The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #100548 Message #2021696
Posted By: wysiwyg
10-Apr-07 - 05:41 PM
Thread Name: Celebratory Folkie Lenten Music
Subject: ADD: I KNOW THE LORD LAID HIS HANDS ON ME
This one came from a clip I heard online, of a VERY early wax recording, of one of the earlier iterations of the Fisk singers. The voice was so powerful, so evocative, that as I recall we put it into the lineup the same day I heard it-- a vibrant, young, male voice supported by a backing group of unknown size. Later I got a Fisk (later) recording and almost all the words, as I recall, are from that version.
The imagery around slave experience would have been quite complex. It would have HAD to have been at least twofold: "The Lord laid his hands one me" in blessing, as I know it in my own life. But also, in seizing the young man, bodily... as slavehunters "laid hands on" runaways to capture them. Sanctifying that image, it's a flavor of the Lord palpably directing him... to OWN him, but in a specific way the singer chooses to see-- to praise!-- as holy! This is a powerful, POWERFUL image to turn into an anthem of praise!
Unlike some of the spirituals, this one cannot be understood as "escape code" language, nor as anything I can imagine other than religios fervor.
~Susan
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I KNOW THE LORD LAID HIS HANDS ON ME
Traditional Negro Spiritual. Learned from the singing of the Fisk Jubilee Singers. Verses edited by Susan O. Hinton.
REFRAIN:
O I know the Lord, I know the Lord,
(I know the Lord laid His hands on me.)
O I know the Lord, I know the Lord,
(I know the Lord laid His hands on me.)
I never shall forget that day...
(I know the Lord laid His hands on me.)
When Jesus washed my sins away.
(I know the Lord laid His hands on me.)
I never felt such love before;
(I know the Lord laid His hands on me.)
And it made me run from door to door.
(I know the Lord laid His hands on me.)
Some seek the Lord and don't seek Him right;
(I know the Lord laid His hands on me.)
They sin all day and pray at night.
(I know the Lord laid His hands on me.)
Did ever you see the like before?
(I know the Lord laid His hands on me.)
King Jesus preaching to the poor?
(I know the Lord laid His hands on me.)
My Lord has done just what He said;
(I know the Lord laid His hands on me.)
Healed the sick and raised the dead.
(I know the Lord laid His hands on me.)
Down on my knees when the Lion passed by,
(I know the Lord laid His hands on me.)
I thought my soul would rise and fly!
(I know the Lord laid His hands on me.)
O one of these mornings, bright and fair,
(I know the Lord laid His hands on me.)
Gonna take my wings and cleave the air.
(I know the Lord laid His hands on me.)
SH