Subject: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: Nathan in Texas Date: 22 May 00 - 08:17 AM The thread on hymnals got me to wondering what hymns or gospel songs are performed and/or encountered in jams around the country. Here are a few we use frequently: These are the ones most commonly used in jams: Amazing Grace Life's Railway to Heaven I'll Fly Away I Saw the Light Uncloudy Day In performing, our instrumental duo (hammered dulcimer, autoharp & mandolin) regularly includes: Sweet Hour of Prayer Near the Cross Wayfaring Stranger We're also adding new ones all the time, with a CD of hymns planned for later this year. How about you? |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: Wesley S Date: 22 May 00 - 09:17 AM Our group does a bluegrass version of "Nearer My God To Thee" and we do a medly of " In the sweet by and by, I saw the light, Are you washed in the blood, and I'll fly away" |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: tar_heel Date: 22 May 00 - 10:29 AM how about...the gospel way,gathering flowers for the master's bouquet,praying ground,beautiful stars,rank strangers,i have found a way,using my bible for a road map,o come angel band,who will sing for me,where could i go,where the soul of man never dies,the purple robe,gone home,diamonds in the rough,a beautiful life,sweeping through the gates,palms of victory....just to name few that we get request for at jams....... |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca Date: 22 May 00 - 11:23 AM Swing Low Sweet Chariots comes to mind. Another good one is Will The Circle Be Unbroken. |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: George Seto - af221@chebucto.ns.ca Date: 22 May 00 - 11:25 AM Oh! I'll have to find it, but a friend sings a shanty which is Gospel in nature. |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: wysiwyg Date: 22 May 00 - 11:35 AM Contemporary praise music and children's hymns, too, as well as Southern Gospel. BTW, I have a lot of source books, so if you are looking for anything I might help with, feel free to PM me. I keep a binder with xeroxes of ALL my book's tables of contents, to help me find stuff without hauling out every book. ~S~ |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: Nathan in Texas Date: 22 May 00 - 12:03 PM Chuck, I'm familiar with all of your list except "Praying Ground," "Praying Ground," and perhaps "Gospel Way." That's not the same as "Gloryland Way" is it? |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: wysiwyg Date: 22 May 00 - 02:15 PM |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: Pixie Date: 22 May 00 - 06:32 PM Although maybe not "gospel" I like to do Gillian Welch's "Orphan Girl", and just tried "Wayfaring Stranger" at a party the other night. I don't do the "church" thing, but I sure do love gospel, particularly stuff with "bluegrass" tinge to it. I like hearing gospel tunes at a jam session....I consider them very much part of "folk" music. |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: Wesley S Date: 23 May 00 - 10:58 AM Nathan - What part of Texas are you from?? I'm in Ft Worth. Where do you perform and where can we hear you? |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: Mark Clark Date: 23 May 00 - 11:51 AM When I was playing, we used to include at least one gospel number in every set. Let's see...
