Staple Singers - I'll Take You There (information, examples, lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases the Staple Singers performing the 1972 Soul record "I'll Take You There".

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the Staples Singers for their 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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INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SONG
From http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=2173
"This was the first of two #1 hits for the Staple Singers. The other is "Let's Do It Again." The Staple Singers were among the first groups to move from Gospel to inspirational Soul music. Said lead singer Mavis Staples: "When we heard Dr. Martin Luther King preach, we said, 'If he can preach this, we can sing it.'"

Stax Records vice-president Al Bell (born Avertis Isabell) wrote this after attending the funeral of his little brother, who was shot to death. Says Bell: "I went out in the backyard in my father's home. He had an old school bus there parked that was not running. I went back there and sat on the hood of that bus thinking about all that was happening. And all of a sudden, I hear this music in my head. And I heard these lyrics: 'I know a place, ain't nobody worried, ain't nobody crying, and ain't no smiling faces lying to the races, I'll take you there.' I heard it, and I heard the music. And it wouldn't leave, it stayed there. kept trying to write other verses, but I couldn't. Nothing worked - there was nothing left to say."

Bell brought out this song at the end of a recording session with the band. Says Bell: "Mavis couldn't get into it, she couldn't feel it, so I stood there on the floor and tried to sing it to the guys, as they got the music and they got into it. After getting it down, later on, I came back and sat with Mavis and, after a while, she started feeling it and giving in to that rhythm. Of course, she took it to heights that only a Mavis Staples can take it. Nobody else could do it justice, and I guess it was supposed to be that way."

Al Bell singed The Staple Singers in 1968, after they had been released from Epic Records - Bell was an old friend of the family dating from his time in the '50s as a concert promoter in Little Rock, Arkansas. At this point, The Staples moved away from protest songs and recorded what they called "message music." .... At Muscle Shoals, the Staples found the sound that would make them stars, and in August, 1971, they recorded their hit "I'll Take You There."

Many elements of this song, including the famous intro, were based on a Jamaican instrumental song called "The Liquidator" by the Harry J Allstars*, which was a #9 UK hit in 1969. Al Bell, who had made frequent trips to Jamaica, brought the record into the session and played it for the band, who used it as a template. They thought the record was a demo Bell made, and didn't find out until many years later that they lifted an existing song. David Hood, who played bass on this track, told us: "The Liquidator thing, we didn't know what that was. As I recall, he came in and brought what they call a dub. It was like an acetate or something, a disk that you put on the record player and play. And it had no lyrics on it. We just thought it was an instrumental track that somebody had done for a song. And it was only years later when I found out that that had been a record."

The Reggae influence on this song is also a result of Hood and Muscle Shoals drummer Roger Hawkins, who had just toured with the British rock group Traffic. Bob Marley and the Wailers were signed to Traffic's label, and every night on tour, Traffic would play the Wailers album Catch A Fire, which Hood and Hawkins absorbed. Additionally, Muscle Shoals guitarist Jimmy Johnson was coming off a vacation in Jamaica, and he brought back a bunch of records which he distributed to the other musicians."...
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*Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/01/harry-j-all-stars-liquidator-1969.html for a pancocojams post on The Harry J All Stars - "The Liquidator".

Also, click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2016/01/tony-scott-what-am-i-to-do-ska-classic.html for a pancocojams post on Tony Scott's song "What Am I To Do".

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SHOWCASE VIDEO: he Staple Singers - I'll Take You There (1972)



DetroitLives313, Uploaded on Sep 10, 2009

There are certain songs that were so universally popular that they define moments in our lives. Well the Staple Singers' "I'll Take You There" definitely qualifies as one of those songs. Written by Alvertis Isbell, produced by Al Bell this song was the number one song nationally by June of 1972 and it hasn't stopped playing somewhere since!

There sound has never been duplicated and I don't believe it ever will. Here's just a small taste of a classic.

Here they are: Pops, Mavis, Cleotha and Yvonne hailing from Chicago by way of Mississippi! The Staple Singers!

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LYRICS: I'LL TAKE YOU THERE
(Songwriter: Alvertis Isbell aka Al Bell)

Oh mmm I know a place
Ain't nobody cryin'
Ain't nobody worried
Ain't no smilin' faces
Mmm, no no
Lyin' to the races
Help me, come on, come on
Somebody, help me now (I'll take you there)
Help me, ya'all (I'll take you there)
Help me now (I'll take you there)
Oh! (I'll take you there)
Oh! Oh! Mercy! (I'll take you there)
Oh, let me take you there (I'll take you there)
Oh-oh! Let me take you there! (I'll take you there)

Play your, play your piano now
All right Ah do it do it
Come on now
Play on it, play on it
Daddy daddy daddy
Ooh, Lord
All right now
Baby, easy now
Now, come on, little lady
All right
Dum-dum-dum-dum
Sock it, sock it
Ah, oh, oh!

