How WSSU Adapted A Floating Verse From Spirituals To Create Its Song "It's So Hard To Be A Ram"

Artistry Photography, Oct. 23, 2012
-snip-
This video begins with Winston Salem State University's cheerleaders throwing (performing) the cheer "Go SU Go".  

From around .26 to 1:28 in this video, the cheerleaders sing "It's So Hard To Be A Ram" along with other people at the football game. That singing is an expression of school spirit and school pride. The song is led by a man in the stands and begins before the cheerleaders finished one of their cheers.   

People seated in the football stands (bleachers) sing while performing individual hand claps, waving one hand back and forth to the beat, and doing other non-cheerleader associated motions. The cheerleaders also perform these motions while standing on the football field.

Meanwhile, the football game continues. The announcer reports some actions in that game and WSSU's band plays a different song than "It's So Hard To Be A Ram". 

****
Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a video that includes an example of Winston Salem State University (WSSU) 's song "It's So Hard To Be A Ram" . Other links to online examples of  YouTube videos that includes this song are also included to this post.

Partial lyrics to WSSU's song "It's So Hard To Be A Ram" are included in this post (I can't decipher the second verse that is sung for this song in that video and in other videos). 

This post also points out that the first verse* and probably other verses to "It's So Hard To Be A Ram" are adaptations of floating verses that are found in certain African American Spirituals. An example of one of those Spirituals are included in this post. 

My speculations and quotes from two online sites about the meaning of "It's so hard to be a Ram" are also included in this pancocojams post. 

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The content of this post is presented for socio-cultural purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the unknown composers of the floating verses for the Spirituals and for WSSU's song. Thanks also to all those who are featured in this embedded video and all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this embedded video on YouTube.
-snip-
*The words for the chorus of WSSU's song "It's So Hard To Be A Ram" are also adaptations of certain Spirituals. Also, the tune for that chorus is similar to the tune that is used for the Spiritual "Jesus Is A Rock In A Weary Land" and certain other Spirituals. However, in my opinion, that first verse's adaptation is far easier to recognize than the chorus' adaptation.  
-snip-
Disclaimer: I'm not affiliated with WSSU and I have never heard this song sung other than in YouTube video clips.

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PARTIAL LYRICS FOR WINSTON SALEM STATE UNIVERSITY SONG "IT'S SO HARD TO BE A RAM"

[Chorus]
Oooo Oooo

It's so hard to be a RAM 
It's so hard to be a RAM
It's so hard to be a R. A. M. S.
RAMS!

Verse #1

Lead - I wouldn't be an Eagle [or insert another team's name]
Others- No!
I'll tell you the reason why
Others- Why! Why! Why!
Lead- 'Cause I was a Ram all of my life
And I'll be a Ram till the day that I die

Chorus

Verse #2
???

-snip-
The second verse and other verses for that song have the same structure as the first verse, but I haven't been able to decipher most of those words to that verse.  

The only words that I can decipher in the second verse that is sung in this embedded video (and in some other WSSU videos) are:
Lead- ???? 
I'll tell you what I'll do
Others- What! What! What!
Lead- ????
???? SSU

-snip-
It's likely that there are fixed words for that second verse, just like the words to the first verse have become fixed. However, since lyrics to African American Spirituals were traditionally improvised, since WSSU's song "It's So Hard To Be A Ram" was based on Spirituals, it's possible that some lyrics to that song can also be improvised.

Here's a verse that I've made up that fits the spirit and structure of WSSU's song "It's So Hard To Be A Ram":   

Lead- When I get to heaven
I'll tell you what I'll do
Others- What? What? What?
Lead- I'll walk around those streets of gold
That look like SSU

For the historical record, please share the words to "It's So Hard To Be A Ram" that you know along with demographic information (whether you attend/attended WSSU and when you learned that version of that song. Thanks! 

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INFORMATION AND COMMENTS ABOUT WSSU'S "IT'S SO HARD TO BE A RAM" SONG (AND  SAYING)

A number of Winston Salem State University YouTube videos, and online articles feature the  "It's So Hard To Be A Ram" saying & song. Winston Salem University (WSSU) is a historically Black university that is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. That song and saying are bragging expressions of the pride that WSSU students and others  have for that university.

