Req:I'm on my way to the kingdom land/freedom land

Subject: Lyr Req: I'm on my way to the kingdom land
From:
Date: 06 Sep 03 - 10:16 AM

Hi evrybody!
I'm writing from Italy. I'm a director of a vocal group.
I'm searching for the lyrics of this song.
I've already found a version, but I knonw that another version exist!
Please, If you have the lyrics, please send-me!
THANKS!
Mauro.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm on my way to the kingdom land
From:
Date: 06 Sep 03 - 10:21 AM

If you have one version, would you post it so we can see what you currently have?

Found a version a Joel Mabus site.

I'm On My Way

Subject: DTADD: I'm on my way to the kingdom land
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Sep 03 - 11:17 AM

Here are the lyrics George linked to. If I recall correctly, there's a recording of this on a Marley's Ghost album, How Can I Keep From Singing?
-Joe Offer (e-mail sent)-

I'm On My Way
(trad.)

Once there lived a man named Job
He lived In the land of Nod
He was the only man for miles around
That kept the commandments of God
Now the devil, he got jealous
He went talkin' to God one day
He said "Remove your hand from a gospel man
He gonna curse you to your face."

He said, there's nothin' you can do
Gonna turn him around
There's nothin' you can do
Gonna turn him around
'Cause he done signed up -- made up his mind
He's on his way -- he's on his way

Now the devil put his hand on Job
And Job felt downright weak
He had boils on the top of his head
And sores on the bottom of his feet
Job's old friends come talkin' to him
They numbered from one to five
They said, "Job, you're sick and you won't get well
You better curse your God and die."

He said, there's nothin' you can do
Gonna turn me around
There's nothin' you can do
Gonna turn me around
'Cause I done signed up -- made up my mind
I'm on my way -- yes I'm on my way

Then Job's man come runnin' to him
Said, "Job, I got something to say.
The fire done come from heaven last night
And carried your cattle away."
Job looked right straight at the man
And said, "I don't have nothing to say
For the Lord, God in heaven, He giveth
And the Lord God taketh away."

And there's nothin' you can do
Gonna turn me around
There's nothin' you can do
Gonna turn me around
'Cause I done signed up -- made up my mind
I'm on my way -- yes I'm on my way

I'm on my way to the Kingdom land
I'm on my way to the Kingdom land
And if you don't go on my journey there
I'm on my way -- yes I'm on my way

Then Job's wife come talkin' to him
With the devil right in her eye.
She said, "Oooh, you're sick and you won't get well
You better curse your God and die."
Job looked right straight at the woman
Then he looked up in the sky.
Said, "Woman, you sound like the foolish one
But you sure don't sound like my wife.

I'm on my way to the Kingdom land
I'm on my way to the Kingdom land
And if you don't go on my journey there
I'm on my way -- yes I'm on my way

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm on my way to the kingdom land
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Sep 03 - 12:00 PM

When I get home I'll check my lyric and sound files... don't recongnize it, but might have it and not gotten to it yet.

~S~, on break at a training event

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm on my way to the kingdom land
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 06 Sep 03 - 04:07 PM

Sounds like a remake of "I'm On My Way to Freedom Land," by the Almanac Singers which is a much revised version of the hymns about going to "Canaan Land," see thread 53177 (and Cyberhymnal): Canaan's Land

Lyr. Add: I'M ON MY WAY TO FREEDOM LAND (2)

I'm on my way (I'm on my way)
And I won't turn back! (echo repeat)
I'm on my way (echo)
And I won't turn back! (echo)
I'm on my way, great God!
I'm on my way!

I'm on my way to Freedom Land (3x)
I'm on my way, great God, etc.

I asked my brother (sister, etc.) to come with me (3x)
I'm on my way. etc.

If he (she, etc.) says no, I'll go alone (3X)
I'm on my way, etc.

I ask my boss to let me go (3x)
I'm on my way. etc.

If he (etc.) says no, I'll go anyhow (3x)
I'm on my way, etc.)

Verses 7 and 8 repeat 1 and 2.

Almanac Singers (with Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie), from "Anti-Fascist Songs of the Almanac Singers," ca. 1942, mimeo. songbook.
These songs are post-underground railroad days.

I'm on my way

Subject: ADD: Monring Train (Peter Paul & Mary)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 09 Sep 03 - 12:22 AM

Peter, Paul and Mary sang this on their second album, "Moving", 1963. I'm surprised it doesn't seem to be posted anywhere. It was one of their better songs.

http://lyrics.net.ua/song/43730

MORNING TRAIN

I'm goin' home on the morning train.
I'm goin' home on the morning train.
I'm goin' home on the morning train.
If you don't see me, you can hear me singing.
All my sins been taken away, taken away.

Sister Mary wore three links of chain.
Sister Mary wore three links of chain.
Sister Mary wore three links of chain.
On each link was my Jesus name.
All my sins been taken away, taken away.

I'm on my way to the freedom land.
I'm on my way to the freedom land.
I'm on my way to the freedom land.
Lord God Almighty, hold my hand.
All my sins been taken away, taken away.

