Three YouTube Videos Of African American Primitive Baptist Churches Singing, Hand Clapping, And Ring Shout-Like Movements

mtcalverypb, Mar 9, 2010

The Mount Calvary Primitive Baptist Association October 2009 which was held at Pleasant Grove Primitive Baptist Church. Our Next Session will be held at County Line Primitive Baptist Church on HWY 212 in Milledgeville, GA beginning Friday before the 1st Sunday in October 2010.

Moderator: Elder Tony Goggins

Clerk: Deacon Adolphus Williams
-snip-
This song is called "You better Run To The City Of Refuge". Click https://www.elyrics.net/read/d/dr.-cJ-johnson-lyrics/you-better-run-lyrics.html for the lyrics of a Black Gospel version of that song as sung by Dr, CJ Johnson. . 

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Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision- March 23, 2023

This pancocojams post is part of an ongoing pancocojams series on Old School Black Gospel Music.

This post provides some information about the Primitive Baptist (Christian denomination as well as some information and comments about African American Primitive Baptist churches singing, hand clapping, foot stomping, and ring shout-like worship traditions.

This post also showcases three YouTube video of an African American Primitive Baptist Church congregation in Georgia (United States) singing four old Gospel songs.

In addition, some comments from several YouTube discussion threads for videos showcasing this worship tradition are also included in this post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the unknown composers of the two songs that are featured in this embedded video and other songs that were/are sung by African American Primitive Baptist Church members.

Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these video on YouTube.
 -snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/05/african-american-ring-shouts-origins for a pancocojams post to compare this African American Primitive Baptist Church tradition with ring shouts.
 
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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2- Look Where He Brought Me From

KATHY PHELPS, Apr 28, 2011 Easter Sunday 2011 Mt. Carmel Primitive Baptist Church, Ideal, GA -snip- Notice how the members of the congregation sometimes rock around the table in the center of the front of the church.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #3-WALKING IN JERUSALEM JUST LIKE JOHN

KATHY PHELPS, Nov 7, 2011

Mt. Ramah Primitive Baptist Association 2011 Thomaston, GA

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INFORMATION ABOUT PRIMITIVE BAPTIST CHURCHES
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primitive_Baptists
"Primitive Baptists – also known as Hard Shell Baptists, Foot Washing Baptists or Old School Baptists – are conservative Baptists adhering to a degree of Calvinist beliefs who coalesced out of the controversy among Baptists in the early 19th century over the appropriateness of mission boards, tract societies, and temperance societies.[2][3] Primitive Baptists are a subset of the Calvinistic Baptist tradition.[1] The adjective "primitive" in the name is used in the sense of "original".[2]

History

The controversy over whether churches or their members should participate in mission boards, Bible tract societies, and temperance societies led the Primitive Baptists to separate from other general Baptist groups that supported such organizations, and to make declarations of opposition to such organizations in articles like the Kehukee Association Declaration of 1827.[3][4] The Kehukee Primitive Baptist Church released a proclamation that they rejected formal service institutions outside of the church…

[…]

Primitive Baptist churches arose in the mountainous regions of the American South, where they are found in their greatest numbers.[9][10]

African-American Primitive Baptist groups have been considered a unique category of Primitive Baptist. Approximately 50,000 African Americans are affiliated with African-American Primitive Baptist churches as of 2005.[11] Approximately 64,000 people were affiliated (as of 1995) with Primitive Baptist churches in the various other emergences of Primitive Baptists.[11]

Since arising in the 19th century, the influence of Primitive Baptists has waned as "Missionary Baptists became the mainstream".[4]

[…]

Distinct practices

Primitive Baptist practices that are distinguishable from those of other Baptists include a cappella singing, family integrated worship, and foot washing.

A cappella singing

Primitive Baptists generally do not play musical instruments as part of their worship services.[15] They believe that all church music should be a cappella because there is no New Testament command to play instruments, but only to sing.[14] Further, they connect musical instruments in the Old Testament with "many forms and customs, many types and shadows, many priests with priestly robes, many sacrifices, festivals, tithings" that they see as having been abolished; "had they been needed in the church Christ would have brought them over".[14]

African-American Primitive Baptists may not share the general Primitive Baptist opposition to musical instruments, however.[16]”…
-snip-
There are a few YouTube videos of American Primitive Baptist churches whose congregations are White Americans. 

"Rocking" (around a table in the front of the church or standing in place at the front of the church isn't a worship style in these churches. These congregations' song choices also appear to be different and their style of singing is different. 

Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LiIZ0kgn588 Old Harp Singing, Cades Cove Primitive Baptist Church, published by GreatSmokyMountains, August 20, 2013  and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_lYxMdYt84 10,000 Reasons (Primitive Baptist Singing), published by Vestavia Primitive Baptist Church, Jan 4, 2018 for two examples of YouTube videos of White American Primitive Baptist churches. 

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INFORMATION ABOUT (AFRICAN AMERICAN) PRIMITIVE BAPTIST "ROCKING" TRADITIONS

DISCLAIMER:
I'm not a member of a Primitive Baptist church and I have never attended any Primitive Baptist church. All of the information in this pancocojams post has been gleaned from online sources. Additions and corrections are very welcome.

"Rocking" and "Macon Rock" are terms that have been used to describe the way that African American Primitive Baptist congregations used to* sway from side to side while they sing their old Gospel songs. 

These old Gospel songs date from the late 19th century or the early 20th century. These Gospels songs which are also called "Jubilees" were/are sung a Capella without any musical instruments (including no tambourines), no microphones, and no choirs or separate praise and worship groups.*  

These three videos document some of the African American Primitive Baptist's tradition of singing congregational call & response songs without any musical instrument accompaniment. 

By "congregational call and response" I mean that those songs are started spontaneously and are sung by the entire congregation with more than one leader/caller.)  In these videos, while singing these songs a number of members of the congregation move in a circle in a ring shout -like manner at the front of the church. As shown in the video that is given as Example #2 in this post, sometimes these church members circle a table with a white cloth that is placed in the center of the front of the church. These men and women walk single file, singing, stomping their feet, and clapping their hands in 2 & 4 pattern, or clapping their church fan into the palm of their hands. This walk includes a slight dip to the song's beat.  

Alternatively, a number of members of these congregations may "rock" (sway from side to side) while standing in place while singing these songs. This stand in place worship tradition may have started some years after the first tradition that is described above, perhaps replacing the ring-shout like movements because of the lack of space at the front of the church's altar.

