A 1953 African American Rendition Of "Take A Trip" And A 2010 Jamaican Rendition Of "I'm Gonna Take A Trip in That Good Old Gospel Ship"

Rev. Utah Smith - Take A Trip

knfuj, Mar 30, 2010

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part IV of a four part pancocojams series about American religious songs with the titles "The Old Gospel Ship", "Take A Trip" or similar titles. This series traces the development of "The Old Gospel Ship" song to pre-Civil war religious songs, through The Carter Family's 1935 "The Old Gospel Ship" to the Rev. Utah Smith's 1953 Gospel song "Take A Trip" through B. Chase Williams' 1995 Gospel song "Take A Trip On The Good Old Gospel Ship" and afterwards.  

This post showcases an example of Rev. Utah Smith's 1953 record "Take A Trip" and presents the lyrics to that version of that Gospel song. That post presents information about African American renditions of  "The Old Gospel Ship" before B. Chase Williams' recorded his record "Take A Trip On That Good Old Gospel Ship" in 1995. 

In addition this post showcases a 2010 Jamaican rendition of "I'm Gonna Take A Trip Of That Good Old Gospel Ship" and includes the lyrics for that version of that song. This post also includes the comments from the discussion thread for that YouTube video. 

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/03/lyrics-of-some-african-american.html for Part i of this pancocojams series. That post presents some comments from a Mudcat folk music discussion thread about several 19th century African American Spirituals that refer to Gospel ships sailing. These songs may be part of more well known "The Old Ship Of Zion" family of Spirituals/Hymns. 

That pancocojams post also presents a comment from that same Mudcat discussion thread about African American composer and performer Sam Lucas who wrote a version of "The Gospel Ship" in the late 19th century. Information about Sam Lucas is presented in the Addendum of this post.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/03/the-carteer-familys-1935-record-gospel.html for Part iI of this pancocojams series. That post showcases a 1935 sound file of The Carter Family singing their version of "The Old Gospel Ship".The lyrics for The Carter Family's version of "The Old Gospel Ship" is also included in that post. That post also includes an auto-generated transcript from a YouTube video about the history of "The Old Gospel Ship" hymn.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/03/african-american-examples-of-take-trip.html for Part III of this pancocojams series. That post showcases six YouTube examples of 21st century African American singers performing "Take A Trip" (On That Good Old Gospel Ship). The lyrics to two versions of that Gospel song are included in this post.

The content of this post is presented for historical, religious, and socio-cultural purpose.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the unknown composer/s of "The Old Gospel Ship". Thanks to the anonymous commenter who wrote in 2017 in the  discussion thread for my 2024 psncocojams post on "Take A Trip On The Good Old Gospel Ship" whose link is give below for letting me know about Rev. Utah Smith's 1953 "The Old Gospel Ship" record. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this YouTube example that isAnonymou featured in this post. 
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/04/five-examples-of-black-gospel-song-take.html for a 2014 pancocojams post on African American examples of this song. That post includes some videos and some information that aren't included in this 2026 post or in other parts of this pancocojams series. 

Here's the only visitor's comment from that post's discussion thread:

Anonymous, January 23, 2017 at 10:31 AM

"The Reverend Utah Smith also recorded a version of this song for the Checker label, c. August 1953, as "Take A Trip." He is accompanied by an unknown female choir and his electric guitar. It was issued as Checker single #785, c. November 1953."

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LYRICS FOR REVEREND UTAH SMITH'S "TAKE A TRIP" *

I have good news to bring
That is why I sing
I thought with you I'd share

I'm gonna take a trip
In that old Gospel ship
And go riding through the air.

Oooh, I can't even wait
I know I don't want to be late
To spend my retire
When my ship comes in
I'm gonna leave this old world of sin
And go sailin through the air.

Chorus: [with women singing along]
I'm gonna take a trip
In that old Gospel ship
Far beyond the sky
(I'm gonna) Shout and sing
Till the heavens ring
When I sing these word on high
(Oooh) me oh my I will not cry
When I'll be there I will sing.
I'll be like the birds and sing
And I know my spirit will ring
When I go sailing through the air

It's now coming to noon
I should be traveling soon
At a day it's always time.
????
????
Oh, if you're shamed of me
If you have your own point of view
You better have a care
It's too much power to find
You don't want to be left behind
When I go sailing through the air.