Well I don't know but I been told,
Streets in heaven paved in gold.
Keep your hand on that plow, hold on.
Hold on, hold on, keep your hand on that plow, hold on.

The devil he has a slippery shoe,
And if you don't watch out he'll slip it on you.
Keep your hand on that plow, hold on.
Hold on, hold on, keep your hand on that plow, hold on.

I'm goin' home on the morning train.
I'm goin' home on the morning train.
I'm goin' home on the morning train.
If you don't see me, you can hear me singing.
All my sins been taken away, taken away.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm on my way to the kingdom land
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Sep 03 - 02:23 AM

While all three of these songs have elements in common, the tunes are very different. The PP&M "Morning Train" song that Jim posted is one I've wondered about - I think it's most probably a version of Jordan Deep and Jordan Wide that Dicho posted a while back.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm on my way to the kingdom land
From: Azizi
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 10:54 AM

Here's a note about the origins of the Civil Rights song "I'm On My Way" [lyrics posted above by Q on 06 Sep 03 - 04:07 PM ]

"I'm On My Way
The Civil Rights movement in 1960s was the singingest movement in American history. Old African American spirituals like, "I Will Overcome," "I'm On My Way to Canaan Land" and dozens of others were adapted by marchers and demonstrators throughout the South and across the nation. By design, the repetitive nature and "call back" structure of a spiritual make it ideal for improvised group singing.

Source: Sing for Freedom, edited and compiled by Guy and Candie Carawan. Sing Out! Publications.
Recordings on file by: Carter Family, Mahalia Jackson, Various artists."

https://www.oldtownschool.org/resources/songnotes/songnotes_I.html

-snip-

I've also found lyrics to this song http://www.songsforteaching.com/billharley/imonmyway.htm

The only difference in the words [besides the order of interchangeable "zipper" referents] is that the fixed refrain at the end of the verses is "I'm on my way, praise God/I'm on my way."

**

I've also read online that "I'm On My Way To [The] Canaan Land" is related to the song "I'm Bound For The Promised Land".

Subject: Add:Lyr: Bound For Canaan Land
From: Azizi
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 06:33 PM

BOUND FOR CANAAN LAND

Where're you bound ?
Bound for Canaan land

O, you must not lie
You must not steal
You must not take God's name in vain
I'm bound for Canaan land

Your horse is white, your garment is bright
You look like a man of war
Raise up your head with courage bold
For your race is almost run

How you know ?
Jesus told me

Although you see me going so
I'm bound for Canaan land
I have trials here below
I'm bound for Canaan land

http://www.negrospirituals.com/news-song/bound_for_canaan_land.htm


**
I also found these threads on "Canaan":
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=8677#54730
Canaan's Land: info wanted

**
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=8677#159862
Canaan's Land: info wanted

and
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=53177
Lyr Req: In canaans land + son of man never dies

For the most part, the comments on these posts refer to the song "Canaan's Land" that is in the DigitalTradition.

Bound for Canaan and "I'm On My Way To Canaan's Land" two songs which are different from each other and different from "Canaan's Land".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm on my way to the kingdom land
From: oldhippie
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 07:44 PM

Q, you're "On My Way to Freedom Land" is listed in my hymnal as "traditional African American folk, c. 1750-1875" (arranged by Mary Allen Walden). So, I think its older than the Almanac Singers.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm on my way to the kingdom land
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 09:50 PM

What hymnal, oldhippie? c. 1750-1875 is meaningless; no spirituals collected in the 18th c., and nearly all references post-1850.

I believe "Bound for Canaan Land," posted by Azizi, above, is different from the spiritual "Boun' for Canaan Land," McIlhenny, 1933, "Befo' de War Spirituals," but I don't have access to this rare book. It may be the inspiration for several of these songs.

Other hymns whose contents or titles are similar but are unrelated to the songs here:
"To Canaan's Land I'm On My Way," by William N. Golden, 1914
"On Jordan's Stormy Banks I Stand," Stennett, 1787.
"I'm Abiding in Canaan Land" Christiansen and Lillenas, 1818
"There Is a Land of Pure Delight," Isaac Watts, 1707 (verses speak of Canaan).

To add to the collection:

Lyr. Add: ON MY WAY TO CANAAN'S LAND
Carter Family

I'm On My Way to Canaan's Land (3x)
I'm on my way (praise God) I'm on my way.

If father won't go it won't hinder me (3x)
I'm on my way (praise God) I'm on my way.

If mother won't go it won't hinder me, etc.

If sister won't go it won't hinder me, etc.

Oh be baptized in Jesus name, etc.

I'm on my way to Canaan's land, etc.

http://www.icdc.com/~fmoore/carterfamily/on_my_way_to_canaan.htm
On My Way

Lyr. Add: ON MY WAY TO FREEDOM LAND
Seattle Public Schools

I'm on my way to the freedom land (3x)
I'm on my way, oh yeh
I'm on my way.

