This link (click) will lead you to YouTube recordings of the civil rights song. For completeness, maybe we should post the Traditional Ballad Index entry:

Keep On a-Walking (Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round)

DESCRIPTION: "Ain't gonna let nobody, Lordy, Turn me 'round (x3)... Keep on a-walking, Keep on a-talking, Marchin' on to freedom land." Similarly "Ain't gonna let no jailhouse... Turn me round," etc. Versions may refer to local events
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1962 (source tune recorded by Jimmy Davis in 1936)
KEYWORDS: discrimination political nonballad
FOUND IN: US
REFERENCES (3 citations):
Scott-BoA, pp. 374-375, "Keep On a-Walkin'" (1 text, 1 tune)
Silber-FSWB, p. 303, "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round" (1 text)
cf. Greenway-AFP, p. 234, "Don't Turn Around" (1 text, probably a union adaption of this song)
RECORDINGS:
Pete Seeger, "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round" (on Selma)
SAME TUNE:
Jimmie Davis "I Ain't Gonna Let Ol' Satan Turn Me Round" (Decca 5235, 1936)
Notes: This song, an activist hymn from the civil rights and labor movements, was clearly adapted from "I Ain't Gonna Let Ol' Satan Turn Me Round." Jimmie Davis recorded that song; in view of the later adaptation, it's ironic that his second successful run for governor was on a racist platform, pledging resistance to integration. - PJS
File: SBoA374

---

Go to the Ballad Search form
Go to the Ballad Index Instructions
Go to the Bibiography
Go to the Discography


The Ballad Index Copyright 2009 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle.

---

I have to say I disagree with the Ballad Index on this one - Q makes a far better case. I couldn't find the Jimmie Davis recording, so I don't know if it's the same song. I did find recordings of "Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around" by the Fairfield Four, and by Blind Willie McTell (1898-1959). I did not find a date for these recordings.