WSSU's athletic teams are called the Rams. By extension, in the "It's So Hard To Be A Ram" song, "Rams" refers to students and others who are associated with that university. My guess is that "It's so hard to be a Ram" means that Rams are an exclusive "club" of successful people that it's not easy to be a part of.  If it were "easy to be a Ram", then anybody could be like them. But because it's hard to be a Ram, few people can meet the standards and legacy of success that WSSU has.  
 
Here are two comments https://www.unigo.com/colleges/winston-salem-state-university/reviews which express these points: 

"emani

Attending Winston-Salem State University was one of the best decisions I've ever made. It's a great well rounded school, and the atmosphere there is undefeated nor can it be found on any other campus. I love the people, the environment, and the opportunity WSSU provides. Each and every day I see why it's so hard to be a ram! Go rams!!"

**
"Jada

I love my school overall!!! It may not be a luxurious or big as other schools, but that doesn't matter because my HBCU is the real deal. At my school were ramily (ram family). We look out for each other and don't let anyone else come for us because then you got the whole school coming for them. Academically I know that some professors are doing their job because they want to see us make so they stay on top of us about being in class and doing our work to pass. We have our flaws, but who doesn't. The school system and the people who work there sometimes make me angry but I wouldn't trade the school for the anything else. This is where my heart and my home is and our culture is true and real which I don't see anywhere else."
-snip-
Here's an excerpt from that provides some information about WSSU's saying "It's So Hard To Be A Ram" from
https://hbcugameday.com/2017/08/21/so-hard-to-be-a-ram-why-are-you-here-wssu-football/ "DOCUMENTARIES: So Hard To Be A Ram: Why Are You Here?" By Steven J. Gaither, Posted on August 21, 2017
...."The title of the web-series/documentary “So Hard To Be A Ram” comes from the school’s unofficial fight song. It was also the title of an earlier documentary shot 10 years ago by my late friend Jonathan Wedlock, a former football player who passed away earlier this year way too soon. This is a tribute to him as much as anything."...

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THREE LINKS TO BRIEF CLIPS OF ITS SO HARD TO BE A RAM" IN OTHER YOUTUBE VIDEOS
The links to these videos are given in no particular order.
1. From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ch1hxwY-rrU&ab_channel=DrLock1007
"So Hard To Be a Ram (Movie Preview)
DrLock1007, May 9, 2007
[0 -.30 in this video]

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2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bjx8IrRp0t0&ab_channel=ArtistryPhotography

2014 WSSU Homecoming Cheerleaders, So Hard to Be a R.A.M.
Artistry Photography, Oct 18, 2014
[0-.47 in this video]

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3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J6TYEy01Nw&ab_channel=HBCUGameday "So Hard To Be A Ram: No. 1 with a Bullet"

HBCUGameday, Aug 30, 2017
[0-.22 in this video]

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DEFINITION OF "FLOATING VERSES"
Here's a definition of "floating verses" from  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traditional_blues_verses
"Traditional blues verses in folk-music tradition have also been called floating lyrics or maverick stanzas. Floating lyrics have been described as “lines that have circulated so long in folk communities that tradition-steeped singers call them instantly to mind and rearrange them constantly, and often unconsciously, to suit their personal and community aesthetics”...
-snip-
"Floating Verses" is a term that has been mostly used to refer to Blues. However, that term can also be used to refer to certain verses that are found in Spirituals and Gospel and the same or other verses that are found in children's recreational rhymes, and/or other genres of music. 

"I would not be a sinner" is the first line for the WSSU song "It's So Hard To Be A Ram". That verse is a very common floating verse in certain African American Spirituals.

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ONE EXAMPLE OF AN AFRICAN AMERICAN SPIRITUAL THAT INCLUDES THE FLOATING VERSE THAT WAS ADAPTED FOR THIS WSSU SONG

JESUS IS A ROCK IN A WEARY LAND (African American Gospel)
(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

Verse #1
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."
-snip-
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/12/david-w-carter-choir-jesus-is-rock-in.html for the pancocojams post entitled "David W. Carter Choir- "Jesus Is A Rock In A Weary Land" (African American Gospel song with contemporary lyrics & with older lyrics for this song)".