I know a place, ya'all (I'll take you there)
Ain't nobody cryin' (I'll take you there)
Ain't nobody worried (I'll take you there)
No smilin' faces (I'll take you there)
Uh-uh (Lyin' to the races) (I'll take you there)
Oh, no Oh! (I'll take you there)
Oh oh oh! (I'll take you there)
Mercy now! (I'll take you there)
I'm callin' callin' callin' mercy (I'll take you there)
Mercy mercy! (I'll take you there)
Let me (I'll take you there)
Oh oh! I'll take you there (I'll take you there)

Source: http://www.metrolyrics.com/ill-take-you-there-lyrics-the-staple-singers.html

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Examples Of "Glory Glory Hallelujah (Since I Laid My Burdens Down" (various arrangements)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series on the African American religious song "Glory Glory Hallelujah Since I Laid My Burden Down" (also known as "Since I Laid My Burden Down").

Part I showcases eight examples of different arrangements of "Glory Glory Hallelujah" as performed by African American vocalists, groups, and choirs.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/02/examples-of-glory-glory-hallelujah_23.html for Part II of this post.

Part II showcases four examples of performances of that song that use James Hall's arrangement and two examples of performances of that song that use New Directions' arrangement.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who featured in this post. Thanks also to the publishers of these examples on YouTube and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

This series was inspired by the song "Glory" by Common & John Legend. That song from the 2014 movie Selma, was awarded an Oscar for Best Song at the 2015 Academy Awards ceremony.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/02/common-john-legend-glory-examples.html for a pancocojams post about that song.

The song "Glory" (from the movie "Selma") and the gospelized Spiritual " Glory Glory Hallelujah" also calls to mind "The Battle Hymn Of The Republic" with its lyrics "Glory Glory Hallelujah/His truth is marching on". Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jRnL6fRdcc for a performance of this song by the U.S. Army Chorus.

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INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SONG
"Glory Glory Hallelujah (Since I Laid My Burdens Down" is what I refer to as a "gospelized spiritual", meaning an African American Spiritual which is performed in a Gospel style. The performances that are showcased in this series are only a small sample of how "Glory Glory Hallelujah" has been sung.

According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glory,_Glory_(Lay_My_Burden_Down)
"Glory, Glory" (also known as "When I Lay My Burden Down", "Since I Laid My Burden Down", "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah" and other titles) is an American spiritual song, which has been recorded by many artists in a variety of genres, including folk, country, blues, rock, and gospel.
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Click http://ncfmusic.com/media/ext/lyrics/Glory_glory_hallelujah_lyrics.pdf for standard lyrics to this song.

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FEATURED EXAMPLES
These examples are presented in chronological order based on their publishing dates on YouTube with the examples with the oldest dates presented first.

Example #1: Furry Lewis - When I lay my burden down



vleb Uploaded on Mar 7, 2006

Furry Lewis plays "When I lay my burden down" in a unusual way, Bukka White being in the audience

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Example #2: Miami Mass Choir - Glory, Glory



Ministry Through Song!, Uploaded on Jun 1, 2009
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Here's a comment from this sound file's viewer comment thread:
Bianca Walker, 2009
"Thats what im talking bout....old time church."

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Example #3: Peaceful Zion Mass Choir - Since I Laid My Burdens Down



MajorMelly, Uploaded on Aug 28, 2009

Peaceful Zion Baptist Church mass choir sings a powerful and soul-stirring gospel rendition of "Since I Laid My Burdens Down", led by Velda Virgil. This is at the 106th Annual Florida East Cost Baptist Convention on February 9, 2009. Dr. C. P. Preston, Pastor

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Example #4: Since I laid my burdens down -MOLF choir



Angela Walker, Uploaded on Jan 6, 2010
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Here are two comments from this video's viewer comment thread:
Angela Walker, 2012
"That is the Monument of Love Fellowship Choir, from San Diego, Calif. name of the Church was Monument of Love Fellowship Church, San Diego,CA"

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Louis Corder, 2011
"I was looking for the old people version, but I've never heard that before. That was really great! Now we're going to have to learn it. Whooh! Great energy!"

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Example #5: Since I've Laid My Burdens Down Mississippi John Hurt



leanannsidhe, Uploaded on May 5, 2010

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Example #6: The Staple Singers ::::: Glory,Glory,Hallelujah.


SixtiesOnly, Uploaded on Feb 10, 2011

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 (b. 1934), Pervis (b. 1935), Yvonne (b. 1936), and Mavis (b. 1939). They are best known for their 1970s hits "I'll Take You There", "Respect Yourself", and "Let's Do It Again".

