Lyr Req: You Got to Have Jesus (Denomination Blues

Subject: Lyrics- You Got to Have Jesus
From: Tomo
Date: 15 Dec 04 - 12:44 PM

Lyrics for 'You go to have Jesus' or 'That's all'. I'm new to Mudcat and lyric searches and have failes to find it in DT. The DT entry for That's All is related but is not the version I'm seeking. Heard a version by Ry Cooder and can remember [probably badly] some verses. Contains 'All denominations didn't ought to fight' and 'You can go to college, you can go to school, If you ain't got religion, You'se an educated fool'.

Subject: RE: Lyrics- You Got to Have Jesus
From: Azizi
Date: 15 Dec 04 - 01:23 PM

Hello, Tomo. welcome to Mudcat!

Sorry, I don't know that song. I vaguely remember a song a song "I've rather have Jesus" ["than silver & gold"...something else... and the words "with wealth untold"..and then something like "than all this world can give"...

But that is probably not the song you are thinking of..

This is probably also off topic, but I've seen the verse you quoted 'You can go to college, you can go to school, If you ain't got religion, You'se an educated fool' in several African American children's handclap rhymes. If you're interested, I think that it's related to the African American slave dance song "Ole Jesse".
See the Mudcat thread on the Origin of Aunt Jennie Died for more info on that.

I hope someone here knows the song you're seeking!

Subject: RE: Lyrics- You Got to Have Jesus
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Dec 04 - 01:33 PM

Welcome to Mudcat Tomo and welcome again, Azizi!

Tomo, you might like to look over the site FAQ (top of thread list) for some Mudcat search tips.

I think Ry Cooder has done a version of the song-- at least as I hear a piece of it in my head, it sounds like his voice! :~) Sorry I don't have enough of it in my head to help more.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Lyrics- You Got to Have Jesus
From: Stewie
Date: 15 Dec 04 - 06:26 PM

The song you are after is 'Denomination Blues Pts I & II' by the great Washington Phillips. You will find it on this album: CLICK HERE. Cooder recorded it on 'Into the Purple Valley' and you will find transcriptions related to his recording from a Google search. Most of the ones I've opened seem to be from the same source because they have the same mistake of 'denominations have the right to fight' instead of 'denominations have no right to fight' as Phillips sang. Here is an example: CLICK. I don't know how accurate it is in respect of Cooder's recording as I don't have it handy, but it is inaccurate in respect of Phillips' recording. I commend to you the Phillips album linked above - it is simply wonderful! Camsco probably have it or can get it for you.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: Lyrics- You Got to Have Jesus
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Dec 04 - 07:45 AM

Oh, YEAH! That one!

More about Washington Phillips HERE. And at the Amazon link Stewie provided above, there is a sound clip for this song and others.

~Susan

Subject: Add: DENOMINATION BLUES
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Dec 04 - 07:52 AM

DENOMINATION BLUES
(Washington Phillips)
As transcribed (anonymously) from the singing of Ry Cooder

(G) I wanna tell you people it's a nat'ral fact
Ev'ry man don't understand 'bout the life
And that's (C) all, I tell you that's (G) all
'Cause you better have (D) Jesus
I tell you that's (G) all

Well, the denominations have the right to fight*
They ought go on and treat each other right
And that's all, I tell you that's all
'Cause you better have Jesus
I tell you that's all

It's right to stand together, wrong to stand apart
When none will enter heaven but the pure at heart
And that's all, I'll tell you that's all
'Cause you better have Jesus
I'll tell you that's all

Well, the primitive Baptists they believe
That you can't go to heaven 'less you wash your feet
And that's all, I'll tell you that's all
'Cause you better have Jesus
I tell you that's all

Well, the African Methodists, they believe the same
'Cause they know denomination ain't a thing but a name
And that's all, I'll tell you that's all
'Cause you better have Jesus
I tell you that's all

Well, people that jump from church to church
You can bet their conversion don't amount too much
And that's all, I'll tell you that's all
'Cause you better have Jesus
I tell you that's all

Well, you can to your college, you can go to your school
But if you ain't got Jesus, you'se (you are) an educated fool
And that's all, I'll tell you that's all
'Cause you better have Jesus
I tell you that's all

SH

*"denominations have no right to fight," per Stewie's post referencing Phillips' text, above

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: You Got to Have Jesus (Denomination Blues
From: GUEST,Stu
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 05:55 PM

I stumbled upon the song during the closing credits of a "Cracker" episode (1993 British TV crime series), powerfully sung by Sister Rosetta Tharpe (her version retitled it as, "That's All").

Stu