Chorus: [with women singing along]
I'm gonna take a trip
In that old Gospel ship
Far beyond the sky
(I'm gonna) Shout and sing
Till the heavens ring
When I sing these word on high
(Oooh) me oh my I will not cry
When I'll be there I will sing.
I'll be like the birds and sing
And I know my spirit will ring
When I go sailing through the air
-snip-
This is my attempt to transcript this audio recording. Additions and corrections are very welcome.

Rev. Utah Smith's rendition or one similar to it were undoubtedly a source for B. Chase Williams' 1995 "Take A Trip On The Good Old Gospel Ship" record 

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COMMENTS FROM THE DISCUSSION THREAD FOR THE YOUTUBE REV. UTAH SMITH VIDEO THAT IS EMBEDDED IN THIS POST

These are all of the comments that are found in this discussion thread for that YouTube video as of March 26, 2026 at 7:10 AM EDT. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVRZHaSXBwU

1. @theplanetariumscene, 2010
"Just got the book & cd last weekend. One of my favorite tracks on it. The tune has been on my mind a lot today."

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2. @smallnail4104, 2018
"The electric guitar pioneer."

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3. @mrtheoneandonly83, 2010
"Rev Smith was in chare of the evangelistc department in COGIC."
-snip-
"COGIC" is the Christian denomination "Church Of God In Christ".

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2-I'm GOING TO TAKE A TRIP IN THE GOOD OLD GOSPEL SHIP-GOSPEL TRAIN

Regina Thomas, Uploaded on Jan 20, 2010

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

I'm gonna sing and shout
until the heavens ring
And bid this world goodbye.
-snip-
In this video this song is sung during a church offering. As documented in YouTube videos of Black pentacostal church services in Jamaica and in the United Kingdom, most of the church songs consist of repeating the verses of a particular "old school" Gospel song as is documented in this video.

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INFORMATION ABOUT SOME 20TH CENTURY AFRICAN AMERICAN RENDITIONS OF "THE OLD GOSPEL SHIP" BEFORE G. CHASE WILLIAMS' 1995 RECORD "TAKE A TRIP ON THAT GOOD OLD GOSPEL SHIP"

From AI Overview write-up (as a result of my March 25, 2026 query on that subject.)
" "Take A Trip On the Old Gospel Ship" (or "The Old Gospel Ship") is a traditional gospel song frequently attributed to songwriter G.T. Speer and famously recorded by white country artists like The Carter Family in 1939. Early recordings by Black artists include soulful versions by artists such as Reverend Gary Davis and Sister Ernestine Washington.

Key Early Performers: According to recordings compiled by Smithsonian Folkways, artists like Reverend Gary Davis and Sister Ernestine Washington recorded the song as part of classic African American gospel recordings, often featuring in collections focusing on traditional and soul-influenced gospel.

Cultural Context: The song is a staple of Southern gospel that has been widely adopted across musical styles. While the 1939 Carter Family version is widely known, the song existed in Pentecostal and traditional settings beforehand.

Alternative Titles: The song is often recognized by its chorus lines: "I'm gonna take a trip on the Old Gospel Ship," and is sometimes confused with the traditional spiritual "The Old Ship of Zion".

While early recordings are often fragmented in digital databases, Reverend Gary Davis and Sister Ernestine Washington are among the documented Black pioneers of this song."
-snip-
The Carter Family's first recording of "The Old Gospel Ship" is usually given as 1935.

Unfortunately, I haven't found any YouTube recordings of "The Old Gospel Ship" by Rev. Gary Davis and/or Sister Ernestine Washington. However, I found an audio recording of Rev. Davis singing "The Old Ship Of Zion" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHXX--sdjJo. That rendition doesn't include any of the lyrics for "The Old Gospel Ship". 

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This concludes Part IV of this four part pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome. 

"This Is A War Cry" - African American Church "War Cries" (Information, Comments, & YouTube Videos)

 

"This Is A War Cry: Calling All Of The Warriors" ♪Micah Stampley

Praise & Worship Songs, Published on Mar 8, 2012

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post provides information about and five YouTube videos of African American church praise break chants and music that are referred to as "War Cries".

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube. And thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.
-snip-
Most of the content of this post was published in a 2015 pancocojams post that has been deleted.

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INFORMATION ABOUT CHRISTIAN CHURCH "WAR CRIES"
Christian "War Cries" are chants with up-tempo, "hot" percussive music that is sung and played for "praise breaks". The "War Cry" is most closely associated with Apostolic Bishop Kenneth H. Moales, Sr. who spread his particular rendition of that chant throughout African American Apostolic and Pentecostal congregations as well as other Black and non-Black Christian congregations in the United States.

