Lyr Req: Keep On the Firing Line (Carter Family)

Subject: LYR REQ: Carter Family's
From: CarterNut
Date: 20 Oct 98 - 12:34 PM

Am trying to find the words to the old Carter Family version of "Keep On the Firing Line." Can anyone help me? Appreciate it. Thanks, John.

Subject: Lyr Add: KEEP ON THE FIRING LINE^^
From: GUEST,Sorch
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 05:27 PM

I found it, but it seems it was the Cockman Family, not the Carter Family who recorded it. Stupid site keeps erasing my post when I go back after more info. From: Pentecostal Hymnal page 23 of Pentecostal Hymnal On Line. Warning: Pop Up Ads there!

Keep On The Firing Line
American traditional

1. If you're in the Battle for the Lord and right
Keep on the firing line
If you win the victory, brother, you must fight
Keep on the firing line
There are many dangers that we all must face
If you die still fighting it is no disgrace
Cowards in the service should not have a place
Keep on the firing line
You must fight, be brave against all evil
Never run, nor even lag behind
If you would fight for God and for right
Keep on the firing line

2. God will only use a soldier He can trust
Keep on the firing line
If you'll wear a crown then bear the cross you must
Keep on the firing line
Life is but to labor for the Master dear
Help to banish darkness and to spread good cheer
We shall be rewarded for our service here
Keep on the firing line
You must fight, be brave against all evil
Never run, nor even lag behind
If you would fight for God and for right
Keep on the firing line

3. When we get to heaven we shall be so glad
Keep on the firing line
We shall praise the Savior for the call we had
Keep on the firing line
'Twill be joy to see the many ransomed men
Those who came to Jesus from the paths of sin
Hear their happy welcome and go marching in
Keep on the firing line
You must fight, be brave against all evil
Never run, nor even lag behind
If you would fight for God and for right
Keep on the firing line

Subject: Lyr Add: KEEP ON THE FIRING LINE^^
From: masato sakurai
Date: 01 Sep 01 - 11:00 PM

Keep On The Firing Line
(The Carter Family version)

If you're in the battle for the Lord and right
Just keep on the firin' line
If you win the battle surely you must fight
So keep on the firin' line

Brother keep on the firin' line (firin' line)
Keep on the firin' line
Time is getting short, Jesus coming soon
Brother keep on the firin' line

There are many dangers everyone must face
If you die a-fighting there is no disgrace
With the Lord for cowards you will find no place
So keep on the firin' line

Brother keep on the firin' line (firin' line)
Keep on the firin' line
Time is getting short, Jesus coming soon
Brother keep on the firin' line

God can only use the soldiers He can trust
To keep on the firin' line
If you wear the crown bear the cross you must
So keep on the firin' line

Brother keep on the firin' line (firin' line)
Keep on the firin' line
Time is getting short, Jesus coming soon
Brother keep on the firin' line

Brother keep on the firin' line (firin' line)
Keep on the firin' line
Time is getting short, Jesus coming soon
Brother keep on the firin' line

Source: A 220-page large-size book (with many photographs, notes, lyrics, discography) written by Charles Wolfe, attached to The Carter Family: In the Shadow of Clinch Mountain (Bear Family, 12-CD box set). Notes read as follows: "Keep On the Firing Line began its life as a bracing march by Bessie F. Hatcher in 1915; in later years it became an up-tempo standard for gospel quartets around the country."

Th lyrics are also found in The Carter Family Songs site, with minor differences.

Masato

Subject: RE: LYR REQ: Carter Family's 'Keep On Firing Line'
From: wysiwyg
Date: 02 Sep 01 - 01:07 AM

Ah, Sorch, you missed the link at the PH site that takes you to the ad-free version!

~S~

Subject: Are you lonesome tonight
From: GUEST,RJ99
Date: 14 Nov 03 - 01:28 AM

Anyone know what year the Carters first recored this song?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Keep On the Firing Line (Carter Family)
From: masato sakurai
Date: 14 Nov 03 - 10:39 PM

The Carter Family's "Keep On the Firing Line" (BS 067996-1) was recorded 14 October 1941, New York City. (Source: Kip Lornell, Virginia' Blues, Country, & Gospel Records 1902-1943; Meade et al., Country Music Sources)

Subject: ADD Version: Keep On the Firing Line (Schneyer)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Jan 08 - 03:13 AM

Here's the version from What a Singing There Will Be:


Keep On the Firing Line
Traditional

If you're in the struggle for the Lord and right
Keep on the firing line
If you'd win the battle brother, you must fight
So keep on the firing line, my brother
There are many dangers that we all must face
If we die while fighting, it is no disgrace
But cowards in the army should not have a place
So keep on the firing line

Chorus:
You must fight and be brave against all evil
Never run though your foes combine
If you would fight for God and right
Then keep on the firing line

God can never use a soldier he can't trust
Keep on the firing line
If you'd wear the crown, then bear the cross you must
So keep on the firing line, my brother
Life is but to labor for the Master dear
Help to banish darkness and to spread good cheer
Then we shall be rewarded for our service here
If we keep on the firing line

When we get to heaven we will be so glad
Keep on the firing line
We will thank our Father for the call that we had
If we keep on the firing line, my brother
There we'll meet the souls that we helped to win
We led 'em up to heaven from the paths of sin
We'll hear their welcome plaudits and go marching in
If we keep on the firing line


Helen's notes: Great song for joyous bellowing. I learned it first, with minor word changes, as a labor union organizing song.