The members of the church who participate in the stand in place rocking style of praise and worship also clap their hands in 2 & 4 and/or double clap patterns and stomp their feet to the 2 & 4 beat to produce a bass like sound.

*I don't know if any African American Primitive Baptist churches still worship the way that is shown in these two embedded YouTube videos. More recent YouTube videos that I have watched of African American Primitive Baptist churches show those churches having a choir, electronic microphones, and musical instruments (snare drums, piano, and electric guitars). Those contemporary videos also don't show members of those congregations doing the ring shout-like "rocking" at the front of the altar. Furthermore, the songs in the videos of contemporary African American Primitive Baptist churches aren't examples of old school call & response songs.    

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SELECTED COMMENTS ABOUT AFRICAN AMERICAN PRIMITIVE BAPTIST SINGING, HAND CLAPPING, AND ROCKING (SWAYING FROM SIDE TO SIDE OR MOVING IN A CIRCLE IN FRONT OF THE ALTAR WHILE SINGING OLD GOSPEL SONGS

These comments are given in no particular order. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

Discussion thread #1
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCUd19FgZFs "We Will Wait Til Jesus Comes". published by Kathy Phelps, Nov 7, 2011

Mt. Ramah Primitive Baptist Association 2011 Thomaston, GA

1. Antuane Perkins, 2014
"My God My God! This is the type singing that I love! You sit there for as long as you can and you get so Spiritually full that you have to stand up and let the spirit work on you."

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2. Karen G., 2015
"every time I watch this video I love it more and more! y'all better SANG! Praise your HOLY NAME LORD"
-snip-
"Sang" is an African American Vernacular English present tense form of the word "sing" which means "to sing very well, especially to sing soulfully very well". "Sang" or "Sangin' can be a verb. "Sang!" can also be an exhortation.

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3. Connie Kent, 2016
"I am a Holy Ghost filled born again Christian but I am truly ignorant to this style of worship... can anyone tell me more about this?"

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Reply
4. kamaliyah, 2016
"praise and worship."

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Reply
5. K J, 2016
"this is how our parents on the slave plantations sung and worshipped in the fields gathered around in a circle by the water, fast forward to now what you see here"

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6. Matt S, 2022
"Sing your heart out and let the holy ghost fill you till you eneter extacy. The only one judging is god, no matter how you sing it just makes god happy that you sing his name. <3"

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7.  mary oyewole, 2016
"I remember this from a child in the primitive baptist church. please keep these recordings alive."

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8. Shay Barnes, 2018
"Hand clapping, feet stomping church! My kind of carrying on!!"

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9.. Ellijah Raines, 2018
"Yes Lord!! Churches has gotten away from this!"

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10. John Nightshade, 2019
"Reminds me of my grandfather's congregation in Kentucky when I was little boy.  People shouting and old folks swaying back and forth while the Holy Spirit moved through the building.  I miss those days when church was church,  farmers came in from the fields to give thanks to the Lord while the older ladies were cooking and singing in the back."

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11. Linda Bowens, 2020
"Would love to be in the circle praising God right along with them. This is what ya call having a good time, you didn't worry about getting out of service because you wanted to stay in the service. They take their time in worshipping. If we as nation do this, I truly believe things will change for us. Worship and having faith 🙏🏼❣️"

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12.  Miss SoftnSensual, 2022
"Reminds me of the old days at church with my great aunts. Foot stomping, clapping, and sanging along with the deacon's and mother's of the church during devotion.🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾"

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13. nghtwtchr9, 2023
"A lot of contemporary gospel sounds good and has a positive message, but something about the old school gospel that is truly anointed and uplifting no matter when you hear it today, tomorrow or even years later."

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Discussion thread #2
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKBhKHxBMQo

1. Chandra Carter, 2017
"I love this! Rocking without music just hand clapping and foot stomping and GOD"

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Discussion thread #3

From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcTu0njFdfc "My Soul Is A Witness For My Lord", published by Kathy Phelps, Nov 7, 2011

Mt. Ramah Primitive Baptist Association 2011 Thomaston, GA

1. Milton Kelly, 2012
"I love this! You can tell the spirit of the HolyGhost was with them. The best part was that they didn't have no instrument at all."

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2 .june briggs, 2013
"All primitive baptist rock up front of the church circling the table, just something we do!"

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3. Ashley Bailey-Harrell, 2013
"This is what I grew up on as a child. My grandmother and all my family attended Mt Moriah Primitive (HardShell) Baptist St. Petersburg Florida. They would have prayer meeting at her house and "rock" all night long!..Mattie, Lucille, Camilla, Hattie, Annie, Georgia..I know y'all rocking right now!..My grandmother favorite song was "I'm a solider"..Elder Snead sung it at her funeral way back in 1987.  Keep posting this is good!"

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4. James Williams, 2013
"Takes me back to Waynesboro, Ga. to Third Chapel MBC when my Great-grandmother used to sing in the choir!!! Man those was the days when it was chuch (Not church)........Chuch!!!!! Amen and Amen!!! We serve and AWESOME GOD!!!!"

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Reply
5. k. 2021
"This is no Choir, no Drums, no Organ, No Piano, no Tamberine, just pure hands voice and feet. WHO said your church can't have CHURCH without Instruments. Tha Devil is a liar. This is the best church service I've seen yet,,,I been with Primitive Baptist 19 years, Baptist 3 and Holiness 12,,, but I want the pure church service,,,DO Anyone watching see Any Competition, Too loud, Rolling eyes, Mic Hungry, Music too loud, And more NOPE. All in one place on one accord. That's why that generation LIVED long"

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6. Smoochz1, 2014
"Love the primintiive baptist, no more here in Columbus Ohio, but my parents belong to Prospect In Buena Vista Georgia grew up praising God just like this. " 

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Reply
7. Gregory Thornton, 2018
"Smoochz1 I am from Ellaville, GA live in Memphis,  TN now can't get this here"

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8.  BlkRose, 2014
"Good ole Primitive Baptist church singing ,stumping, and rocking"

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9. Shirletha Anderson, 2015
"I Love this song reminds me of  down home  singing  in S. C."

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Reply
10. Brent James, 2019
"South Carolina Yes Lord"

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11. mookkers decausey, 2016
"thats old school praising  lol  we didnt have a organ or durmmm  or a bass we had hands and feet and a voice and a memory

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12. Rox Smith, 2016
"I love to watch Deacon Phelps do his holy rock!"

