoa, whoa, the river
Where the sun
That evening sun go down
Lord no, the sun will never go down

I'm gonna choose
Lord I'm gonna choose
Choose my seat
Gonna choose my seat
And sit down
Lord I'm gonna choose my seat and sit down
Gonna have my [...] from a starry crown
Then I'm gonna write my Lord a letter
Gonna tell him this world ain't getting no better
Then I'm gonna call him on my phone
Tell Jesus "I need you in my home"

Tell heaven
Yeah-ay tell heaven
I am coming
Hey, I'll be at home one day
Tell heaven I’m coming on home one day

Lord my burden
Lord knows my burden
Seems so heavy
So hard to bear
Hard to bear
Lord knows my burdens seem hard to bear
Lord when I get to heaven I got a crown to wear

Whoa, my burden
Whoa-oh, my burden
Seems so heavy
Lord knows so hard to bear
You know my burden seems hard to bear

Tell my mother
Now you tell mother
I am coming
I’m coming on home
Oh, one day
Tell, tell my mother now don’t she cry
She'll know her little child was born to die

Tell mother
Whoa-oh, tell mother
I am coming
Hey, I'll be at home one day
Tell mother I’m coming on home one day

I haven't been to heaven but I've been told
That streets in heaven, they shone like gold

Tell heaven
Whoa-oh, tell heaven
I am coming
Hey, I'll be at home one day
Tell heaven I’m coming on home one day
-snip-
Additions to and corrections for this transcription are welcome.

Here's my response to Amy Shacklett's question: "I have a question about the verse that begins "Whoa, the river". Is there something significant about a river where the evening sun never goes down? How does the part about being armed for battle tie into it?"

"I'm not sure about the line that you asked about unless it was a reference to heaven and people needing to battle satan in this life on earth."...

In a later email Amy "tweaked" her transcription with some additional "Whoas" and wrote "For some reason what I said the other day just popped into my head... the part about somebody feeling anxious about choosing where to sit on the train to heaven. Using the word "anxious" was totally lame. It's ridiculous that the place where somebody sat would ever have been an issue. Mavis sings it like there's no doubt whatsoever that she'll be sitting where she wants."

However, recall that in her earlier email to me Amy Shacklett wrote "This version of the song was released as a single in 1956, very soon after Rosa Parks refused to move. It was released on the album "Uncloudy Days" in 1959."

Perhaps in addition to that nod to Rosa Parks, it's likely that the "choose my seat" lyrics in this version of The Staples Singers' "I'm Coming Home" were a "floating line" from the well known African American Spiritual "Plenty Good Room":

Plenty good room
Plenty good room
Plenty good room
Plenty good room
In my Father's kingdom
Plenty good room
Plenty good room
Choose your seats and sit down.
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/08/rev-james-cleveland-plenty-good-room.html for a pancocojams post on that song as sung by the Reverend James Cleveland.

"Gospelized Spirituals" is my term for Spirituals that are arranged and sung in a Gospel style. Instead of a gospelized Spiritual, The Staple Singers' "I'm Coming Home" ("Tell Heaven") is a Gospel song that includes lines (lyrics) from several Spirituals along with other lyrics - and the soulful "Whoa oh" interjection which is an optional addition to those lyrics.

In addition to the "Plenty Good Room" Spiritual, here are the titles of two other Spiritual which have lines (lyrics) in this version of the Gospel song "I'm Coming Home":

"I've Been 'Buked (And I've Been Scorned"

**
"Plenty Good Room" [the line: "choose your seat and sit down"]

**
"Trampin" and "I Wanna Be Ready" [the verse: "I haven't been to heaven but I've been told/ That streets in heaven, they shone like gold". This is a floating verse that may also be used for some other Spirituals]

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If you recognize other lines from Spirituals that are found in this song, please add them in the comment section below. Thanks!

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