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THE PURPOSE OF THE CHURCH WAR CRIES
"War Cries" are part of the Apostolic and Pentecostal traditions of "praise breaks". The purpose of praise breaks is to help bring down the Holy Spirit so that worshippers praise God by doing the Holy dance ("shout", "get happy", "get your praise on", "cut a step"), by speaking in tongues, and in other ways.

Micah Stampley's "This Is A War Cry Calling All Of The Warriors" song was recorded in 2005. A recording of "War Cry" led by Bishop Moales, Sr. was released January 4, 2011 -after Bishop Moales, Sr's death. That album Greater Mount Calvary Live As Told By The Music Ministry was recorded when Bishop Moales' visited that church which is located in Washington DC. Bishop Moales' church was in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Here's an excerpt from a book about the Pentecostal denomination that describes "praise breaks" although it doesn't use that term:

"The Special Language of Pentacostalism [Pentecostalism]" from Elaine J. Lawless, God's Peculiar People University Press of Kentucky, 1988 http://www.folkstreams.net/context,104
"In a typical Pentecostal church service several activities are common, all of which are geared toward helping the group members get happy or get a blessing, which refers to states where uninhibited behaviors such as crying, dancing in the spirit (in possession), jerks, tongue-speaking, and shouting can be exhibited. Shouting can take various forms, from shrieking to crying to speaking in tongues. It is viewed as a supranormal utterance, and, like spirit dancing, cannot be controlled by the individual. This marks the distinction between such behaviors as secular activities and as sacred activities performed in the context of the church service. Under the power of the spirit of God, the saints are not responsible for their acts; performed by choice in the context of the “world.” The same acts become desecrated. Participation in congregational singing, dancing, shouting, praying, and tongue-speaking is strongly encouraged; saints long to see the house on fire for God, that is, all members actively involved in exalting God and invoking the spirit to move among the members.
-snip-
Referring to this chant & music as a "war cry" follows the Christian conceptualization of the devil being in constant warfare with Christians. People who are sanctified are considered to be "soldiers" who are "on the battlefield" for the Lord.

It's important to emphasize that "War Cries" are the opposite of plaintive or wailing vocalizations. "War Cries" are joyous, victorious praise giving to God.

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SELECTED COMMENTS ABOUT AFRICAN AMERICAN CHURCH "WAR CRIES"
These comments are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.
:
1. Love this song. I'm a warrior in the army of the Lord. I was getting my praise on the entire song !"
-sjett95, 2015 -  Stampley♪", https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOC2vR9nxhM "This Is A War Cry Calling All Of The Warriors ♪Micah

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2. "[Micah Stampley's] War Cry is the type of praise song that will get you up on your feet and make you feel like you are right there in the choir. The tempo is funky and upbeat and Stampley's voice is reminescent of Donnie McClurkin's in pitch as he actually demonstrates a high pitched war cry several times during the song. The chorus will have you repeating "This is the war cry...of the warriors...pick up your weapons: fight, fight! This is the war cry, of the warriors, pick up your weapons, fight, fight! This is the war cryyyyyyy...of the warriooooooorrrrss..."
- Beverly, "A Refreshing Addition to the Gospel Tradition", on April 3, 2005, http://www.amazon.com/Songbook-Micah-MICAH-STAMPLEY/dp/B0007VF29Q

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3. "I love this song it gets me in the spirit all the time"
-@Tammarrah100, 2017, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzorD7B_vyY&t=154s"Bishop Kenneth H. Moales, Sr. leads The YES War Cry"

**

4. "how is this a WAR cry?"
-carter murphy, 2012 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Me3CWI6iR6U Ricky Dillard & New G "War Cry" [This video is no longer available.]  