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13.  Mz Hollywood, 2018

"Thank you so much. I grew up in the primitive Baptist Church. But when I hear them sing the songs now some of them singing different. I am glad you shared the words I wish more people will respond when people ask for the words. There is nothing like the old Primitive Baptist Church singing. Both of my parents are members of the New Prospect Primitive Baptist Church Pineville Buena Vista Georgia."

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14.  caldonia lewis, 2019
"There's a meaning in every old school song, why churches don't sing these songs anymore. I love old school songs. My soul is a witness for my Lord, HALLEUJAH ! Thank you Jesus. Sing saints of The Most High God sing!🙏🏾😍✝🌹👼🏽💯"

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15. Dee Harrison, 2019
"I pray that one day we can go back to these old ways. They understood the power of The Most High, they knew where to put their trust, love, dependency come he'll or high waters. To submit to The Lord in spirit and in truth.  My heart aches to go back to the old landmark where we stayed in The Presence of The Lord🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾"
-snip-
"The Old Landmark" is a title of an old school Gospel song. I believe that it also can refer to these types of old school African American Gospel songs.

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16. Jeffery Hall, Jr,, 2020
"🗣THIS HAS BROUGHT BACK MEMORIES OF MY GRANNY!!! She would sing a verse of this song over and over when I was a kid and I still remember!!!! 😍"

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17. Linda Bowens, 2020

"Back then there was no rushing, you would let The Holy Spirit have It's way, taking full control of the atmosphere. Didn't get tired of sanging the same verses over and over again, they just got better and better. Everybody was on one accord  got better and better. Everybody was on one accord."

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18. Jaye Johnson, 2020
"I grew up Baptist in the North and never heard of Primitive Baptist but I love it❤️"

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Discussion thread #4
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMuEWqraMTw "Elder Nathan Rolle--This May Be My Last  Time", published by Kathy Phelps, Nov 11, 2010

Mt Ramah Primitive Baptist Association 2010 Beauty Grove P.B. Church, Thomaston, GA

1. Lillie Fuse Williams, 2015
"Sometime it's good to back home.  Cause it may be the last time.  The circle and rock could be a way of being in the number and become a part of the praise. As today's waving . A church back  then could ROCK!"

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Reply
2. TD B, 2022
"Yes, the macon rock as my mom calls it. She's from macon. Ga"

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3. Aunt Yo, 2015
"Anyone know why they circle in the front?"

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Reply
4. Elder Maxwell Cotton, 2015
"they go around in a circle rocking"

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Reply
5. PatsBooks, 2016
"It's the ring shout."

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Reply
6. mssmmns, 2019
"This form of praise in a circle is prevalent in many West African, Caribbean, and South Carolina Gullah religious ceremonies. This our roots, sis!"

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7. Ann Jones, 2019
"An old Deacon used to sing this at my Grandmother’s Church , I sure miss this kind of Service"

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8. Chris Beatty, 2019
"We use to sing this in church when I was younger. I haven’t heard it in a while unless one of the older members, or preacher, starts to sings it. I was raised in in the Baptist way that we had musical instruments for the accompaniment, but this church is rocking it too. We get into it too because it may be our last time...we just don’t know it."

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9. Lorenzo Moore, 2020
"My old overseer used to sing this. She was from SC."

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Reply
10. Martin Smith,2020
"Well South Carolina is where much of the African part of us still remains due to the Gullah Geechee people. This song and the “ring shout” like movement makes me think they’re part of the reason this movement/style has been somewhat preserved and your overseer probably grew on this and it’s something that’s familiar for him or her"

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Discussion thread #5
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGnjpkUlZDY&t=37s "Walking In Jerusalem Just Like John", published by Kathy Phelps, Nov. 7, 2011

Mt. Ramah Primitive Baptist Association 2011 Thomaston, GA

1. K. J. Vibes, 2015
"Grew up Primitive Baptist. This takes me back.  No instruments needed; just hands, voices, and feet to praise God."

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2. donald frierson,2017
"This reminds me of growing up in Green view First Baptist Church when an elderly man or woman would get up singing and the church just falls in behind.  This is straight from Africa here.  Of course, we are to modern now and many churches don't have signing like this."

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3. Bruce Dexter,2022
"Hi. There are many different varieties of Primitive Baptists. In urban areas where I grew up my cousins were PB..National Primitive Baptist Convention USA and they Did use musical instruments,  had many Choirs and usually were the top members of Choir Unions. What differentiated them from Missionary Baptists was their Foot Washing at The Lord's Supper. They had tons of a capella Hymn lining and singing but also Gospel Singing with instruments. There really is nothing wrong with that. The 150th Psalm is all about Praise giving God All including with cymbals,  string instruments..All..so it is Biblically okay to do so . We can choose not to as well and that is to be respected but the Primitive Baptists on my family choose to use it all. I am a musician and if God Blessed me with a talent how can I reject it?"

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Seven Videos Of Tambourine Playing During African American Church Services

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases six videos of tambourine playing during African American church services and one video of an African American woman playing the tambourine playing while singing a Gospel song.

Comments from one of these video's discussion thread are also included in this post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos and thanks to all the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S COMMENT
Playing the tambourine during church services is considered a church ministry as it is a way of praising God and a way of helping to bring down the Holy Spirit.

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Video #1:"Ole Skool Saturday" Revival Temple "Highlights" Pt. 2 of 4



Old School Gospel Channel, Published on Jul 21, 2008

Revival Temple
"Ole Skool Saturday"aka"Old School

Praise The Old Time Way. Highlights Of the service various choirs and guest. TINY LUCAS is showing us how we praise God back in the day,old school style, July 12, 2008; Part.2 of 4
-snip-
Notice the woman playing washboard [first shown at around 2:48 in this video.]

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Video #2: Stretch Out - GHMBC



GreaterHarvestMBC, Published on Sep 8, 2010

@ The 3pm Live Radio Broadcast Sis.Ballard & Mass Choir tell us To Stretch Out On God's Word in the times of trouble @ The Greater Harvest MB Church 5141 S State Street In Chicago, IL 60609 Elder Eric Thomas Pastor ...
-snip-
Two choir members also play the washboard.

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Video #3: Now THIS is how you play a tambourine!!!!



Michael S. Fitts, Published on Jun 14, 2010

A woman really gets into her tambourine praise when The Birmingham Community Mass Choir of the Gospel Music Workshop of America along with SEM MUSIC PRODUCTIONS presents Mr. Daryl Coley at the Mount Moriah Baptist Church where Dr. Bernard Williams Sr. is pastor.