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Visitor comments are welcome.

A 1935 Version Of The African American Gospel Song "Jesus Is A Rock In A Weary Land"

 Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part III of a three part pancocojams series on the Gospel song "Jesus Is A Rock" (also known as "A Shelter In The Time Of A Storm", and "Jesus Is A Rock In A Weary Land" . Part III presents the lyrics to a 1935 version of "Jesus Is A Rock". That version was collected in an interview with Wallace Quaterman, Fort Frederica, St. Simons Island, Georgia (Gullah), June 1935. This was part of the Voices From the Days of Slavery archive (United States' Works Progress Administration) which held those interviews to document the experiences of former slaves.

The Addendum to Part III presents lyrics to a version of this song that also includes the lyrics "Stop and let me tell you about Chapter [insert number]. Those lyrics were found in a Mudcat folk music discussion thread. 

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/12/david-w-carter-choir-jesus-is-rock-in.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. Part I showcases a YouTube video of a gospelized version of the 19th African American Gospel song "Jesus Is A Rock In A Weary Land" that is sung by Dallas, Texas' David W. Carter Choir. I don't know when that performance was recorded, but from the hair styles, it appears that it could have been in 2017, shortly before this video was published on YouTube.

The lyrics of a very similar arrangement of that song are included in this post along with lyrics for the song "A Shelter In The Time Of The Storm". A comment about how the song "Jesus is a Rock" was sung in Mississippi is also included in this post. Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/12/rev-milton-brunson-thompson-community.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. Part II showcases a YouTube sound file of "Jesus Is A Rock" that was recorded in 1984 by Rev. Milton Brunson & Thompson Community Singers. A portion of the lyrics for that version of  "Jesus Is A Rock" are included in that post along with selected comments from that sound file's discussion thread.

****

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Vernon J. Charlesworth and Ira D. Sankey for composing the lyrics and music to "A Shelter In The Time Of A Storm". Thanks to the unknown and known composers and arrangers of Gospel versions of this song. Thanks also to Wallace Quaterman for his memory of this song and thanks to the Voices From the Days of Slavery archive (United States' Works Progress Administration). In addition, thanks to the cuny.edu for publishing this portion of the interview with Wallace Quaterman on the internet.

-snip- A "gospelized hymn" is a hymn that is recorded in a gospel style. **** 1935 VERSION OF "JESUS IS A ROCK" Source: Wallace Quarterman, “"Jesus is a Rock in a Weary Land",” SHEC: Resources for Teachers, accessed December 5, 2020, https://herb.ashp.cuny.edu/items/show/843. [Pancocojams Editor's Note: The content of this page is presented "as is" from that page, without any notes, reformatting, or spelling changes. A mp3 sound file is also found on that internet site.]

" "Jesus is a Rock in a Weary Land" "

The lyrics and audio recording presented here are from an interview with Wallace Quarterman conducted in 1935, at Fort Frederica, St. Simons Island, Georgia. These interviews were part of the Works Progress Administration, and documented the experiences of former slaves. Among the interviewers was author Zora Neale Hurston.

Jesus is a Rock in a Weary Land

My god is a rock in a weary land.
Shelter in a time of storm.
He is the lily of the valley.
And he is the prince of peace.
When they put old John in the island
When they put old John in the island Patmos ??? Jesus proved he is born in peace My God is the rock in this weary land. Weary land. In the weary land. My God is the rock in the weary land. Shelter in the time of storm. Stop and let me tell you about the chapel of two. The Lord God's written his Bible too. Stop and let me tell you about the chapel of three. My god died on Calvary. Then I know he is a rock in this weary land. Weary land. In a weary land. My God is the rock in this weary land. Shelter in this time of storm. He is the maker of little lambs of God. He is the prince of peace. When they put old John in the ??? Jesus proved that born in peace. My god is the rock in this weary land. Weary land. In the weary land. My god is the rock in this weary land. Shelter in this time of storm. Stop and let me tell you about the chapel of four. The lord God's busy don't amount to four. Stop and let me tell you about the chapel of five. The Lord God's brought us so stand alive. Stop and let me tell you about the chapel of six. He ready Jerusalem and healed the sick. Then I know he's a rock in a weary land. Weary land. In a weary land. My God is a rock in this weary land. Shelter in a time of storm. Stop and let me tell you about the chapel of seven. The Lord God's risen and he went to heaven. Stop and let me tell you about the chapel of eight. I seen him standing at the golden gate. Stop and let me tell you about the chapel of nine. The Lord God's turning that water to wine. Stop and let me tell you about the chapel of ten. John said he's coming in the world again. Then I know he's a rock in this weary land. Weary land. In this weary land.