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5. "A cry for spiritual warfare, when the praise would muster up and they will use it against the enemy. Israel done this many a times before they battled, they would give a great shout of victory before they won the battle. That's what happened when Joshua led them to Jericho and their war cry tore down the walls. But you have to be sanctified in youur shout because Israel also lost the battle because they shout wasn't sanctified. BE SANCTIFIED IN YOU SHOUT, that's all I'm saying!"
-C.L. Banks, 2013, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Me3CWI6iR6U Ricky Dillard & New G "War Cry"

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6. "The war cry is the cry of Victory among the saints of GOD. It's war against the enemy. When you have been baptized in Jesus name and filled with the holyghost according to Acts 2:38 the devil lose you."
-Meyouna Johnson, 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu5qh71ar8U Ricky Dillard & New G "War Cry" 

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7."Okay!!!!! I NEED me a church like this honey!!! Thats some old school praising!!! The energy!!! I need that in my life!!! My Goodness!!! Those people were shouting for their lives!! Amen!"
-fkn02, 2011, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3NuGb-DfXw "COGIC "WIC" Praise Break/War Cry" 

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8. "To be honest the war cry is just a remake of the old times when they did this war cry wayy back. nobody made it they remade it into something more of the dayss now thts all"
- Skyler Hardy, 2012, "Ricky Dillard & New G - "War Cry" " 

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9. "This video is 15 years old, but the power of the LORD is still bringing healing and deliverance. Thank you, Jesus ! 🙌💃🕺"
-@helengcray1125, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzorD7B_vyY&t=154s  "Bishop Kenneth H. Moales, Sr. leads The YES War Cry"

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"Puts me in warrior mode every time"
-@Tammarrah100, 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzorD7B_vyY&t=154s "Bishop Kenneth H. Moales, Sr. leads The YES War Cry"

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ADDITIONAL YOUTUBE VIDEOS
(These videos are given in no particular order and are numbered for referencing purposes only.)

SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - Bishop Kenneth Moales Jr. - War Cry @ Lady Peggy Moales Homegoing

Dorian davis, Jun 11, 2018

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #3 -  Bishop Kenneth H. Moales, Sr. leads The YES War Cry

Joshua Brown, May 4, 2010

Great Uncle does it again! Bishop Kenneth H. Moales Sr. leads Greater Mount Calvary into a YES War Cry for our 44th church anniversary.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #4- CALVARY WAR CRY



Byron Phillips Uploaded on May 10, 2009

SING VOICES OF CALVARY

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #5- Ricky Dillard & New G "War Cry"



@TheSundaySchoolCollection, May 21, 2024 

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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

 

Phil Thompson- "My Worship" (The 2017 Gospel song that Includes the words "I will not be silent")

Phil Thompson, Aug 25, 2017  #MyWorship #PhilThompson

Phil Thompson is releasing a sound of worship! Here's a look at the live session recording of his solo debut single "My Worship"

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a 2017 YouTube video of Phi Thompson's Gospel song "My Worship".

The lyrics to that song are included in this post. Those lyrics include the words "I will not be silent".

This Gospel song has gone viral since its release in 2017. In addition, the words "I will not be silent" have become a rallying chant that has become part of the 2026 anti-ICE protests and other protests for justice in the United States and elsewhere.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Phil Thompson for his musical legacy. Thanks to Don Lemon for his stands against injustice and thanks to all those who have been and are now part of the movement for peace and justice in the United States and throughout the world.

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LYRICS - "MY WORSHIP"
(composer - Phil Thompson)

[Verse]

You Lord, You are worthy

And no one can worship You for me

For all the things You've done for me

And no one can worship You for me

 

[Chorus]

Here's my worship

All of my worship

Receive my worship

All of my worship

Here's my worship

All of my worship

Receive my worship

All of my worship

 

[Verse]

You Lord, You are worthy

And no one can worship You for me

For all the things You've done for me

And no one can worship You for me

 

[Chorus]

Here's my worship

All of my worship

Receive my worship

All of my worship

Here's my worship

All of my worship

Receive my worship

All of my worship

Here's my worship

All of my worship

Receive my worship

All of my worship

Here's my worship

All of my worship

Receive my worship

All of my worship

[Bridge]

And I will not be silent

I will always worship You

As long as I am breathing

I will always worship You

And I will not be silent

I will always worship You

As long as I am breathing

I will always worship You

And I will not be silent

I will always worship You

As long as I am breathing

I will always worship You

 

[Chorus]

Here's my worship

All of my worship

Receive my worship

All of my worship

Here's my worship

All of my worship

Receive my worship

All of my worship

 

[Outro]

You Lord, You are worthy


online source-https://genius.com/Phil-thompson-my-worship-lyrics

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Visitor comments are welcome.