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Video #4: Carrie Robinson and Blind Jim Brewer



Just Vinny, Published on Mar 5, 2012

Vintage Gospel music and dancing on old Maxwell Street Market, Chicago. Gospel music co-existed with Blues in this open market.
-snip-

This film wasn't shot in a church building, but church can be held any place.

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Video #5: Tambourine Battle with the saints!!!!!!



Acs11871, Published on Jul 30, 2012

Praise Him...
-snip-
Here are some comments from this video's discussion thread, with numbers added for referencing purposes only:
1. Danielle Jordan, 2012
"thats me at church in sudays and i am baptist, at my church there is only four of us who actually play and we get serious like this too! But i do miss being petecostal!"

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2. Charity Dell, 2016
""Praise Him with tambourines and dancing!" (Psalm 150:4) The crisp, joyful exuberant sound of polyrhythms played on multiple tambourines....GLORY! :-)"

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3. Paul Jones, 2019
"This has to be a penecostal church.they look apostalic and remind of the holy spirit has takened over.
Wow those tambourines!!
I am shouting right now!
Ooh,glory!!!
Paul jones
Baltimore. Md."

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4. It's Mz Keshia 2U, 2019
"That's right, yall!! Beat the Devil outta them tambourines!!!!"

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Video #6: Tambourine Praise Break - 2015 #PAWinc Summer Convention



apostolic660, Published on Feb 16, 2016

Tambourine Praise Break during Holy Communion Service. Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. Centennial Convention in Detroit, MI. Thursday Morning 7/30/15 #PAWinc100

Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Inc. (http://www.pawinc.org) #PAWinc
Bishop Charles H. Ellis III, Presiding Bishop
Bishop Richard E. Young, 1st Assistant Presiding Bishop
Bishop Theodore Brooks, 2nd Assistant Presiding Bishop

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Video #7: Tambourines Praise Break - "Beat Those Tambourines For The LORD!"



GLT Church1, Published on Nov 23, 2018

Psalm 81:2 (GNT) "Start the music and beat the tambourines; play pleasant music on the harps and the lyres."

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Two Videos Of The Black Gospel Group The Delta Rhythm Boys Singing "Dry Bones" ("Dem Bones")

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases two videos of the Delta Rhythm Boys singing the Gospel song "Dry Bones" ("Dem Bones").

Information about the Delta Rhythm Boys is also included in this post.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the Delta Rhythm Boys for their musical legacy. Thanks to all who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

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INFORMATION ABOUT DELTA RHYTHM BOYS
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Delta_Rhythm_Boys
"The Delta Rhythm Boys were an American vocal group active for over 50 years from 1934 to 1987.

History
The group was first formed at Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma, in 1934 by Elmaurice Miller, Traverse Crawford, Essie Joseph Adkins, and Otho Lee Gaines. In 1936, they moved to Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana, where they worked under Frederick Hall and took the name Frederick Hall Quartet. Clinton Holland (soon replaced by Carl Jones) and Kelsey Pharr replaced Miller and Adkins. Rene DeKnight became their pianist.

The group appeared often in the 1940s on radio programs such as Amos and Andy and The Joan Davis Show, and performed on Broadway in the shows, Sing Out the News and Hot Mikado. They also appeared extensively in film—15 of them,[1] including in You'll Never Get Rich with Fred Astaire and Rita Hayworth. Aside from their own recordings, they served as background vocalists for Charlie Barnet, Mildred Bailey, Ella Fitzgerald, and Ruth Brown.

[...]

Their 1950s version of the spiritual song "Dem Bones" was a hit record for them (although recorded with the name "Dry Bones.") [2] They performed it on television extensively.

Later years
In the 1950s, they began to amass a large fan base in Europe, particularly in the Nordic countries where they recorded Swedish, Danish and Finnish songs mixing English and the local languages. Meanwhile, their fame was diminishing in America, so in 1956, the group relocated to Europe and performed there for a few more decades. Billy Moore toured with them as an accompanist in the 1960s."...

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SHOWCASE VIDEOS

Example #1: Delta Rhythm Boys - Dry Bones [1940s]



Weirdo Video, Published on Nov 1, 2006

The Delta Rhythm Boys were an American vocal group active for over 50 years from 1934 to 1987.

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Example #2: Delta Rhythm Boys ---Dry Bones [1950s]



nipsipone, Published on Aug 12, 2009
-snip-
Here's a comment from this video's discussion thread:
Ahshar Ibadyah, 2017
"Ezekiel Chapter 37, talking about the children of Israel receiving the spirit of God after being without the spirit of the Lord for so long. Just so happens that they're away from their home, a dead body in the great city known as Babylon the Great, Revelations 11. Then the spirit of the Lord entered into them and all was brought to their remembrance. They no longer were those dry bones, that dead body. They became again the mighty mighty Israelites. Much like these men. Israelites."

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LYRICS: DRY BONES ("DEM BONES")
(as sung by Delta Rhythm Boys)

Ezekiel connected dem dry bones
Ezekiel connected dem dry bones
Ezekiel connected dem dry bones
Now I hear the word of the Lord

Well, your toe bone connected to your foot bone
Your foot bone connected to your heel bone
Your heel bone connected to your ankle bone
Your ankle bone connected to your leg bone
Your leg bone connected to your knee bone
Your knee bone connected to your thigh bone
Your thigh bone connected to your hip bone
Your hip bone connected to your back bone
Your back bone connected to your shoulder bone
Your shoulder bone connected to your neck bone
Your neck bone connected to your head bone
I hear the word of the Lord!

A dem bones, dem bones gonna walk around
A dem bones, dem bones, gonna walk around
A dem bones, dem bones, gonna walk around
I hear the word of the Lord!

Disconnect dem bones, dem dry bones
Disconnect dem bones, dem dry bones
Disconnect dem bones, dem dry bones
An' I hear the word of the Lord!

Well, your head bone connected from your neck bone
Your neck bone connected from your shoulder bone
Your shoulder bone connected from your back bone
Your back bone connected from your hip bone
Your hip bone connected from your thigh bone
Your thigh bone connected from your knee bone
Your knee bone connected from your leg bone
Your leg bone connected from your ankle bone
Your ankle bone connected from your heel bone
Your heel bone connected from your foot bone
Your foot bone connected from your toe bone
An' I hear the word of the Lord! Oh well

A dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones
A dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones
A dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones
An' I hear the word of the Lord! Mmmh

A dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones
A dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones
A dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones
An' I hear the word of the Lord!