Wicked Path Of Sin The list goes on and on. We did this not so much out of any great faith but to be true to the traditional mode of bluegrass performance. It didn't hurt that gospel tunes often provide wonderful opportunities for harmony singing and have a lively beat. In jam sessions of old, particularly at bluegrass festivals, people would start pulling out the gospel tunes in the wee hours of the morning after they were too drunk to play anymore but thought they could still sing. *BG* Great times, those. - Mark |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: bbelle Date: 23 May 00 - 12:13 PM harpgirl and I do "By The Mark" by Welch and Rawlings and it's always a pleaser. She's Buddhist and I'm a Jew but we both love gospel music because of the harmonies. We're wanting to learn a couple more, so if anyone has any suggestions, let us know. harpy sings melody and I add counterpoint harmony ... moonchild |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: black walnut Date: 23 May 00 - 01:50 PM does anyone know if Praise has laryngitis? this kind of posting from Praise happened recently on another thread.... ~'nut |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: black walnut Date: 23 May 00 - 02:01 PM sorry, back to the topic.... i grew up on gospel songs; we had a college group at church with 100 of us who sang loud and long every sunday night. a lot of the ones mentioned above were popular in our group. some brought guitars, and there was always piano, and oh, what singing! i was told by someone recently, though, that someone like me, who might tend to believe some of what i sing when i sing gospel, should probably not lead gospel songs in jams and song circles. i was told that they are better left to the confirmed and card-carrying non-believer. the sense was that it is best to sing and lead those songs without meaning them. i personally think that a good song can be sung by anyone. any thoughts? ~black walnut
|
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: GUEST,Steve Latimer Date: 23 May 00 - 02:35 PM My sister has recently introduced "Mary Don't You Weep" to her set and usually gets great audience participation in the chorus. The version she does is based on Taj Mahal's version. |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: The Walrus (at work) Date: 23 May 00 - 02:41 PM My old ECW mob used to burst into "The Good Old Way" (I have a sweet hope of Glory in my soul) at the drop of a hat. (Oh, does "Jerusalem" count?) Walrus. |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: Mark Clark Date: 23 May 00 - 03:17 PM black, In bluegrass music, the vast majority of gospel songs are performed by people who believe what they are singing. I think it's rare for professional groups to sing songs they don't believe. In our own group, we discussed each potential gospel song among the band members and if anything offended someone's particular beliefs, we took a pass on it. I am presently serving as choir director of our Eastern Orthodox parish so I'm quite involved with liturgical music. Of course a hymn or response needs to be a thousand years old or more for us to be singing it. *BG* When we say Tradition, we mean it. Needless to say, we don't use guitars in church. - Mark |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: wysiwyg Date: 23 May 00 - 03:32 PM black walnut-- see Tavern 2 thread ~S~ |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: bbelle Date: 23 May 00 - 04:17 PM Mark ... I'm not about to get into a debate with you about religion, but please do not assume you know my beliefs, because you don't. Funny ... I've never had a priest say that because I'm Jewish I should never sing an Ave Maria or Kyrie ... moonchild |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: Mark Clark Date: 23 May 00 - 05:15 PM moonchild, I think I must owe you an apology. Please accept this one. I certainly didn't mean to start any religious debate or demean anyone's beliefs. I just thought my post about singing gospel tunes only after being too drunk to play was a trifle insensitive to those people for whom the music has deep personal meaning. I think everyone should feel free to sing any song they like and I have never wanted to know the religious or spiritual beliefs of a singer, or of a friend for that matter. I've always just celebrated the diversity of human kind. In the words of the old bluegrass gospel tune:
