Origin: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info /Heavenly Aeroplane

Subject: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info
From:
Date: 24 Jan 97 - 02:08 PM

I have no idea where this fun little song comes from. I learned it off of someone's unlabelled cassette--I think it was the Watersons singing it. the chorus goes like this:

All you thirsty of every tribe Get your tickets for an aeroplane ride; Jesus our Saviour is coming to reign And take you to glory in His aeroplane.

Any insight into the background to this song would feed my curiosity.

Thanks

Subject: RE: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info
From: Moira Cameron
Date: 02 Nov 97 - 04:05 AM

It's been a while since I first posted this, and got no responses, I might add. I thought, with new people added to the discussion forum, someone might recognize the song.

Subject: RE: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info
From: Wolfgang Hell
Date: 04 Nov 97 - 03:26 AM

Moira, here you go:

The song's called "Heavenly aeroplane", sung by the Watersons on their LP "Sound, sound your instruments of joy", released in 1977 by Topic.

The most informative part of the notes is: "A holy roller jewel of the 1930s, what they call a 'brush arbour hymn' in the backwood districts of America...Vance Randolph prints a version of 'Heavenly aeroplane' in his Ozark Folksongs, vol. IV. His manuscript copy has the note: 'Feb. 19 1935, Watts, Okla."

Okay? I could also type the less informative middle part of the notes or could type the lyrics from the record cover. You want them?

Cheers Wolfgang

Subject: RE: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Nov 97 - 04:03 AM

Yeah, Wolfgang, type us the lyrics if you have the time - I like those corny old gospel songs.
-Joe-

Subject: Lyr Add: HEAVENLY AEROPLANE ^^
From: Wolfgang
Date: 05 Nov 97 - 04:31 AM

Heavenly Aeroplane

1. Oh, one of these days around twelve o’clock
the whole wide world will reel and rock
the sinner will tremble and cry for pain
and the Lord will come in his aeroplane.

Ch.: All you thirsty of every tribe
Get your tickets for an aeroplane ride;
Jesus our Saviour is coming to reign
And take you to glory in His aeroplane.

2. Oh, talk of rides in automobiles
talk of fast times in motor wheels
we’ll break all records as we upwards fly
for an aeroplane joyride in the sky.

3. You must get ready if you take this ride
leave all your sins and humble your pride
furnish a lamp both bright and clean
and a vessel of oil to run the machine.

4. When our journey’s over and we all sit down
at the marriage supper with a robe and crown
we’ll blend our voices with a heavenly throng
and praise our Saviour as the years roll on. ^^

---

Click to play

Subject: RE: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info
From: Jon W.
Date: 05 Nov 97 - 10:33 AM

Any idea of the tune? I believe this was in a book my mother-in-law used to have, called the Red Foley Sacred Album or something like that. Unfortunately it's been given away. Can anyone post ABC or MIDI for this?

Subject: RE: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info
From: Dale Rose
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 12:44 AM

I have added the music for The Heavenly Aeroplane to my Good Old Songs pages. I found it in Gospel Quintet Songs published by Thoro Harris, c. 1928. The version as printed was copyrighted by Harris in 1928, authorship credited to J. S. McConnell. Note that there are FIVE verses as well as minor variations. It is also obviously older than Lomax stated. The Heavenly Aeroplane

(Joe ~~ quaint, since they are so outdated maybe, but NOT Corny! Oops, place emoticon here.)

Subject: RE: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info
From: Dale Rose
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 01:14 AM

I should have said older than Lomax AND Lloyd stated.

Subject: RE: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 08:16 PM

Someone has to do it, it might as well be me - - -

Bet it's being driven by Pontius the Pilot!!

LTS - going for that second course of treatment any day now.....

Subject: RE: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info
From: wysiwyg
Date: 28 Sep 00 - 08:54 PM

It must be a different one I have on a tape, Joe did I give you a copy with it-- Jesus is my aeroplane?