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Gospel Quartet The Swan Silvertones At The Newport Jazz Festival (1966) - "Only Believe" (information, video, lyrics, & comments)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post provides information about The Swan Silvertones and showcases a video of the Gospel group The Swan Silvertones performing their version of "Only Believe".

Selected comments from that video's discussion thread are also included in this post.

My attempted transcription of the lyrics to that song from that video are included in this post.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2013/11/seven-songs-by-swan-silvertones-gospel.html for an earlier pancocojams post entitled

That post includes additional information about The Swan Silvertones.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to The Swan Silvertones for their musical legacy and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.

Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post. Special thanks to pancocojamss visitor Luigi Erba for requesting a transcription of this song.

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INFORMATION ABOUT THE SWAN SILVERTONES
From https://sites.google.com/site/pittsburghmusichistory/pittsburgh-music-story/gospel/swan-silvertones
"The Swan Silvertones, one of the greatest Gospel groups of all time along with the Dixie Hummingbirds and the Soul Stirrers, made their home in Pittsburgh from the late 1940s through the 1960s. Over their thirty year career they were one of the most influential and revered vocal groups.

Their uptempo jubilee shout style gospel music, rich harmonies, and lead falsetto influenced Doo Wop and R&B singers. They recorded for the King, Specialty, Vee-Jay, HOB, and Savoy labels releasing over sixty singles and several albums between 1946 and 1979. Their music has been reissued on ten Swan Silvertones compilations since their breakup. Their biggest hit "Oh Mary Don't You Weep" with the line "I'll be a bridge over deep water..." inspired Paul Simon to compose "Bridge Over Troubled Water". The Swan Silvertones were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002 and the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2003.

Claude Jeter, the lead singer and founder of the Swan Silvertones is credited for influencing the singing styles of Sam Cooke, Al Green, Smokey Robinson, Curtis Mayfield, Drifters founder Clyde McPhatter, and Eddie Kendricks. Jeter pioneered falsetto singing in African American music and is credited as the father of fallsetto.. His strong falsetto leads backed by three-part harmonies was adapted by Doo-wop and R&B groups. Jeter was elected into the American Gospel Quartet Convention Hall of Fame in 1996."...
-snip-
This excerpt is reformatted to enhance its readability.

****
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SWAN SILVERTONES AT THE NEWPORT JAZZ FESTIVAL (1966)
From https://www.nepr.net/post/swan-silvertones-gospel-newport#stream/0
"The legendary Claude Jeter made one of his final appearances as leader of the Swan Silvertones at the 1966 Newport Folk Festival. The Silvertones founder was 52 at the time, and he would live another 42 years, but by then he'd tired of the ceaseless travel and modest reward of the gospel highway. In his groundbreaking chronicle The Gospel Sound: Good News and Bad Times, Tony Heilbut began his chapter on Jeter and Julius Cheeks of the Sensational Nightingales by noting that, "Vocal styles cannot be copyrighted, and it's a cause of endless frustration for the gospel singers to see the world enrich their disciples while they sing for free-will offerings in store-front churches." Heilbut titled the chapter, "The Fathers of Soul," and names a few of their iconic disciples: the Temptations, the Impressions, James Brown, and Wilson Pickett.

[...]

The Silvertones' Newport appearance came one year after Paul Butterfield, Mike Bloomfield, and Bob Dylan set off sparks that placed the festival in the forefront of new directions in American music. For Newport '66, the festival's board put together a more traditional program with gospel by the Silvertones, Dixie Hummingbirds, and the Original Gospel Harmonettes; blues by Skip James, Bukka White, and Son House; a showcase called 'The City' with Howlin' Wolf, and Chuck Berry; "plain folksinging" by Phil Ochs, Judy Collins, and Carolyn Hester; bluegrass by Dock Boggs and Hazel Dickens; and what festival producer George Wein called "a small but noteworthy concession to the folk-rock trend," the Blues Project and the Lovin' Spoonful"...

****
SHOWCASE VIDEO: The Swan Silvertones - Only Believe (Live)



JAMESP0WER, Published on Mar 28, 2015

The Swan Silvertones
Claude Jeter
Louis Johnson
Paul Owens
William "Pete" Connor
-snip-
Here are selected comments from that video's discussion thread:
Debbie Mcintosh, 2017
"My Lord, this is what you call good old gospel singing love it.
thanks for posting"

**
Terry Arnold, 2017
"Just called in for my weekly fix of this magnificent piece of gospel music. Their voices blend so beautifully that it really is such a pleasure to hear the gorgeous harmony of these wonderful singers. This is so good and healing it should be available on prescription. Just wonderful and live vocals too.."

**
Emanuel Burrell, 2018
"This is the music my mother sang as she cooked and cleaned in our home and it just found a place in my heart and in remembrance of her I can still visualize her 40+ years later singing this inspirational hymn. I find it most comforting when I am wondering about life's ups and downs. It can be very reassuring to the spirit and mind. The men who sang this were heavenly inspired and gifted."

**
amenra54, 2018
"That tenor is sweeeeeeeeet and controlled excellent!!!!"

**
Stan Aoki, 2018
"the Swan Silvertones were one of the major influences of the greatest blues/rb guitarist SHUGGIE OTIS! You can hear their solo singing and improvisation in SHUGGIE'S playing and his licks!"

**
thad g, 2018
"Bass player is harmonizing like crazy."

**
Stan Aoki, 2018
"One of the pioneers of Gospel and they sing with the Spirit! God bless the SWANS and Claude Jeter!!"

**
Kelvin Hall, 2018
"These fellas were too tough!!! Jeter and Johnson together on this classic is hard to beat!!! Early quartet style...."