Who Composed The Gospel Song "We Are On Our Way"?

gospellin, Feb 19, 2009

Rev James Cleveland used their song for the processional at the 1st GMWA
-snip-
"GMWA" = Gospel Music Workshops of America

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part III of a four part pancocojams series about the Gospel song "We Are On Our Way". This Gospel song is also known as "On Our Way".

This post showcases two YouTube videos of the song "We Are On Our Way" being sung by the Gospel Emeralds, a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Gospel group.

This pancocojams post also presents statements about the song "We Are On Our Way" being composed by a member of the Gospel Emeralds, or by other people. At this time of this post's publication, "We Are On Our Way" is usually categorized as traditional since no person has been definitely credited as having composed this song.

In addition, selected comments from these videos are included in this post.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/01/video-of-information-about-we-are-on.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. That post showcases a YouTube video of the Los Angeles Chapter Of  the Gospel Music Workshop Of America (GMWA) singing that chapter's (and later the entire organization's) anthem "We Are On Our Way". This post presents some information about Rev. James Cleveland and some information bout The Gospel Music Workshop of America that he founded. In addition, this post presents the introductory words and some of the lyrics to that rendition of the song "We Are On Our Way". 

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/01/southern-university-gospel-choirs.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. That post showcases a YouTube video of the song "We Are On Our Way" being sung by Southern University Gospel Choir during one of their church processions. Facebook comments about Southern University Gospel Choir's rendition are also included in this post. Some of those comments include the standard lyrics for that Gospel song (as popularized by the Gospel Music Workshop Of America. Some other comments in this discussion explain why the choir members hold their right hand up while they are marching into the church.

The Addendum to this post presents some information about the custom of some African American church choirs of marching into the church service with their right hand raised and their left hand held behind their back.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-hymn-in-land-of-fadeless-day-also.html for Part IV of this pancocojams series. That post showcases three YouTube examples of the Christian hymn "In The Land Of Fadeless Days" and lyrics for that hymn. This post also includes information about some other hymns that include the words "fadeless days or "endless days". 

I'm particularly interested in these songs because the words "fadeless days" or "endless days" are included in the African American Gospel song  "We Are On Our Way" that has been popularized by the Gospel Music Workshop Of America.

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

 All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the composer of the Gospel song "We Are On Are Way". Thanks to Rev. James Cleveland who arranged and is responsible for publicizing the Gospel version of this song. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
This pancocojams post doesn't purport to answer the question "Who composed the Gospel song "We Are On Our Way" that was popularized by Rev. James Cleveland and his choirs?

I believe that this Gospel song is considered to be "traditional" because no person has been definitely identified as that song's composer. However, online commenters have identified at least two people as the composer of that Gospel song.

I've presented all of the online information that I've found about this subject as of this date. This information isn't given in any ranking order.

For the cultural record, please share any information that you have on this subject. Thanks!  

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INFORMATION THAT I HAVE FOUND ONLINE ABOUT POSSIBLE COMPOSERS OF THIS SONG
Rev. James Cleveland has been incorrectly credited by a number of people online as composing the song "We Are On Our Way".  However, I haven't found any information about Rev. Cleveland crediting himself as that song's composer.

Given in no order, I've found information or online comments about these people being credited as the composers of "We Are On Our Way":

-Eugene (Gene) Dukes [deceased], Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
[no other information given besides his sister writing that his family has the copyright to this song.

- Stanley McNish, a member of the Gospel Emeralds (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
He's listed as a pianist and composer in the summary for this video that is given immediately below, but that doesn't necessary mean that he composed this song..

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2  - The Gospel Emeralds of Philadelphia- “We Are On Our Way” (1963)

Gospelz, Premiered Mar 14, 2022

"Another awesome group based out of Philadelphia, PA. As written on the back of the album: With enthusiastic inspiration, The Gospel Emeralds display their sincerety and divine talents in this their initial album. The Gospel Emeralds are proud products of Philadelphia, Pa, and are recognized as one of the great new talents of the country due to their inspired performances wherever they have appeared. Their unusual style has captured the hearts of many congregations as they interpret the word of "God" as they sing the Gospel. This group also has sincere harmony in life, as they do in song, working as a closely knit family unit. All eight members have stayed together, as they have prayed together. Personnel: DELORES CORBIN…whose sparkling soprano voice has reached the hearts of many of her listeners. GLORIA BERRY ... Lyric Soprano, has a light, rich tonality with untouched brilliance. ETHEL SALLI…range, which is pecritiar to her type voice. Mezzo Soprano, possesses that voice of an impeccable range, which is peculiar to her type voice. ARTHUR NEAL . . . Dramatic Tenor, has power and an enormous vocal technique. JOHN WILSON…. Baritone Tenor, and narrator. RONALD CORBIN…Baritone and Lead Singer. STANLEY McNISH…Director, Pianist, Composer." -snip- I used italics to highlight these words. ****

COMMENTS ABOUT WHO COMPOSED THIS GOSPEL SONG 

These comments are given in no particular order.