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Example #7: ""Glory Glory Hallelujah "Since I laid my Burdens Down!!"" 7/3/11



W.C.MCCLINTON CHRISTIAN NEWS T.V. Uploaded on Jul 5, 2011

""Glory Hallelujah since I laid my Burdens Down!!""
Sis. Titka Cooper and Bertha Thomas
37th st Baptist Church [Oakland, California]

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Example #8: Glory, Glory Hallelujah! (Since I laid my burdens down)


Rogerjaeb1952, Published on Mar 24, 2012

Johnnie Settle Ensemble featuring Da bishop Darrell Hedrick

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This completes Part I of this series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Staple Singers - "Sit Down Servant" (Sound File, Lyrics, & Song Meaning)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This  pancocojams post provides a sound file of and lyrics to The Staple Singer's version of the African American spiritual "Sit Down Servant".

This post also includes a bonus sound file of "Sit Down Servant" by The Swan Silvertones, Dorothy Love Coates and The Original Gospel Harmonettes.

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

All rights to this material remains with their owners.
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FEATURED SOUND FILE: Sit Down Servant-STAPLES



Uploaded by GStrongRAW on Feb 2, 2009

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LYRICS: SIT DOWN SERVANT
One Group Member – Woh oh oh oh, sit down
Soloist – Now now now now no
Group –Sit down!
Soloist –Woh oh oh, please don’t make me
Group- Sit down!
Soloist – Cause I just got to heaven
Group- Sit down!
Soloist- Gonna walk all around.
Group –Sit down servant and rest a while. Sit down!
Soloist- Done call little David
Group- Sit down!
Soloist- With his rock and sling.
Group-Sit down!
Soloist I don’t wanta meet him.
Group- Sit down!
Soloist – He’s a dangerous man.
Group –Sit down servant and rest a while. Sit down!

Soloist - Sit down servant!
Group – I can’t sit down.
Soloist Sit down!
Group – Lord I can’t sit down.
Soloist - Sit down servant.
Group – I can’t sit down.
Just got to get to heaven and I can’t sit down.

[Soloist sings while group repeats “Can’t sit down” after every line]

So you can watch the sun
See how steady she run.
Don’t let it catch you with your work undone.
Joshua Joshua the son of Nun
He thought God almighty was a Gospel son
God spoke to Joshua to do My will.
He said lift up your hand, the sun stand still.
He give me a lantern and he told me to go.
He give me a harp and he told me to go.
If I threw my lungs away
I would get them back in a coming day.
When I get to heaven gonna put on my shoes
And walk around heaven and tell my news.
Look up to the hills in the heat of the day
Tune up my hart and begin to play.

Soloist - Sit down servant!
Group-I can’t sit down.
Soloist - Sit down servant.
Group-Oh I can’t sit down.
Soloist - You oughta sit down servant.
Group- I can’t sit down. Oh! I just got to heaven and I can’t sit down.
Soloist – Oh-o-o sit down servant.
Group –I can’t sit down.
Soloist – Sit down servant.
Group- I can’t sit down.
Soloist –Why don’t you sit down servant.
Group & Soloist – I can’t sit down. I just got to heaven and I can’t sit down.

[Transcription by Azizi Powell, 8/17/2012. Words in italics indicate that I am unsure of these words. Corrections and additions to this transcription are very welcome.]

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THE MEANING OF THE LYRICS TO "SIT DOWN SERVANT"
written by Azizi Powell, editor of  pancocojams blog;  https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/08/staple-singers-sit-down-servant-sound.html

A person arrives in heaven and is told to rest after his or her hard labor as a servant of the Lord. However, the person is so excited to be in heaven that he or she can't sit down and rest. Instead, that newly arrived soul wants to walk around heaven, and see Biblical figures, while retaining an awareness that they are dangerous beings. [I think in this context "dangerous" means "powerful". The person singing is being humble in recognizing a difference between himself or herself and the great Biblical persons mentioned in Biblical stories.]

The theme of being too excited to rest from your hard labor as a servant of God when you first get to heaven is also expressed in an alternative line to "I just got to heaven and I can't sit down". That line is "My soul is so happy that I can't sit down".

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BONUS SOUND FILE: Sit Down Servant


Uploaded by DaSourcespr06 on Oct 18, 2008

The Swan Silvertones and Dorothy Love Coates and The Original Gospel Harmonettes come together for a live performance of "Sit Down Servant"...

RELATED LINK
Click http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Staple_Singers for information about the Staple Singers.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/08/rev-james-cleveland-plenty-good-room.html for a post that features the related African American spiritual "Plenty Good Room".

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND THANKS
My thanks to the unknown composers of "Sit Down Servant". Thanks also to the Staple Singers and The Swan Silvertones and Dorothy Love Coates and The Original Gospel Harmonettes for their renditions of this song. Thanks to the uploader of this sound file.

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UPDATE August 2, 2015
Here's a video of the Staples Singers - Sit Down Servant. Hat tip to Anonymous August 2, 2015 for alerting me to this video.

The Staple Singers | Sit down servant



Álvaro Mazzino, Published on Apr 15, 2013

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