****
LYRICS: ONLY BELIEVE
(as sung by The Swan Silvertones)

Soloist #1- Only believe
Only believe
Believe
Group- I know
Soloist #1- All things
Are possible
Group- possible
yes they are, oh
Soloist #1- If you only believe.
Soloist #2 - I can image hearing Jesus when he was talking to the lame man
Group- ooo- ooo

Soloist #2 - A long time ago
Group – [continues their clapping routine to the beat]
Soloist #2: This is what I hear
Soloist #1- Oh, I heard the best songs
oh just I did
Soloist #2- If you ever meet Him
Soloist #1 – It was early one morning
Soloist #1- Oh
Soloist #2- Listen
Master!
Soloist #1- My soul
Soloist #2- was feeling bad
Soloist#1- feeling so bad
Soloist #2- let me tell you
about my heart
Soloist #- My heart [stretch the word "heart" out]
Soloist #2- Yes, man.
It was heavy leaden.
Yes it was.
Group-[continues clapping to the beat and humming “ooo”]
Church, you know what I had.
Soloist #1- I had ah bow.
Soloist #2- Let me see your hands if you ever had ah bow down head.
Soloist #1- Ah bow down head.
Soloist #2- You know what God done for me.
Soloist #1- Ah!
Soloist #1- He paid me a kindness.
Picked me up once early in the morning.
He lifted my burdens.
Oh, yes he did.
Soloist #2- Not tomorrow, but
Soloist #1: Right now.
Soloist #2- Right now.
Soloist #1- My soul
is glad.
Jesus it is.
Soloist #2- That’s why I can stand here tonight and say that ALL things
Soloist #1 – All things
Group - All things are possible
Soloist #1- are possible
Group- with God
Soloist #1- And remember that I told you this
if I never see you no more
Group- Oh yeah
Oh
Soloist #1- If you will only
Ah, only believe
Group- [humming- eh e eh e; eh, e, eh, e]
-snip-
Transcription by Azizi Powell. I'm not sure about some words in this transcription. Additions and corrections are welcome.

Note: The group (except for Soloist #1 and Soloist #2) clap to the beat and hum throughout the entire song-when they aren't singing themselves.

Also, the word "lame" means unable to walk.

"A head bow" (pronounced "Ah head bow" means a person whose head is bowed down (in sadness). That term isn't used in everyday English. Maybe it's an old Southern phrase that I'm not familiar with.

****
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Visitor comments are welcome.

"Goin' Up Yonder", "Oh Happy Day", & Three More Old School Gospel Songs By Walter Hawkins, Edwin Hawkins, & Their Choirs

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases five YouTube examples of old school Gospel by my favorite family of Gospel singers - the Hawkins.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the Hawkins family and their choirs for their Gospel music legacy. Thanks to all those who published these examples on YouTube.
-snip-
This is a republication of a March 2012 pancocojams post, with updated format, title change, and added content.

****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE:
"Old school" is a usually positive, nostalgic descriptor that means "something or someone from the past". How long ago in the past is "old school" depends on the person using that adjective, but it might even be less than ten years ago.

The Hawkins family's style of Black Gospel music is from the late 1960s. Their style of Gospel music has been called "Black urban, contemporary". However, what is "contemporary" changes over time.

Here are a few comments from a discussion thread for the video "Thank You - Walter Hawkins & The Love Center Choir" that refers to the changes in Black Gospel music that make this style of singing "old school":
From https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jkz0Y4rUAlg [Numbers are added to these comments for referencing purposes only]

1. Daniel Borden, 2014
"There's nothing like growing up on Classic Gospel"

**
2. Pastor Hailey, 2014
"WHERE ARE THE CHURCH CHOIRS!....A FORGOTTEN BREED?"

**
REPLY
3. misterjgl, 2015
"Unfortunately people aren't into choirs anyone. I grew up with choirs as a kid in the late 80's and early 90's. But most people I talk to nowadays aren't as appreciative like some of us with choirs."

**
REPLY
4. Pamela Brown, 2015
"@misterjgl I agree with you. SMH. I'll take a choir over a praise team any day."

**
REPLY
5. SteppinLady Underwood, 2018
"@Pamela Brown Me too! 😣"

**
REPLY
6. Kenyetta Doyle, 2018
"Pastor Hailey Down south we still have church choirs."

**
7. Virgin Gabilla, 2016
"I always love that the Walter Hawkins choir . choirs today doesn't sound nothing like old time religion I try my best to keep old time religion in my heart Thank You Walter Hawkins and your choir . for keeping old time religion alive thank you, thank you"

**
8. shelby tolbert, 2016
"I truly miss the traditional sound of gospel. Its a blessing to be able to listen to the great sounds of James Moore, Walter Hawkins, Timonthy Wright. Thank you for your sharing this,God bless my heart is filled."

**
REPLY
9. Yhancei Jackson, 2017
"Shelby tolbert I know that's right. Even a Gospel radio station(:"

**
10. Queenonthemove Podcast, 2018
"I sang this song growing up in the baptist church with my grandma and it's still getting me through till this day!"

-snip-
Here are three similar comments from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04KcopeY2Og (given below as Example #1)
1. The Watchman 1844, 2016
"I'm 21 years old and I just love these old classical gospel songs. The message behind these songs is so powerful. I grew up listening to this song on the radio since I was a preteen and it never gets old to me."

**
2. The King's Queen Mrs. King, 2016
"SAAAAANNNNGGGGGGGG TREMAINE GIRL👏👏👏👏!!! 1 OF MY OLD TIME FAVS GROWING UP IN THE BAPTIST CHURCH IN THE 80S."

**
3, Blackberri 215, 2016
"I love old school gospel, it blesses my soul!"

****
SHOWCASE YOUTUBE EXAMPLES
This sound files and videos are posted in particular no ranking order.

Example #1: Goin' Up Yonder" Walter Hawkins & The Love Center Choir



Old School Gospel Channel, Published on Jun 24, 2008

"Love Alive" Walter Hawkins and the Love Center Choir "Goin' Up Yonder" soloist:Tramaine Hawkins "1975"

****
Example #2: "Oh Happy Day" (Original)(1968) Edwin Hawkins & Northern California State Youth Choir



Gospel Nostalgia, Published on Jun 6, 2015

This track 5 from the 1968 album "Let Us Go Into The House Of The Lord".
Lead by Dorothy Morrison-Combs

Written by Philip Doddridge

Arranged by Edwin Hawkins

Edwin Hawkins was a pianist at Ephesian Church of God in Christ in Berkeley, California when he came up with the popular Latin/Soul version of the song “Oh Happy Day” in 1968. In an October 23, 2009 interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, he explained that "Oh Happy Day" was one of eight arrangements he put together for the Northern California State Youth Choir, which was made up of 46 singers ages 17 to 25, and the plan was to sell an album of the songs to finance a trip to a church youth conference in Washington, D.C. The tracks were quickly recorded live in church on a two-track tape machine (industry standard at the time was eight-track), but the records weren't pressed in time for the trip. They did attend the conference, and the choir placed second in a singing competition, where they performed 2 of Hawkins' arrangements, but not "Oh Happy Day," which Hawkins said was "Not our favorite song."

500 copies of the album were made, and one of them found its way to the popular DJ Abe "Voco" Kesh at KSAN-FM in San Francisco. Other stations followed, and Buddah Records signed Hawkins to a record deal, rechristening the Northern California State Youth Choir "The Edwin Hawkins Singers" for their reissue of the album, which became a huge hit.

