ADD: Going Up Home (to Live in Green Pastures)

24 Mar 02 - 05:44 PM (#675547)
Subject: Green Pastures
From: MsMoon

Looking for lyrics to "Green Pastures" by Van Hoose (sp?). I have only heard it as recorded by Emmylou Harris and Ricky Scaggs.

---

24 Mar 02 - 06:02 PM (#675556)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: wysiwyg

I believe we have chords for this as well in a previous thread.

~S~

---

24 Mar 02 - 06:23 PM (#675558)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: George Seto - [e-mail]

The only one I found on Mudcat was a thread about the Movie of that name. I didn't see it there.

The Harmony/OLGA site lists the song, so if people want chords, I can link to that one.

---

24 Mar 02 - 07:04 PM (#675581)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)

Chords here from Harris recording: Harris
What is the history of this song?

---

24 Mar 02 - 07:09 PM (#675585)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)

Site is http://www.guitaretab.com/gtab/t/7859. Don't know why it won't work.

---

24 Mar 02 - 07:24 PM (#675591)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: wysiwyg

Well, it's a bluegrass standard. I've never seen an author attribution.

~S~

---

24 Mar 02 - 07:30 PM (#675593)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: Charley Noble

I do remember discussing this song in a previous thread within 2001. Great song for harmonies.

---

24 Mar 02 - 07:33 PM (#675594)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: wysiwyg

Thanks Charley!! That made it pop back in my head! It was titled, WHERE'S THE DAMN MELODY?!?! I think I posted it in there!

~S~

---

24 Mar 02 - 07:34 PM (#675595)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: George Seto - [e-mail]

Green Pastures

---

24 Mar 02 - 07:41 PM (#675599)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)

Harris (Can't use the www)

---

24 Mar 02 - 07:42 PM (#675600)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: George Seto - [e-mail]

Found it!

Lyr Add: Going Up Home (Green Pastures)

---

24 Mar 02 - 08:18 PM (#675609)
Subject: Lyr Add: GREEN PASTURES (Stanley Brothers)
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)

Recorded by the Stanley Brothers.
Melody played at Green Pastures
Alternate lyrics to first verse:

GREEN PASTURES

Trouble and trials often betray us
Tempting the wearying body to stray
But we shall all meet 'side the still waters
With the Good Shepherd leading the way.

---

24 Mar 02 - 09:14 PM (#675634)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: wysiwyg

I don't hear the one I know!

~S~

---

24 Mar 02 - 11:43 PM (#675716)
Subject: Lyr Add: CARRY ME BACK TO GREEN PASTURES
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)

Nagging in the back of my mind was another song that I sang when I was a kid. The Scouts sang it. I think Joe Offer pointed to a Scout song book (or Guides). With that clue, I found it on the Birminghan Scouts and Guides site.

Lyr. Add: GREEN PASTURES

Carry me back to green, green pastures
Dat's where I long to be;
Carry me back to green pastures,
Dat am de place for me.
I want to see de fields of cotton,
Close to that Swanee shore;
I want to hear my mammy callin',
Down by dat cabin door.
Ole rockin' chair jes' keeps on swingin',
Rockin' me to and fro;
Sometimes I hear de angels singin',
"Chariots a-swingin' low."
I know dat dere's a land of promise
Waitin' for weary souls,
Carry me back to green, green pastures,
Down where de Jordan rolls.

Quiz: How many songs do these words remind you of?

Pastures

---

25 Mar 02 - 06:27 PM (#676175)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: GUEST,guest

I remember learning some 20 years ago that the chorus to the Stanley classic does not say "die nevermore" but rather "dine evermore"

---

08 Nov 04 - 09:43 AM (#1320407)
Subject: Origins: Green Pastures
From: GLoux

Rather than starting a new thread, I thought I'd amend this one.

What is the origin or source of Green Pastures? Is there an earlier recording of it prior to the Stanley Brothers version?

-Greg

---

08 Nov 04 - 04:39 PM (#1320696)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: GLoux

Using Google, I found there is a song, "Green Pastures", written by a Wilfred/Wilfrid Sanderson, who lived 1878-1935, but I haven't been able to get any more information as yet.

-Greg

---

08 Nov 04 - 06:27 PM (#1320782)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

In the 1930s, Paul Robson sang "Carry Me Back to Green Pastures," no further data.
This song could be worth finding. One site had a clip on a Robson cd called "Green Pastures," but it wouldn't play. At Amazon, it is listed with a clip on "Ol' Man River- His 25 greatest, but it plays "Lonesone Road."

"Green Pastures." Wilfrid Sanderson, music; Helen Taylor lyrics; 1931. Frequently sung in school competitions, under copyright.