~S~

Subject: RE: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info
From: GUEST,John McConnell -Son of Airplance song author
Date: 29 Oct 00 - 12:44 PM

I was delighted to find your listing of my father's Aeroplane Song - and with the music, which I printed. I was five years old when he wrote the song. That was in 1920 in Walla Walla, Washington where my father was pastor of a Pentcostal Church.

One day I was in the yard and saw an airplane for the first time. I ran into the house and said, "Mother, there's an Airplane outside. Jesus is here!

John McConnell - 85 year old founder of Earth Day - www.earthsite.org.

Subject: RE: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info
From: Dale Rose
Date: 29 Oct 00 - 01:04 PM

Hi John, well, we are just glad you found us! I saw your internet listings while checking up on your Dad's song. Considered writing to you, but never got around to it. I also intended to mention you as an aside, never got around to THAT either!

Thanks for clearing up the date for us ~~ 1920! Anything else that you have that would be of interest to us would be be appreciated. Are you aware of any recordings for example? I have not found any.

Our sixth grade classes at Valmeyer, Illinois participated in that very first Earthday by cleaning up trash around town. Somewhere I still have the photo they ran in the paper at the time.

Thanks again for stopping by, Dale

Subject: RE: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info
From: Dale Rose
Date: 29 Oct 00 - 01:11 PM

I should have said older recordings than the one by the Watersons mentioned earlier, like 1930s or so.

Subject: RE: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info
From: wysiwyg
Date: 29 Oct 00 - 03:37 PM

wow!!!!!!!!

Whatta Mudcat!

~S~

Subject: RE: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info
From: Lonesome Gillette
Date: 29 Oct 00 - 03:42 PM

Great thread! That's how it's supposed to work, huh?

Subject: RE: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info
From: GUEST,John McConnell
Date: 29 Oct 00 - 06:29 PM

McConnell History

John Saunders McConnell (Evangelist J. S. McConnell) was my father. He was born in Seattle, Washington January 9,1892 (died in Ahwahnee, California in 1966). His father was Rev.T. W. McConnell and when I was small, Grandpa told about his going to Oregon in a Covered Wagon and how the Indians they met did not attack them because he prayed and trusted God.

When I was a teen-ager I heard many stories about how we were related to Daniel Boone and the pioneer spirit was in our blood. When I was about ten years old we were living outside of San Diego. I was walking down a dirt road and picked up a piece of paper which had a poem on it. It said, "Lord give me the stregth of the pioneer and the faith of his hardy soul. Provide me with courage to perservere, make me fight till I reach my goal. I want to be known as a man who wins, as a fellow with nerve and pluck, who finishes everything he begins and as one who can whip his luck." I still remember the poem and feel it contributed to my drive and persistence.

The global changes in my life time are mind-boggling.

Please do visit my web site. www.earthsite.org

Subject: RE: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info
From: GUEST,Dale
Date: 08 Dec 01 - 08:12 PM

I have finally added an RA file of Heavenly Aeroplane to my page mentioned above. You'll find it here at the very bottom of the page. The recording is by J.E. Mainer's Mountaineers, probably recorded mid to late 60s (he died in 1971). The vocal is most likely by Morris Herbert.

Subject: RE: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info
From: Garry Gillard
Date: 09 Dec 01 - 10:51 AM

My page for the Watersons' version of Heavenly Aeroplane is here.

Thanks, Dale, for your great page: of course I've added a link to mine!

cheers, Garry

Subject: RE: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info
From:
Date: 17 Oct 02 - 05:12 PM

I'm trying to locate a version of The Heavenly Aeroplane that was sung by an unaccompanied and obviously southern U.S. mountain woman as part of a recorded anthology at least 20 years ago (the performances on the record had been collected much earlier than that). I thought it was on a Smithsonian record, but can't seem to find it in searching their catalogues. The other odd part is that this same recording of the mountain woman singing it was used as a brief intro to an alternative rock song by a female singer within the past 10 years. Again, I don't know the singer's name. Help, anyone?