[groove damage]

I know he's a rock in this weary land. Shelter in a time of storm. He's the lily of the valley. He's the brightest morning star. When they put old Daniel in the lion's den, Jesus locked the lion's jaws. And I know he's a rock in this weary land. Weary land. In the weary land. And I know he's a rock in a weary land. Shelter in a time of storm.

SOURCE | Wallace Quarterman, "Interview with Wallace Quaterman, Fort Frederica, St. Simons Island, Georgia (Gullah), June 1935 (part 1 of 3), " June 1935, from Library of Congress, Voices From the Days of Slavery archive, http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.afc/afc9999001.0341a.

-snip- The beginning lyrics about "John in Patmos" refers to the writer of the Bible's book of Revelations. Quoting from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_of_Patmos : "John of Patmos (also called John the Revelator, John the Divine, John the Theologian, and possibly John the Apostle; Greek: Ἰωάννης ὁ Θεολόγος; Coptic: ⲓⲱⲁⲛⲛⲏⲥ) could be the author named as John in the Book of Revelation, the apocalyptic text forming the final book of the New Testament.

The text of Revelation states that John was on Patmos, a Greek island where, by most biblical historians, he is considered to have been exiled as a result of anti-Christian persecution under the Roman emperor Domitian."

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/04/john-revelator.html for the 2013 pancocojams post entitled "Sound Files Of "John The Revelator" by Blind Willie Johnson & by Son House". 
**** ADDENDUM: ANOTHER VERSION OF THIS SONG THAT INCLUDES SIMILAR LYRICS From https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=17722

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
-snip- There are several YouTube versions of "Stop and let me tell you about chapter [insert number]. One of them is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBCYaveGWqg&ab_channel=Tom%26Liz

Here's the summary of that video of that choral group (which consists of all White singers/musicians, and the conductor) : "MY GOD IS A ROCK" is an African American spiritual arranged by Ken Berg, performed by The Morris Knolls HS Chorale & directed by Michael Semancik." [continues with the same lyrics that are found in that quoted Mudcat comment. Comments are turned off for this video]

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Visitor comments are welcome.

Rev. Milton Brunson & Thompson Community Singers - Jesus Is A Rock (1984 Gospel sound file, lyrics, & comments)

Gospel Nostalgia, Sept. 18, 2014

1This is track 2 from the 1984 album "Miracle Live".

**** Edited by Azizi Powell This is Part II of a three part pancocojams series on the Gospel song "Jesus Is A Rock" (also known as "A Shelter In The Time Of A Storm", and "Jesus Is A Rock In A Weary Land" .

Part II showcases a YouTube sound file of "Jesus Is A Rock" that was recorded in 1984 by Rev. Milton Brunson & Thompson Community Singers. A portion of the lyrics for that version of  "Jesus Is A Rock" are included in that post along with selected comments from that sound file's discussion thread.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/12/david-w-carter-choir-jesus-is-rock-in.html for Part I of this pancocojams series. Part I showcases a YouTube video of a gospelized version of the 19th African American Gospel song "Jesus Is A Rock In A Weary Land" that is sung by Dallas, Texas' David W. Carter Choir. I don't know when that performance was recorded, but from the hair styles, it appears that it could have been in 2017, shortly before this video was published on YouTube.