This song was recorded for the Gospel market, and its secular success didn't go over well with everyone at the church: local officials of the denomination circulated a petition asking secular radio stations to stop airing the song. Hawkins had a different take. He told The Chronicle: "I think they thought they were doing the right thing. What confused me about it was they were teaching us all our lives that we were to take the message everywhere."

Dan Sorkin, who was a famous DJ on radio station KSFO in San Francisco, was a big supporter of this song and gave it a huge push on his morning show. He even interviewed Dorothy Morrison and Edwin Hawkins.

This won a Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance.

****
Example #3: Joy, Joy (Remastered: 2001)



Edwin Hawkins - Topic, Published on Sep 25, 2014

Provided to YouTube by Sony Music Entertainment

Joy, Joy (Remastered: 2001) · The Edwin Hawkins Singers

Oh Happy Day: The Best of the Edwin Hawkins Singers

℗ Originally recorded prior to 1972. All rights reserved by BMG Music Special Products

Adapter, Arranger, Director: Edwin Hawkins

****
Example #4: Walter Hawkins - Going Away



vegasvalleymary3, Published on Sep 19, 2010

****
Example #5: "Never Alone" (1978) Walter Hawkins



Gospel Nostalgia, Published on Jun 18, 2015

This is track 3 from the 1978 album "Love Alive II".
Lead by Frances Pye

Written by Walter Hawkins

****
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Viewer comments are welcome.

"God Put A Rainbow In The Sky" (examples & lyrics)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This post showcases four renditions of the old Gospel song "God Put A Rainbow In The Sky". Two examples of "God Put A Rainbow In The Sky" feature Sallie Martin, one features Mahalia Jackson, and one features The Braxtons. The original lyrics to this song and lyrics to the version of this song that was popularized by Mahalia Jackson are included in this post.

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

Thanks to Daddy Andrew Jenkins for composing this song and thanks to all the vocalists who are featured in this post. Thanks also to all the commenters and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube.

****
LYRICS AND COMMENTS ABOUT THIS SONG
From http://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=62811
Subject: Lyr Add: GOD PUT A RAINBOW IN THE CLOUD
From: masato sakurai
Date: 10 Sep 03 - 01:36 PM

GOD PUT A RAINBOW IN THE CLOUD
By Reverend Andrew Jenkins and Irene Spain

When God shut Noah in the grand old ark
He put a rainbow in the cloud
When thunders rolled and the sky was dark
God put a rainbow in the cloud.

God put a rainbow in the cloud
God put a rainbow in the cloud
When it looked like the sun wouldn't shine anymore
God put a rainbow in the cloud.

Away down yonder in Egypt's sand
God put a rainbow in the cloud
Just to lead His children to the promised land
God put a rainbow in the cloud.

When they put old Daniel in the lion's den,
God put a rainbow in the cloud
Just to prove His promise to the sons of men
God put a rainbow in the cloud.

As a sign by day and a sign by night
God put a rainbow in the cloud
Just to guide His people and keep them right
God put a rainbow in the cloud.

Oh, Jordan deep and Jordan wide
God put a rainbow in the cloud
To lead his people to the other side
God put a rainbow in the cloud.

SOURCE: Dorothy Horstman, Sing Your Heart Out, Country Boy, 3rd ed. (p. 44)

**
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: God Put a Rainbow in the Clouds
From: Joe Offer
Date: 11 Sep 03 - 04:24 AM

The background story in Sing Your Heart Out, Country Boy is interesting:
This song was made by Daddy Jenkins, as we called him, after a short period of silence. It seemed too quiet, and we soon learned that he was in deep thought. Going to the piano, he came up with "God Put a Rainbow In the Cloud".' He loved the 'blue' note. I wrote it down for him and arranged the music score. It was made one real hot summer afternoon—in August, I believe. The year: 1931.

The song made a good hit with singers. Mahalia Jackson's recording made a good seller, but it had been recorded as 'not belonging to anyone.' SESAC got in touch with me, and as I had the original pencil copy, the song was verified. When I hear it on radio, it makes me so happy, for that is why Daddy made so many grand songs. He never received any remuneration for any of his work—at least not enough to be counted. He always said he could make more, and he wanted the people to sing them and love them. That was pay enough for him."
—Irene Spain Futrelle

the song's copyright is dated 1931, renewed 1959, assigned to Mosie Lister Publishing Company

**
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: God Put a Rainbow in the Cloud
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 13 Feb 10 - 04:36 PM

Musical notation for GOD PUT A RAINBOW IN THE CLOUD, arranged for 4 voices, can be seen in Songs of the Church: 21st Century Edition (West Monroe, La.: Howard Publishers, 1990), page 329.

The attribution there is: Words and music by Rev. Andrew Jenkins, Arr. Mrs. M. L. Spain.

****
SHOWCASE EXAMPLES:
These examples are presented in chronological order based on their publishing date on YouTube with the oldest example given first.

Example #1: *Audio* Sallie Martin: God Put A Rainbow In The Sky



damonemontez , Uploaded on Oct 26, 2008

Mother Sallie Martin along with The Mass Choir of The National Convention of Choirs & Choruses,1980. Founded by Thomas Dorsey, in the early 1930's in Chicago.
-snip-
selected comments from this example's discussion thread:
Rowoches, 2008
"This was actually Sallie Martin's song before Mahalia and others recorded it. I've been told that this would be one of several songs Sallie would do when she was a member of the First Church of Deliverance in Chicago"

**
saintben2008, 2009
"Most people don't know that Sallie Martin is actually the co architect of gospel music along with thomas dorsey. She is responsible for bringing it to the public."

**
newcreature2011, 2011
"Remember that when this (traditional) music came on the scene it was considered WAY OUT THERE and banned from a lot of churches, because it drew HEAVILY on jazz and blues structure. I would hope that we don't limit our artists today like they tried to limit Dorsey when he started it all. The litmus test should not be style, or even emotional response, it should be if God is glorified with the artist's expression. Artists today are using what they hear around them just like Dorsey did."

**
Bryan Jackson, 2014
"Have anybody notice the choir is saying "God put a rainbow in the Cloud" not "God put a rainbow in the sky" ?"