The road is rough, the way is long, Peace, - Mark |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: bbelle Date: 23 May 00 - 05:49 PM And ... perhaps I was just a wee bit too sensitive! Sometimes living in the deep south bible belt causes one's antennae to start quivering. I took a circuitous path to my Jewish roots and grew up singing in my Baptist grandmother's church, with her accompanying me on piano. That's where I learned to sing and still have a great love for spirituals and gospel music. Thanks and I accept your apology. Shalom ... moonchild |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: Hardiman the Fiddler Date: 23 May 00 - 09:19 PM I like "abide with me" with a soft banjo roll and fiddle. Hardiman |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: Banjer Date: 23 May 00 - 11:52 PM Walnut, it just seems to me that one who believes in what they are singing, (or talking about for that matter) can put more of his/her soul into it, having a better grasp of the subject matter. I don't care what anyone's religion is, if they do a good rendition of a gospel song, I'll listen and enjoy, and even help sing if applicable. |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: Pinetop Slim Date: 24 May 00 - 10:05 PM Playing the Shaker song, "Bow and Be Simple" (or is Willow Tree the title? whatever) anyway -- one time "Old Time Religion" came out at the end, so I always medley them now. Iris Dement's "Shores of Jordan" seems like it would work in a jam. Ain't it weird how songs like "By the Mark" and "Will the Circle..." make you feel good? Tapping your toes while singing about a hearse driving your mother away, or how you're looking forward to seeing somebody with spike holes in his hands -- what a picture. Anybody got a good mystery-of-life hymn that explains this? It's been a long time since I considered myself a Christian, but I love to sing songs about Jesus. |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: black walnut Date: 25 May 00 - 01:10 PM just like the blues, mark. you just can't feel bad around the blues. about gospel lyrics....yes, they must sometimes sound so offensive when the context is absent. there's the whole context of theology, with layers of meaning involved. a phrase or image might be meant to trigger other thoughts or pictures or teachings or references not explicit in the song itself. and then there's the context of original venue itself. who is the intended audience, and in what situation were they gathered? very interesting stuff to think about.... ~'nut |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: Steve Latimer Date: 25 May 00 - 01:58 PM Son House's "John The Revelator" would probably work and get audience participation. Taj Mahal did a nice cover of it in the Blues Brothers 2000. I haven't seen the movie, but have a Taj CD with it. Starts out doing his best Son House impression and then a ful gospel choir joins him. I like the version. |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: Mary in Kentucky Date: 25 May 00 - 02:31 PM moonchild, I heard you and harpgirl sing on HearMe and thought the harmony was absolutely gorgeous. I understand your unfamiliarity with gospel songs -- I spent some time in Alabama and was constantly surprised at all the wonderful old gospel songs that everyone around me knew, but that I had never heard of!
You asked for some close harmony songs... And by all means check out the Southern Harmony link I picked up from Okiemockbird. I think I read recently (probably here in the forum) that Southern hymns usually have the harmony above the melody. Is that what you mean by counterpoint? Mary |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: GUEST,Annika Date: 25 May 00 - 11:30 PM I have been looking for a couple of old gospel-folky songs that maybe someone can help me with. One is a ballad: "There is a river wide / that flows from the tree of life / are you going there someday, friend?" What's the rest of it? Where can I find it? The other is more folky: "I'm gonna live forever / forever and a day / when I leave this world behind me / I'll be singing all the way" Anyone know this one? Maybe one of you southerners can help me out with these. I haven't heard them in years, but the parts that I remember keep going around in my head. I may just rewrite them. Thanks, Annika |
Subject: ADD: Singalong Choruses for a Gospel Singin' From: wysiwyg Date: 30 Sep 01 - 02:09 AM It's under consideration that our little group will do a Mudcat Concert (in PalTalk) in February-- but instead of a regular concert, it will be a gospel singalong. So the following is the "audience participation" part people will need to sing along with us. It's mostly just the choruses... But a lot of the songs are in DT or in the threads, so if people want the whole song, use the titles below to search them up and get some bookmarks ready. When we do it in PalTalk, we will announce the key for those who want to play along too. We usually start off with our own favorites, and then go from there with requests from the following list. If anyone wants to build up a players' book in order to be able to use the following in your own area, PM me and I can send you scans of anything you do not have. ~S~ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