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

Source #1
from https://www.facebook.com/gmwanational/videos/the-southern-university-gospel-choir-doesnt-it-give-you-chills/3904443446486058/ The Southern University Gospel Choir -Doesn't It Give You Chills?

(Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.)

1. Beverly Reed, 2025
"They are singing WE ARE ON OUR WAY written by my deceased brother GENE Dukes of PHILADELPHIA, he wrote this songs years, it's been featured in a few movies, I know my brother this song when I was a teenager, my family has the copyright to this song. The late James Cleveland claimed he wrote it, but Dukes Family of Philadelphia knows the Truth!!!! 🙏 🙏 🙏"

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Reply
2. Dante Jones, 2025
"Beverly Reed wrong, didn't say he wrote it. He just used it as the processional for the Southern California Community Choir, Cornerstone Institutional Baptist Church Choir's and the Los Angeles Chapter of GMWA Mass Choir's, we've known all along the song came from Philadelphia PA, because his daughter's mother and a portion of her family is from Philadelphia also"

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Source #2
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCKMwnU8Oms&list=RDoCKMwnU8Oms&start_radio=1 "GMWA LA Chapter - We Are On Our Way" published by aresmall, Aug 25, 2010

LA Chapter We Are On Our Way

@aresmall, 2012
"We are on our way; to a land of fadeless days. We are on our way; we're on our journey home. (V2) When we get to glory; we will shout and tell the story. How we made it over; we're on our journey home. (V3) 0-0-0-0-00000000000000000; we're on our journey home. (This is slightly different than the original version sang in the 40's/50's by the Emeralds, and by a couple other groups that have sang it, but it is currently the LA Chapter/Southern Cal version)".
-snip-
These words are given in italics for highlighting purposes only. 

From the sparse information that I found online, it appears that the Gospel Emeralds performed and recorded in the 1960s. Was commenter aresmall referring to White Gospel groups in the 1940s and earlier who composed and sung hymns that referred to traveling to heaven where there were "endless days" or "fadeless days"? (Except for those words, those hymns are different from have different lyrics, tunes, and tempos trom the Gospel song We Are On Our Way" that has been popularized by Rev. James Cleveland and his choirs.)

Visit Part IV of this series for information about some of these hymns which are documented  early as 1899.

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OTHER COMMENTS ABOUT THIS GOSPEL SONG

These comments are given in no particular order.

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A38Cn7JRyU0&list=RDA38Cn7JRyU0&start_radio=1
[from the discussion thread for the first showcase video of the Gospel Emeralds]

1. @bartsing2, 2009
"What are the words?

I am missing some of them....

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@EricScottReed, 2021
"Here's what I can hear:

 

WE ARE ON OUR WAY

To that land of endless days,

WE ARE ON OUR WAY

We’re on our journey home!

 

(There’ll be) No more tears to shed

If by Him we’re led, (???)

WE ARE ON OUR WAY

We’re on our journey home!

 

Sinner man, come, and go with me

To that land of jubilee;

We are marching to victory,

We’re on our journey home!

 

When we get to glory,

We shall tell the story,

How we made it over,

We’re on our journey home!"

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This concludes Part III of this pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Ray Charles And The Voices Of Jubilation Choir -Gospel Song "Oh, Happy Day" (2011 YouTube Video & Selected Comments)

mambomx, Apr 24, 2011

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Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a 2011 YouTube video of Ray Charles and The Voices Of Jubilation choir performing Edwin Hawkins' original 1960s Gospel composition "Oh Happy Day".

Information about Ray Charles is included in this post along with information about Edwin Hawkins and his Gospel arrangement of the hymn "Oh Happy Day". This arrangement is an example of what I refer to as a "gospelized hymn". 

This post also includes selected comments from the discussion thread of this YouTube video.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Edwin Hawkins and Ray Charles for their musical legacies. Thanks to the Voices Of Jubilation choir and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
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Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-edwin-hawkins-singers-oh-happy-day.html for the closely related 2013 pancocojams post "Three Renditions Of The Edwin Hawkins Singers - Oh Happy Day".