**
Reply
mrtheoneandonly 83, 2014
"You'll find the lyrics to this hymn in the church hymnal."

**
Reply
michael maternowski, 2014
"The original pre-30's version of this song uses "in the cloud" as it was to have a more darker tone to enlighten the rainbow part in reference to God's first covenant. As the song passed through translation and became less and less a hymn, the words were changed to "in the sky". Particularly, the more blues translation of this song by Mahailia Jackson popularized the ending of "in the sky". Both Mahailia and Sallie interpreted the song to be more upbeat as opposed to it's original slower "folk" version. Sallie would have grown up in a time where both versions were equally known and may have chose to translate the song with both "in the sky" and "in the cloud" for that reason.
-snip-
This commenter referred to "The original pre-30's version of this song". However, "God Put A Rainbow In The Sky" was actually composed in 1931. My friendly correction to that comment reads "The original 1931 version of this song uses "in the cloud"..."

****
Example #2: Sallie Martin In Phila sings God Put A Rainbow In The Sky in 1986



gospellin, Uploaded on Sep 17, 2010

Edwin Newberry & Phila Seminar Choir brought Sallie Martin to town for Mother's Day.
-snip-
selected comments from this example's discussion thread:
Ivan Berry, 2011
"she was 90 in this video?"

**
MrTheOneAndOnly83, 2011
in reply to Ivan Berry
"@ivanberry19 yes she was born in 1896"

**
modelmethodist77, 2012
"What's going on with the mother walking up to the choir and the director holding on to her. Was she trying to take the mic from Sallie? LOL"

**
gospellin, 2012
in reply to modelmethodist77
"@modelmethodist77 The elderly lady was a Philly pioneer Susie Walker. When Sallie came to Philly in the early 50's to set up a Phila chapter of Thomas Dorsey convention she stayed with Susie and they remained good friends thru the years. Before service Sallie asked Susie who was almost blind if she felt up to it would she sing with the Philly chapter (victory Choral Union) Sallie also passed her a little brown envelop while she was singing. Hope that answers your question"
-snip-
Sallie also passed her a little brown envelop- That envelop probably contained a “goodwill offering” (A stipend-money-given to a special guest at an event. The guest doesn’t charge a fee, but receives this money as a token of the congregations’ good will toward her or him.)

****
Example #4: The Braxtons - 'God Put A Rainbow In The Sky' (Live) (HQ)



PsionicP3 Uploaded on Jul 7, 2011

The Braxton Sisters sing 'God Put A Rainbow In The Sky' on the steps of their old house during Season 1, Episode 9 of 'Braxton Family Values'. *Credit goes to WE tv. No copyright infringement intended*.

****
Example #4: Mahalia Jackson - God Put A Rainbow In The Sky



Nostalgicjukebox, Published on Feb 13, 2013

Mahalia Jackson "God Put A Rainbow In The Sky"
From the album Mahalia Jackson - "Gospels, Spirituals, & Hymns" (Vol.2)
[Lyrics to "God Put A Rainbow In The Sky "]

God put a rainbow in the sky A rainbow in the sky A rainbow in the sky God put a rainbow in the sky A rainbow in the sky A rainbow in the sky It looked like the sun wasn't gon' shine no more Oh, God put a rainbow in the sky.

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Five Old School Black Gospel Songs By The Hawkins Family

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases five YouTube examples of old school Gospel by my favorite family of Gospel singers - the Hawkins.

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

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to the Hawkins family and their choirs for their Gospel music legacy. Thanks to all those who published these examples on YouTube.

****
SHOWCASE YOUTUBE EXAMPLES
These sound files and videos are posted in particular no ranking order.

Example #1: Goin' Up Yonder" Walter Hawkins & The Love Center Choir



Old School Gospel Channel, Published on Jun 24, 2008

"Love Alive" Walter Hawkins and the Love Center Choir "Goin' Up Yonder" soloist:Tramaine Hawkins "1975"

****
Example #2: "Oh Happy Day" (Original)(1968) Edwin Hawkins & Northern California State Youth Choir



Gospel Nostalgia, Published on Jun 6, 2015

This track 5 from the 1968 album "Let Us Go Into The House Of The Lord".
Lead by Dorothy Morrison-Combs

Written by Philip Doddridge

Arranged by Edwin Hawkins

Edwin Hawkins was a pianist at Ephesian Church of God in Christ in Berkeley, California when he came up with the popular Latin/Soul version of the song “Oh Happy Day” in 1968. In an October 23, 2009 interview with the San Francisco Chronicle, he explained that "Oh Happy Day" was one of eight arrangements he put together for the Northern California State Youth Choir, which was made up of 46 singers ages 17 to 25, and the plan was to sell an album of the songs to finance a trip to a church youth conference in Washington, D.C. The tracks were quickly recorded live in church on a two-track tape machine (industry standard at the time was eight-track), but the records weren't pressed in time for the trip. They did attend the conference, and the choir placed second in a singing competition, where they performed 2 of Hawkins' arrangements, but not "Oh Happy Day," which Hawkins said was "Not our favorite song."

500 copies of the album were made, and one of them found its way to the popular DJ Abe "Voco" Kesh at KSAN-FM in San Francisco. Other stations followed, and Buddah Records signed Hawkins to a record deal, rechristening the Northern California State Youth Choir "The Edwin Hawkins Singers" for their reissue of the album, which became a huge hit.

This song was recorded for the Gospel market, and its secular success didn't go over well with everyone at the church: local officials of the denomination circulated a petition asking secular radio stations to stop airing the song. Hawkins had a different take. He told The Chronicle: "I think they thought they were doing the right thing. What confused me about it was they were teaching us all our lives that we were to take the message everywhere."

Dan Sorkin, who was a famous DJ on radio station KSFO in San Francisco, was a big supporter of this song and gave it a huge push on his morning show. He even interviewed Dorothy Morrison and Edwin Hawkins.

This won a Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance.

****
Example #3: Joy, Joy (Remastered: 2001)



Edwin Hawkins - Topic, Published on Sep 25, 2014

Provided to YouTube by Sony Music Entertainment

Joy, Joy (Remastered: 2001) · The Edwin Hawkins Singers

Oh Happy Day: The Best of the Edwin Hawkins Singers

℗ Originally recorded prior to 1972. All rights reserved by BMG Music Special Products

Adapter, Arranger, Director: Edwin Hawkins

****
Example #4: Walter Hawkins - Going Away



vegasvalleymary3, Published on Sep 19, 2010

****
Example #5: "Never Alone" (1978) Walter Hawkins



Gospel Nostalgia, Published on Jun 18, 2015

This is track 3 from the 1978 album "Love Alive II".
Lead by Frances Pye

Written by Walter Hawkins

****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Viewer comments are welcome.