---

08 Nov 04 - 10:52 PM (#1321053)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

Got one of the Robeson "Carry Me Back to Green Pastures" to work. Sounds like a composed song, unrelated to the Green Pastures as sung by the Stanley Brothers.

---

09 Nov 04 - 09:17 AM (#1321371)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: GLoux

Q -- Thank you for checking. I'm still trying to find out more about the Sanderson/Taylor song. I find the Stanley Brothers version having no traceable lineage (other than van Hoos) quite curious.

-Greg

---

09 Nov 04 - 02:08 PM (#1321696)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

I agree that there must be precursors. The subject and ideas are in a dozen or more hymns in the Cyberhymnal, and I am sure that there are many more.

Searching on the line "We will not heed the voice of a stranger" leads to many references to this biblical exhortation, which is alluded to in several songs.

So far nothing close enough.

---

10 Nov 04 - 10:40 AM (#1322366)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: GLoux

I originally posted my query here on behalf of a friend, Steve Goldfield.

Someone gave him the answer and I'm posting it here. I believe Paul Wells is at East Tennessee State University.

-Greg

I got the full details from my friend, Paul Wells,
Director of the Center for Popular Music.

==================================================
I've long since zapped the original query about this, but we have the
song as "Going to Live in Green Pastures," copyrighted 1963 by Stamps
Quartet Music Co., Inc., words and music attributed to H.W. VanHoose.
It appears in the songbook "Vict'ry Road," published by the Stamps
Quartet Music Co. in 1963.
==================================================

Thanks to Don Talley, who couldn't post here but also sent
me the name of the author.

So a toast to Mr. or Ms. VanHoose and also to the Cook
Family. I'll check and see if I've got their version
for the raw power of human singing.

Steve

---

10 Nov 04 - 11:45 AM (#1322432)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

That is the answer for the first post in this thread.

When did the Stanley Brothers record their song? Is it the same as the Van Hoose 1963 song?

---

10 Nov 04 - 12:40 PM (#1322500)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: GLoux

The Stanley Brothers released Green Pastures on their Over The Sunset Hill album in 1968. Since they attribute it to VanHoose, I have to assume it is the same as the 1963 song.

Someone has asserted that a recording by the Cook Family (?) is better than the other recordings. I'm trying to track that down. Someone else asked if the Stamps Quartet recorded it...(they published it)...can't find it.

-Greg

---

11 Nov 04 - 01:23 PM (#1323457)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

Ralph Stanley correctly listed his take as "Going Up Home to Live in Green Pastures," the Vanhoose song, not "Green Pastures." Several websites with the verse starting "Going up home" incorrectly list the song as traditional, using the title "Green Pastures."
Emmylou Harris listed "Green Pastures" as trad. (1980 and later), which is incorrect since she used the Vanhoose words- the "Going Up Home" verse is there. Same is true of the Harris-Skaggs duet.

Steven Ivey, and The Chieftains listed "Green Pastures" as traditional Celtic (same song??).
Fernando Ortega listed it correctly as Vanhoose.

So, is there a trad. "Green Pastures"? Dunno.

---

11 Nov 04 - 01:27 PM (#1323462)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: Charley Noble

I always assumed it went back further than the early 1960's but I haven't found a trace in my usual sources.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

---

11 Nov 04 - 01:30 PM (#1323464)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: axman664

Cry Cry Cry did this tune in their concerts. (Cry Cry Cry is Richard Shindell, Lucy Kaplansky, Dar Williams.) I never got to see them...anyone out there hear them do this tune when they toured together?

---

11 Nov 04 - 03:24 PM (#1323639)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: GLoux

Bill Martin says:

To hear the Cooke Duet's powerful rendition you have to score their
cassette tape, The Cooke Duet: God Is Not Dead, He's Still Alive
(Smitty's Tapes). Beats the hell out of me where to find Smitty's
Tapes. I got mine from John Hatton's traveling record store.

There are a couple of CDs out: The Cooke Duet: Early Cooke Duet;
Freeland Frc-CD-647 and The Cooke Duet: The Best Of The Cooke Duet;
Freeland cd-641. Green Pastures is not on either one.

Bill Martin

With regard to the title, it appears to me that Ralph changed the name...when the Stanley Brothers recorded it they called it Green Pastures.

-Greg

---

11 Nov 04 - 04:21 PM (#1323750)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

What recording by the Stanley Brothers has it as "Green Pastures?" I can only find it listed as "Going Up Home" by the Brothers (on their "16 greatest gospel hits".

It is listed at bluegrasslyrics.com for the Stanley Brothers, but I can't find it after looking at listings for many cds.

"Over the Sunset Hill is listed as a Ralph Stanley cd, with the title "Going Up Home to Live in Green Pastures" for that track.