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INFORMATION ABOUT RAY CHARLES
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Charles
"Ray Charles Robinson[a] (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential musicians of the 20th century and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Genius". Among friends and fellow musicians, he preferred being called "Brother Ray".[2][3] Charles was blinded during childhood, possibly due to glaucoma, and consequently wore dark glasses.[4]

Charles pioneered the soul music genre during the 1950s by combining elements of blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, and gospel into his music during his time with Atlantic Records.[4][5][6] He contributed to the integration of country music, rhythm and blues, and pop music during the 1960s with his crossover success on ABC Records, notably with his two Modern Sounds albums.[7][8] With ABC, Charles became one of the first black musicians to be granted artistic control by a mainstream record company.[5]"...

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE GOSPEL SONG "OH HAPPY DAY"
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oh_Happy_Day
"Oh Happy Day" is a 1967 gospel music arrangement of the 1755 hymn[1] by clergyman Philip Doddridge. Recorded by the Edwin Hawkins Singers, it became an international hit in 1969, reaching No. 4 on the US Singles Chart, No. 1 in France, Germany, and the Netherlands and No. 2 on the Canadian Singles Chart, UK Singles Chart, and Irish Singles Chart. It has since become a gospel music standard, selling over 7 million copies worldwide,[2][3] making it the second best-selling gospel song of all time.

Origins

The gospel style arrangement of the hymn "Oh, Happy Day" by Edwin Hawkins has a long pedigree. It began as a hymn, written in the mid-18th century ("O happy day, that fixed my choice"), by English clergyman Philip Doddridge (based on Acts 8:35) set to a 1704 melody by J. A. Freylinghausen.[5] By the mid-19th century it had been given a new melody by Edward F. Rimbault, who also added a chorus,[6] and was commonly used for baptismal or confirmation ceremonies in the UK and USA. The 20th century saw its adaptation from 3

The B-side of the single was Hawkins' own modern arrangement of "Jesus, Lover of My Soul" originally written by Charles Wesley in 1740.[7][8]"...

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SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv5n_eCGkvM&list=RDwv5n_eCGkvM&start_radio=1

2016

1. @bernardyeo7896
"God is good, all the time!" ** Reply 2. @rose-myriamwaku-nsimba353
"all the time, God is good."

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2017

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2018

3. @zarro_boogs_found
"This is exactly what we need in this time of uncertainty. Please give us more!"

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4. @robertv9448
"Ain't nothing like a southern gospel choir bring tears to the eye."

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Reply
5. @lawrencesumblin3325, 2019
"Absolutely"

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Reply
6. @brucethedruid, 2019
"The choir is from New Jersey.  The arrangement is by Edwin Hawkins from Berkeley, California.  The song is based on an 18th century hymn set to gospel style with its roots in African musical traditions."

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Reply
7. @blakeedmondson9573, 2020
"@brucethedruid  When he said "southern gospel choir" that has nothing to do with the part of the country the choir is from or where the music was written. Southern gospel is a style of music. That's like telling someone they're not eating French fries because they're not in or from France. People all over the country and world sing Southern gospel music. Southern gospel as a style of music originates from the Scottish and Gaelic people who came to Appalachia in the 18th and 19th centuries. It's where country, black gospel, etc music originated from"

**
Reply
8. @Cuffski, 2020
"@blakeedmondson9573  are you serious?  Southern gospel is not derived from Scotland it's born from the slave tradition in America centuries prior to the time-frame you referenced.  Slaves had to improvise which is how they created this style of music."

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Reply
9. @geraldmorgan2539, 2021
"Yeh nothing  to do with Scotland  its  black  African/American  gospel  Scots are great  but they  cant sing like this"

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Reply
10. @loriannrichardson7644, 2024
" @bettinabaker1821 this is a Black American choir"

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2019

11. @MURPHYBROWNE
"I absolutely love the African outfits the members of the choir are wearing and the intricately wrapped geles that many of the women are wearing!! Just beautiful!!" ** 12. @andrewlambert7464
"I was blessed to see one of his last live shows and if ever you could give credence to the phrase "God given talent" Mr. Charles unequivocally qualifies. Seeing apparently gruff men crying tears of joy in public at his music does nothing but add fuel to fire of my faith... Thank for this wonderful example..."