The lyrics of a very similar arrangement of that song are included in this post along with lyrics for the song "A Shelter In The Time Of The Storm". A comment about how the song "Jesus is a Rock" was sung in Mississippi is also included in this post.
Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/12/a-1935-version-of-african-american.html for Part III of this pancocojams series. Part III presents the lyrics to a 1935 version of "Jesus Is A Rock". That version was collected in an interview with Wallace Quaterman, Fort Frederica, St. Simons Island, Georgia (Gullah), June 1935. This was part of the Voices From the Days of Slavery archive (United States' Works Progress Administration) which held those interviews to document the experiences of former slaves.

The Addendum to Part III presents lyrics to a version of this song that also includes the lyrics "Stop: Let me tell you about Chapter [insert number]. Those lyrics were found in a Mudcat folk music discussion thread. 
 

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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 Vernon J. Charlesworth and Ira D. Sankey for composing the lyrics and music to "A Shelter In The Time Of A Storm". Thanks to the unknown and known composers and arrangers of Gospel versions of this song. Thanks also to the Rev. Milton Brunson & Thompson Community Singers, all those who are quoted in this post, and thanks to the publisher of sound file on YouTube.

-snip- A "gospelized hymn" is a hymn that is recorded in a gospel style. **** SELECTED COMMENTS INCLUDING PORTIONS OF THE LYRICS TO THIS ARRANGEMENT OF "JESUS IS A ROCK" From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2Gu3hucUeE&ab_channel=GospelNostalgia These comments are given in chronological order with the oldest comments first, except for replies. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

1. Hubert Collins, 2014 "LOVE THIS SONG!!!  I think this is the song that brought choir modulations to the forefront." -snip- From https://www.musictheoryacademy.com/understanding-music/modulation/ "Modulation describes the process where a piece of music changes from one key to another key."...

** 2. Kevin Bouknight, 2016 "Long before Ricky and Hezzy would make the sopranos climb the musical Mt. Everest, this song started it. 

Ricky and Hezzy would modulate at least 8 more times...lol -snip- "Ricky" refers to Ricky Dillard & The New Generation. "Hezzy" refers to Hezekiah Walker. ** Reply 3. Latosha Warren, 2018 "I'm so weak right now! Being a soprano those hezzy songs were HIGH. But Milton Brunson was excellent training! ** Reply 4. 8-Bit Ernie, 2018 "Douglas Miller liked to modulate also"

** 5. Lovie Binion, 2016 "Yes He is a rock in a weary land, need more songs like this today for strength when going through."

** 6. Felicia Rogers, 2017 "I love these songs! They are called Throwbacks now but the Anointing and Spirit are present."

** 7. Robert Phillips, 2017 "I need lyrics please!!" ** Reply 8. Deborah Anderson, 2018 Jesus is a Rock in weary land Jesus is a Rock in weary land Jesus is a Rock in weary land He’s a shelter in time of storm He’ll be there when everything goes wrong Jesus is a Rock in a weary land Jesus is a Rock in a weary land He’s a Rock of Shelter Jesus is a Rock in a weary land He’s a Rock of Shelter Jesus is a Rock in a weary land

Jesus is a Rock Jesus is a Rock in a weary land ** 9. Latosha Warren, 2018 "They're band was hittin'! lol THE HORNS. I love this album.

so many memories!" ** Reply 10. Darrel Sims, 2020 "Latosha Warren not to mention how steady the drummer is, with no track like e use these days. Kevin Brunson was a beast!!!! 

** Reply 11. Desmond D. Collins, 2020 "Band was 🔥🔥. My God.

Listening in 2020. This ole school gospel!! Yes Lord."