---

11 Nov 04 - 05:01 PM (#1323792)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: GLoux

All you need is ambiguous information on the web to really screw things up.

Q: you're right...Carter Stanley died December 1, 1966. Even though I found it listed as by the Stanley Brothers, Over the Sunset Hill (1968), is a Ralph album...

I've asked John Lupton...he wrote the 2002 Sing Out! Article on Ralph with a great, detailed discography. I think he's got access to the recordings...

I'll post more when I hear back...

-Greg

---

11 Nov 04 - 08:44 PM (#1324059)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

This is turning into Trivia Heaven, but once it catches you-

Many years ago I read "Old Man Adam and His Chillun," Roark Bradford (on which the classic film, "Green Pastures," was based). Every time I see 'green pastures', I pause and look.
I am surprised that there are almost no traditional songs using the phrase. Perhaps a consequence of the many hymns using the image.

---

13 Nov 04 - 06:45 AM (#1325512)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: Jim Dixon

Here's the catalog entry for the song that Dicho posted above, from Indiana University Sheet Music Collections:

Title: CARRY ME BACK TO GREEN PASTURES
Composer: Pepper, Harry S.
Lyricist: Pepper, Harry S.
Arranger: Leaman, Lou
Publisher: Mills Music, Inc.
Place of publication: New York
Date of publication: 1934
Call Number: M1 .D48 Box: 181 Item: 045
Performance Medium: Piano, Voice and Chords
First Line: Carry me back to green, green pastures, dat's where I long to be
Genre: Popular song
Subject term: Negro

---

13 Nov 04 - 02:04 PM (#1325801)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

Yes, but a sort of tin pan alley song, sung by Paul Robeson among others. Unrelated to the Vanhoose song. Neither of them based on traditional origins although perhaps inspired by some of the hymns on the subject.

---

15 Nov 04 - 10:19 AM (#1327326)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: GLoux

John Lupton got back to me saying that he didn't do the discography, but forwarded my request to the Sing Out! folks who did...plus he asked another mutual friend who I think has in his possession every old-time and bluegrass recording ever made.

No answer yet, but I thought I'd make a progress report...

Hey, isn't this an Amurican thread?

-Greg

---

15 Nov 04 - 01:35 PM (#1327515)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: Q (Frank Staplin)

Yep, keep us posted.
Another Amurican thread- origin of tune for "Say, Brothers....," "John Brown's ..."
Looking up references and asking people for information takes a lot of time. My old brain gets hopelessly muddled if I look into too many things at the same time.

---

15 Nov 04 - 02:02 PM (#1327548)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: GLoux

This is the response from Mark Moss of Sing Out!

Hi Greg -

The Ralph discography was a wild and interesting ride, made possible only
with the patience of input from the folks at Rebel/County and a lot of
reasoned leg work on our part. The problem is that there are SO many
uncredited reissues and compilations that it is virtually impossible to
really figure all this stuff out without *having* the actual recordings in
hand to make comparisons.

I can tell you that Ralph seems to have recorded the song several times,
both with Carter and following his passing.

When he recorded it sans Carter, it was usually titled "Going Up Home to
Live in Green Pastures." It seems that there were at least three recordings
spread across a number of samplers and albums: One with the Clinch Mt. Boys
(which I can track back to the 1971-1973 period he was recording for
Rebel), a duet with Larry Sparks recorded for Freeland in the early '90s,
and another duet with "Ricky Lee" live at the Smithsonian. (I'm not betting
anything valuable on absolute certainty of this guess ... it's just that
the info I'm finding would seem to indicate three separate recordings, and
I can't prove more.)

The only Stanley Bros. version I can find is from the late '90s compilation
on Hollywood entitled: _16 Gospel Hits_. That's recorded (or at least
listed) under the shortened name "Going Up Home." And like a lot of these
compilations, it has no discographical info that could shed light on the
year of the recording. (The only help here is that there are several
projects that claim to be "complete" sets from various label eras, and this
track is on none of them. There may be holes between those periods, but
those sets include output from Mercury, Columbia, Rich-R-Tone, Starday &
King.)

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

I have heard from the other contact and he'll check when he gets home...

-Greg

---

16 Nov 04 - 12:52 PM (#1328782)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Green Pastures
From: GLoux

Cooke Duet - Green Pastures

Whew! Thanks to Bill Martin for posting this. He says that this version is God's favorite version of the song.

-Greg

---

20 Jul 07 - 06:03 PM (#2107859)
Subject: wilfrid sanderson- Green Pastures
From: GUEST,Ashley

anyone heard this song? or have any idea where i can find it? i am singing it for a music contest but i dont have the music. if anyone has any idea that would be great!

---