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2020

13. @sharonpowell1969
"Nothing like black gospel offered in sincere praise to God.   "Let everything that has breathe  Praise ye  the Lord." "

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14. @stevewilliams2779
"Ray Charles is an American institution. I Grew up on his songs. My father loved his songs and bought many of his records. What a talent his was. There was no one like Ray Charles in the music business."

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15. @djsemira1
"My parents are atheists, they brought us to the Montreal jubilation gospel choir every year as children for the christmas concert, it is the most beautiful music."

**
16. @selinarobinson6767
"I'm team Ray Charles, he can sing anything for me. I saw him in concert at Radio City, extraordinary, amazing, incredible. Much love, respect & gratitude . Rest well."

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2021

17. @philsarkol6443
"Ray Charles ..American Icon....through all ages, generations, black,white, rich, poor...he can unite all the people. That is what the US as a nation needs right now. He is still missed!!"

**
18. @historyforhumanitypamelach4103
"Love This!

Love Ray! Love All of You! My Beautiful Children With All That Soul... Thank You...."

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19. @billcarey7874
How does this song make me smile, and shed tears at the same time? Oh, happy day. Thanks, Lord."

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20. @valdetemaria4781
"Rei Charles , isso que é música boa ,algum brasileiro aqui ?

Se tiver Deus te conceda infinidades de bençãos ...." -snip- Google translate from Portuguese (Brazil) to English: "King Charles, that's good music! Any Brazilians here? If so, may God grant you countless blessings..."

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Reply
21. "Para todos nós!!!!"

-snip-
Google translate from Portuguese (Brazil) to English 
"For all of us"

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2022

22. @alexandriayannotti1592
"This has always been one of my favorite gospel songs and always brings tears to my eyes!"

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23. @hippopotamus6765
"The best part of religion is gospel music.

Especially Ray Charles... Awesome!"

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2023

24. @avagd6293
"A beautiful and soulful rendition of one of the greatest gospel songs ever written and performed."

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2024

25. @sherricoffman
"ThankYou4Sharing!!! ❤ 🕊 MuchLove!!! Amen N Amen!!! ❤ 🕊 HALLELUJAH!!!"

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26. @josejunior9336
"Há Velhos Anos 60 !

Canções que nos chegavam nos Rádios de Pilha !

E Sonhavamos na chuva, na praça, no parque, e outras coisas !!!"
-snip-
Google translate from Portuguese (Portugal) to English:
"The old 60s! Songs that reached us on battery-powered radios! And we dreamed in the rain, in the square, in the park, and other places!!!"
**
27. @EmmanuelNkosi-h4j
"I ALWAYS LOVED RAY CHARLES FROM WHEN I WAS 8YEARS I'M NOW 72 Years at HOME MY PARENTS PLAYED HIS MUSIC My PARENTS AND MY BROTHERS ARE ALL GONE.I WAS THE YOUNGEST.

FROM: EMMANUEL NKOSI SOUTH AFRICA"

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28. @Rantz1productions
"The version from sister act 2 is my favorite rendition of this song, hands down!"

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2025

29. @MonaWC
"Sing it Children!" ** 30. @markwhitehead1572
"That's Talent stright from the heavens, Straight out of Jamaica with no apologies.. God speed..."

** 31. @Faith-bricolage
"Descendants of the tribe of Judah!  Judah means praise!!"

** 32. @cesarenriqueramirez6090
"Sienpre me gustado ese genero musical y mas cuando se alaba a dios" -snip- Google translate from Spanish to English "I've always liked that genre of music, especially when it praises God." ** 33. @MariaSekhabisa
"I'm sitting on my patio listening in South Africa. Ray Charles."

**

34. @OldSchoolGospelRevival1539
"That's what we need the Internet for. To make such masterpieces live for centuries"

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35. @jdd9993
"Ray Charles was a national treasure and an inspiration to all. May God bless him in eternity. RIP, Dearest Icon ️" ** 36. @GodsChildNYC
"It never gets old

Love it"

**

37. @deborahjackson6026
"Few can compete with an African American gospel choir.  Fantastic!"

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38. @InsideFacts-br8qh
"Wao, such a beautiful song."

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39. @carolyndavison6095
"Back in the late 1990’s I had a long commute to work and I would play this song. Rolling down the highway with the windows opened and Oh Happy Day playing full blast sure was a beautiful way to begin my day. Such a “feel good” song to praise the Lord."

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