Subject: RE: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info
From: GUEST,Peter Bolam
Date: 18 Oct 02 - 05:37 PM

Just so that you guys know, a girls school in Jersey (the Channel Islands UK) are performing a version of this song for a school competition. I'm helping them to do their best with it, so thanks for the background info provided and I'll pass it onto them so that they can appreciate the history of it a little more.

Subject: RE: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info
From: GUEST,Miriam Irwin/Mosaic Press
Date: 02 Oct 04 - 05:01 PM

I am searching for information on a J. S. McConnell who had a phrenological character reading done by Professor O. S. Fowler on May 15th, 1862.

I have published a book by Fowler, titled Octagonal Houses of Maine.

In the reading, Fowler lists himself as Phrenological Author, Editor and Lecturer. The reading for J. S. McConnell was done in Gatesburg or Galesburg, Illinois.

Any information on this J. S. McConnell will be appreciated. From the dates, itt doesn't sound like it could be your musical J. S.

Subject: RE: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info
From: wysiwyg
Date: 03 Oct 04 - 09:47 AM

FMI on brush arbors, look up the Brush Arbor Ministry thread I started awhile back-- I think I put some links and info in there.

~S~

Subject: RE: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info
From: GUEST,ba in den
Date: 15 Jan 07 - 10:46 AM

I've got a June 1930 recording of 'Jesus is my air-o-plane', performed by Mother McCollum on JSP Records jsp7759d "the Guitar Evangelists". The lyrics are quite similar to those above. It sounds like two guitars or possibly one of them a twelve string guitar, with a slide style similar to Maybelle Carter. I don't know if Mother McCollum is playing one of the intruments or not. Thanks....BA

Subject: RE: Origin: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info /Heavenly Aeroplane
From: GUEST,Desi C
Date: 20 Aug 10 - 03:08 PM

Does anyone have the guitar chords for this song?

Subject: RE: Origin: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info /Heavenly Aeroplane
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Aug 12 - 12:00 AM

My grandmother Perlie Sellers and grandfather Barry Sellers were Pentcostal pasters and thay did many brush arbors services. Thay preached thru out North an South Carolina.My grandmother started preaching in 1920 and contenued to preach until 1987 when she passed away.
   I'v heard The lords airplane as we call the song my entire life my mother still sings it at church to this day. My mother still has the hand written lyrics dated 1922 that my grandmother wrote.I find it hard to belive a J. S. McConnell wrote this song in Walla Wall,Washington in 1920 and my 22 year old grandmother somehow got the lyrics to the song all the way across the country a mere two years later.

Subject: RE: Origin: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info /Heavenly Aeroplane
From: Ross Campbell
Date: 22 Apr 16 - 06:50 AM

Apparently it's "Earth Day" today.

"John McConnell, founder of Earth Day, died October 20, 2012 in Denver at the age of 97."

From the International Earth Day website

http://www.earthsite.org/

It's a while since I sang "Heavenly Aeroplane" - must do something about that.

Ross

Subject: RE: Origin: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info /Heavenly Aeroplane
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 22 Apr 16 - 08:33 AM

Another song that was sung often by the estimable John and Cheryl Maughan when they ran the Tree Inn folk club in Stratton, Bude.

Subject: RE: Origin: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info /Heavenly Aeroplane
From: GUEST,SONOFNUN
Date: 04 Jan 17 - 05:48 PM

I read once that it was out of some Christian poetry book... I think it was called Lionheart of Christan faith of something....

Subject: RE: Origin: Jesus' Aeroplane--Info /Heavenly Aeroplane
From: banjoman
Date: 05 Jan 17 - 05:46 AM

First heard this when sung by Artisan at what they always called "The God Spot" at Whitchurch Festival back in the early 90's. (They sang it in All Hallows Church on the Sunday morning and it was very well received)