I asked my brother to come with me
I asked my sister to come with me
I asked my family to come with me
I'm on my way, oh yeh
I'm on my way.

If you won't helk don't hinder me (3x)
I'm on my way, oh yeh
I'm on my way.

At school ech day, we learn to write
At school each day, we never fight
At school each day we do whats right (sic)
I'm on my way, oh yeh
I'm on my way.

I'm on my way to the freedom land (3x)
I'm on my way, oh yeh
I'm on my way.

http://www.seattleschools.org/schools/southshore/lyrics.htm
On My Way

"Weeping Pilgrim" sung by Natalie Merchant seems based on "Bound for Canaan Land,"

Lyr. Add: WEEPING PILGRIM
Natalie Merchant, arr. from trad.

If you see them father
Please tell them
I'm a poor mourning pilgrim
Bound for Canaan land.

Well I weep and moan
And I move slowly on
I'm a poor mourning pilgrim
Bound for Canaan Land.

If you see them sister
Please tell them
I'm a poor mourning pilgrim
Bound for Canaan land.

Well I weep and I moan
And I move slowly on
I'm a poor etc.

If you see them brother,
Please tell them, etc.

Well I weep and moan (repeated verse)

If you see them mother,
Please tell them, etc.

Well I weep and moan, etc.

With chords.
http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/tabs/n/natalie_merchant/weeping_pilgrim_crd.htm

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm on my way to the kingdom land
From: Azizi
Date: 03 Feb 07 - 10:21 PM

Here's a passage that mentions a "Canaan" song in Maud Cuney-Hare's 1936 book "The Negro Musician And Their Music {Washington D.C., The Associated Publishers, Inc., pps.67-68} :

"The plantation songs were used interchangeably-for revival shouts, for burial songs,for hymns of consolation, and for signals, or means of communication. In planning secet meeings or plotting ways by which they might escape to the North or to Canada, songs that had a double meaning were used. At St Michael, Talbot County, Maryland, five young men, Henry and John Harris, Sandy Jenkins, Henry Bailey, and Charles Roberts, plotted with young Frederick Douglass, in 1836, to find means of escaping to free territory, They repeatedly sang "O Canaan, Sweet Canaan,, I am bound for the land of Canaan", which meant they were determined to reach the North, their Canaan."

-snip-

Given the dangers of any planned escape from slavery, I expect that these six men were very circumspect about when and where and around whom they sang this song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm on my way to the kingdom land
From: GUEST,Sonni Lap
Date: 16 Apr 07 - 03:22 PM

Joe - you ARE the man! I was trying to transcribe these lyrics and it was really
taking a L O N G time. It's the kind of song you have to keep starting and stopping to
really get it. Then after surving the web with no results - up comes MUDCAT and your
entry.

Just wanted to say THANKS so very much for taking the time - or if you found them,
thank the folks who typed it up.

Regards,
Sonni

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm on my way to the kingdom land
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Apr 07 - 02:08 AM

Take 6 (a jazz/gospel group) does an outstanding jazz version of "I'm on my Way".

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm on my way to the kingdom land
From: GUEST,siby
Date: 30 Nov 11 - 11:48 AM

I am looking for the real lyrics of the song I AM ON MY WAY TO CANNAN'S LAND .A song i heard from the movie Elmer Gantry, i looking forward for the that lyrics.
Please Help

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: I'm on my way to the kingdom land
From: GUEST,Adeline
Date: 25 May 12 - 02:04 PM

Hello Siby,

funny, I was also looking for the real lyrics of the song in the movie Elmer Gantry, and found your question. I thought "right, i won't find it on the web".
But I did !

The script of the movie is available, and the song has been transcribed. You can find it at that url :
http://www.script-o-rama.com/movie_scripts/e/elmer-gantry-script-transcript-lancaster.html

And the lyrics :

(choir singing "I'm On My Way")


? I'm on my way
? Off to Canaan land
? I'm on my way
? Off to Canaan land
? I'm on my way
? Glory, hallelujah
? I'm on my way
? Well, I'm on my way
? Off to Canaan land
? I'm on my way
? Off to Canaan land
? I'm on my way
? Off to Canaan land
? I'm on my way
? Glory, hallelujah
? I'm on my way
? Had a mighty hard time
? But I'm on my way
? Had a mighty hard time
? But I'm on my way
? It's a mighty hard climb
? But I'm on my way
? On my way
? Glory, hallelujah
? I'm on my way
? All along the way
? Satan lies a-waitin'
? Every night and day
? Satan lies a-waitin'
? Hear me shout and say
? Get behind me, Satan
? I'm on my way
? Glory, hallelujah
? I'm on my way
? Fight the devil and pray
? Take another step higher
? Fight the devil and pray
? Lord, I want to climb higher
? Chase the devil away
? Lord, I'm caught in his fire
? I'm on my way   
? Glory, hallelujah
? I'm on my way
? Lord, I'm on my way
? Lord, I'm on my way
? Lord, Lord
? Lord, I'm on my way
? I'm on my way