GOOD NEWS-GOODTIME BAND GOSPEL SINGALONG CHORUSES |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: 53 Date: 30 Sep 01 - 10:47 AM we like to use leaning on the everlasting arms, power in the blood, unclouded day, waiting the boatman, using my bible for a roadmap, i'll fly away, i saw the light, are you washed, the great speckled bird, and many others, i think that this is a great thread, keep up the good work. bob |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: masato sakurai Date: 30 Sep 01 - 11:03 AM A polka band plays "Rock of Ages" polka-style in the video In Heaven There Is No Beer? (Flower Films). ~Masato |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: WyoWoman Date: 30 Sep 01 - 01:19 PM Can anyone direct me to a good songbook or two that would have a bunch of these in it/them? Not "Rise Up Singing", a.k.a. "Rise Up Squinting," which I've finally just about given up on. But I do love to do gospel songs and am always on thelookout for those that aren't the old standbys. Sweet Hour of Prayer,though, remains one of my favorite songs of all time. I've never sung it at a jam, however. Hmmm. Might try that next time. ... ww |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: wysiwyg Date: 30 Sep 01 - 01:46 PM WW, first I would suggest you look at the thread on the Gospel Tape Lending Library-- maybe you want in on that? If you want a mix like ours, I'm afraid you may have to do what we did-- comb through seven or eight genres and pull what you like. There is one book Joe Offer has that we don't have yet that might get you a lot of them-- Lift Every Voice and Sing, from the Episcopal Church. It was prepared for use in African-American congregations and seems to have quite a few of what we'd found on our own. (See the Afro-American Hymnal thread for its table of contents.) A number of ours are in our players' binders as words/chords-only, because we learned the melodies from tapes. I could send you a copy of the above material but it's in rough shape from multiple xeroxing. If you want to pick a few to start with and PM me, I can start scanning. ~Susan |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: GUEST,Genie Date: 30 Sep 01 - 02:04 PM Songs I often do in song circles, jams, sing-alongs, etc. include Do, Lord/This Little Light Medley Vine and Fig Tree (Lo Yisa Goy) Let There Be Peace On Earth When The Saints Go Marching In Just A Closer Walk With Thee Precious Lord, Take My Hand He's Got The Whole World In His Hand Precious Memories Farther Along One Day At A Time Put Your Hand In The Hand Go Down, Moses Mary, Don't You Weep All My Trials Amazing Grace Morning Has Broken This Old House You Don't Knock In The Sweet By and By Abide With Me Peace Like a River Guide My Feet In The Garden Bashana Haba'ah (Soon The Day Will Arrive) Hine Ma Tov Shalom Chaverim All God's Critters Got A Place In the Choir If I am singing in a group that would be alienated by mention of Jesus, I stick to the ones that are generally insprirational or mention only "God." I never have a problem doing the Hebrew songs I mentioned in a Christian group, because there is nothing sectarian about them. In some jams, though, old gospel songs--e.g., Turn Your Radio On-- are done more or less as historical/musical gems, not as statements of personal belief, so we do any song that has good harmony and good instrumental licks. If we can have fun singing Banks Of The Ohio, given our elevated collective consciousness today, why can't a Jew, agnostic, humanist, atheist, etc. enjoy singing "I'll Fly Away?" It's a great bluegrass sound! Genie |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: GUEST,Genie Date: 30 Sep 01 - 02:25 PM I just got through resetting my cookie. Why am I showing up as "guest?" While I'm here again, WYSIWYG, I should second your mention of Standin' In the Need of Prayer
Joshua Fit The Battle of Jericho,
Spirit of the Living God
Swing low, sweet chariot
Wings Of A Dove
Good Gospel Ship
Higher Ground
|
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: Mudlark Date: 30 Sep 01 - 11:15 PM I may not be religious but I love beautiful, powerful music.. Have always loved Go Down, Moses, The Darkest Hour is Just before the Dawn, All My Trials, Wayfarin' Strangr....and I agree....anyone should be able to sing whatever they want, as long as they respect the music. |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: Genie Date: 01 Oct 01 - 12:49 AM Amen! |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: GUEST,Alygurl Date: 01 May 10 - 03:22 AM I'm both an Atheist and a passionate lover of music and I'm looking for some more gospel secular songs... Any suggestions? Thanks =) |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: Jack Campin Date: 01 May 10 - 07:12 AM My current favourite tune for getting instant total silence in a noisy pub is "Wayfaring Stranger", unaccompanied on the chalumeau. Works every time. I guess it counts as secular if you leave out the words? |
Subject: RE: Hymns/gospel songs in jams? From: Dave MacKenzie Date: 01 May 10 - 06:46 PM I've no objection to gospel songs being sung in pubs. A lot better there than in churches. |
Share Thread: |
Subject: | Help |
From: | |
Preview Automatic Linebreaks Make a link ("blue clicky") |