Fisk Jubilee Singers, Premiered Oct 15, 2020 FISK UNIVERSITY
The Fisk Jubilee Singers® live presentation of "Walk
Together Children" from Fisk Jubilee Day 2020
"Walk Together, Children" Arranged by Moses Hogan
Performed by the 2020-2021 Fisk Jubilee Singers® Ensemble
Paul T. Kwami, D.M.A., '85, Musical Director
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In the context of African American history, "Jubilee Day" refers to January 1, 1863 after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.
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Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post showcases three YouTube videos of the African American Spiritual "Walk Together Children". Information about that Spiritual and the lyrics to a contemporary arrangement of this Spiritual are also included in this post.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the unknown composer/s of "Walk Together Children". Thanks also to all the arrangers of that Spiritual. Thanks also to those who are quoted in this post & thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE "WALK TOGETHER CHILDREN" SPIRITUAL
WATCH NIGHT CULTURAL RESOURCES
Saturday, December 31, 2011, Tara Lake, Guest Lectionary Cultural Resource Commentator
Independent Scholar of African American Studies, East Point,
GA
..." “Walk Together Children”
One of the most versatile of the African American Spirituals, “Walk Together Children” urges unity of purpose and reminds singers and listeners of the promise of a better day to come. As is the case with a number of spirituals, “Walk Together Children” offers layered meaning and emphasizes the coming reward. During slavery, the song was a joyful reminder of freedom and celebration to come, not only in Heaven, but also in earthly promised lands, including free states and territories. During the first “Freedom’s Eve,” with Abolition just hours away, and even in today’s African American congregations, “Walk Together Children” is a celebration of the victories already won and a promise of triumphs to come. “Camp Meetings” were church meetings, and indeed, the first Freedom’s Eve Watch Night services were a coming to pass of the promise of the Great Camp Meeting in the Promised Land—in this case, the newly freed states. This spiritual’s significance has continually evolved as congregations and freedom activists have altered the words and chorus to suit the moment and the movement, but it has particular meaning for the Watch Night Service.10
Walk Together Children [title]
Walk together, children,
don’t you get weary.
Walk together, children,
don’t you get weary.
Walk together, children,
don’t you get weary.
There’s a great camp meeting in the promised land.
Gwinter walk and never tire.
Walk and never tire.
Walk and never tire.
There’s a great camp meeting in the promised land.
Walk together, children,
don’t you get weary.
Walk together, children,
don’t you get weary.
Walk together, children,
don’t you get weary.
There’s a great camp meeting in the promised land.
Gonna* sing and never tire.
Sing and never tire.
Sing and never tire.
There’s a great camp meeting in the promised land.
Walk together, children,
don’t you get weary.
Walk together, children,
don’t you get weary.
Walk together, children,
don’t you get weary.
There’s a great camp meeting in the promised land.
Gonna* shout and never tire.
Shout and never tire.
Shout and never tire.
There’s a great camp meeting in the promised land.
Walk together, children,
don’t you get weary.
Sing together, children,
don’t you get weary.
Shout together, children,
don’t you get weary.
There’s a great camp meeting in the promised land.
There’s a great camp meeting in the promised land."
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*I replaced the out dated dialectic word "Gwinter" that is given in these lyrics with the much more acceptable vernacular words "Gonna" meaning "going to"
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Here's information about "Watch Night" church services:
from https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/historical-legacy-watch-night The Historical Legacy of Watch Night [no author or publishing date given, retrieved on October 22, 2025)
..."On
the night of December 31, 1862, enslaved and free African Americans gathered,
many in secret, to ring in the new year and await news that the Emancipation
Proclamation had taken effect. Just a few months earlier, on September 22,
1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued the executive order that declared
enslaved people in the rebelling Confederate States legally free. However, the
decree would not take effect until the clock struck midnight at the start of
the new year. The occasion, known as Watch Night or “Freedom's Eve,” marks when
African Americans across the country watched and waited for the news of
freedom. Today, Watch Night is an annual New Year’s Eve tradition that includes
the memory of slavery and freedom, reflections on faith, and celebration of
community and strength.
[...]
The Watch Night service typically begins around 7pm on December 31 and lasts through midnight, as faith leaders guide congregants in praise and worship. Many congregants across the nation bow in prayer minutes before the midnight hour as they sing out “Watchman, watchman please tell me the hour of the night.” In return the minister replies “it is three minutes to midnight”; “it is one minute before the new year”; and “it is now midnight, freedom has come,” to bless their transition into the new year.
[...]
Initially meant to welcome emancipation, today the Watch
Night service encourages reflection on the history of slavery and freedom, as
well as reflection on the past year—both its trials and triumphs—while also
anticipating what the new year will have in store. It is a continuation of
generations of faith that freedom and renewal lie ahead."...
A COMMONLY USED ARRANGEMENT OF "WALK TOGETHER CHILDREN" FPR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
A commonly used arrangement of "Walk Together Children", particularly for children & youth, is performing it as a "zipper song" in which most of the verse remains the same except for substituting a verb in each verse of that song.
Walk together children.
Don't you get weary.
Walk together children.
Don't you get weary.
Walk together children.
Don't you get weary.
Walk together children.
Don't you get weary.
There's a great camp meeting in the Promised Land.
Talk together children etc.
Sing together children etc.
Shout together children etc.
Pray together children etc.
Work together children etc.
[Add other action words & end with "Walk together" verse.]
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MetroSingers, Hyattsville, MD
http://www.metrosingers.com
Song arranged by Dr. Raymond Wise) recorded and produced by Hope Channel
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