** 12. Aundre Scott, 2020 "Yes Suuuhhhh!!! The Horns and the FOUR PART Harmony!!! Sopranos, Altos, Tenors and Baritones"

** 13. Professor LaDerrick Williams, 2020 When that organ holds that key starting @2:23! This whole song is funky!!!

**** Thanks for visiting pancocojams. Visitor comments are welcome.

David W. Carter Choir- "Jesus Is A Rock In A Weary Land" (African American Gospel song with contemporary lyrics & with older lyrics for this song)

DallasISD, 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. -snip- "Dallas ISD (Dallas Independent School District" is also known as Dallas (Texas) Public Schools) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas_Independent_School_District

**** Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I of a three part pancocojams series on the Gospel song "Jesus Is A Rock" (also known as "A Shelter In The Time Of A Storm", and "Jesus Is A Rock In A Weary Land" . This pancocojams post showcase a gospelized version of the Christian hymn "A Shelter In The Time Of A Storm". This Gospel version is sung by Dallas, Texas' David W. Carter Choir. I don't know when this performance was recorded, but from the hair styles, it appears that it could have been in 2017, shortly before this video was published on YouTube. The lyrics of a very similar arrangement of that song are included in this post along with lyrics for the song "A Shelter In The Time Of The Storm". A comment about how the song "Jesus is a Rock" was sung in Mississippi is also included in this post. Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/12/rev-milton-brunson-thompson-community.html for Part II of this pancocojams series. Part II showcases a YouTube sound file of "Jesus Is A Rock" that was recorded in 1984 by Rev. Milton Brunson & Thompson Community Singers. A portion of the lyrics for that version of  "Jesus Is A Rock" are included in that post along with selected comments from that sound file's discussion thread.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2020/12/a-1935-version-of-african-american.html for Part III of this pancocojams series. Part III presents the lyrics to a 1935 version of "Jesus Is A Rock". That version was collected in an interview with Wallace Quaterman, Fort Frederica, St. Simons Island, Georgia (Gullah), June 1935. This was part of the Voices From the Days of Slavery archive (United States' Works Progress Administration) which held those interviews to document the experiences of former slaves.

The Addendum to Part III presents lyrics to a version of this song that also includes the lyrics "Stop: Let me tell you about Chapter [insert number]. Those lyrics were found in a Mudcat folk music discussion thread. 
 

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

All copyrights remain with their owners. Thanks to Vernon J. Charlesworth and Ira D. Sankey for composing the hymn "A Shelter In The Time Of A Storm", Thanks to the unknown and known composers/arrangers of Gospel versions of this song. Thanks also to the David W. Carter Choir, all those who are quoted in this post, and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube. -snip- A "gospelized hymn" is a hymn that is recorded in a gospel style.

**** LYRICS: JESUS IS A ROCK
(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

(Sopranos & Altos)

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.

(Tenors)

I would not be a backslider.

I will tell you the reason why.

I'm afraid my Lord might call my name.

And I wouldn't be ready to die.

(Chorus)

(Verse)

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'

(2nd Chorus)

Then you know he is a rock in a weary land

A weary land

A weary land

Then you know he is a rock in a weary land

A shelter in the time of storm

 

(Vamp)

Sopranos

Jesus is a rock in a weary land

A weary land

Oh yes he's a rock

YES in a weary land

A shelter in the time of storm

(Repeat)

 *Altos

Jesus is a rock he is my shelter in the time of storm

Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh

YES in a weary land

A shelter in the time of storm

(Repeat)

*Tenors

Jesus is a rock he is my shelter in the time of storm

Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh Oh

YES in a weary land

A shelter in the time of storm

(Repeat)

*Bass

Jesus is a Rock in a weary

In the time of storm

oh oh oh He is A Rock of Ages in a weary land

A shelter in the time of storm

(repeat)

(To the end the song)

A shelter in the time of storm

Source: http://www.allgospellyrics.com/?sec=listing&lyricid=4890
-snip-
This is one arrangement for this Gospel song. This arrangement is quite similar to the rendition that is performed in the embedded video.

****
LYRICS: A SHELTER IN TIME OF THE STORM
From https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=17722

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" **** COMMENT ABOUT HOW "JESUS IS A ROCK" WAS SUNG IN MISSISSIPPI From https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=17722  Subject: RE: Lyr Req: My God He Is a Rock From: Jerry Rasmussen Date: 02 Dec 03 - 11:10 AM ...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.". -snip- For the record, I was a member of Mudcat folk music forum for some time (but not until late 2004). Rasmussen is a White man who shared that he sung with a church chorus which was integrated (with-if I recall correctly- two African American men. I believe that the Chorus Director who is mentioned in this comment was one of those African American men.

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