Lyr Add: Little David, Play on your harp

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Little David, Play on your harp
From: raredance
Date: 11 Feb 24 - 06:27 PM

Well that was sloppy editing. Fisk University Jubilee Quartet, recorded in 1909 and released in 1910.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpsT9ITvbQs

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Little David, Play on your harp
From: raredance
Date: 11 Feb 24 - 06:10 PM

The putative first recording of this song was by Fisk University Male Quartette. Recorded in 1909 amnd re;eased in 1910.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Little David, Play on your harp
From: cnd
Date: 24 Jan 16 - 11:39 AM

You're correct is was issued on King. I heard some of it on a Youtube video, and it is pretty good. The one by Peanut Faircloth isn't available online, but if it ever is, it's a pretty exciting rendition with a lively piano and several vocalists, though admittedly a little difficult to understand. Speaking of, I meant to include that the endings of the verses "You go to church on Sunday" etc are a little questionable. That's what it sounds like they sang, but it's a little hard to tell.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Little David, Play on your harp
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 24 Jan 16 - 11:16 AM

The most rousing version of this song that I have heard was recorded live at a church service by Brother Claude Ely. I believe it was issued on he King Label.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Little David, Play on your harp
From: cnd
Date: 24 Jan 16 - 10:38 AM

A version I heard by "Peanut" Faircloth and his Log Cabin Boys has the standard first opening (David was a shepherd boy, etc), but has the following fairly unique verses afterwards. I was unable to find examples of more online.

I done told you once, and I done told you twice
That you can't get to heaven playin' cards and shootin' dice

Little David played...

Well, now you tell your wife you're gwine fishin' down to the South
But the good Lord help your wife gonna find that you've been sleepin' 'round

Little David played...

You go to church on Sunday, give the preacher plenty tale
But that don't do you no good, brother, 'cause the Lord knows it isn't tale

Little David played...

You can also see more unique ones from Smithsonian Folkways here: http://media.smithsonianfolkways.org/liner_notes/folkways/FW02691.pdf

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Little David, Play on your harp
From: John Hardly
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 09:01 PM

Or as James Taylor sang it on his "One Man Dog" album...

Little David play on your harp,
Hallelu, hallelu;
Little David play on your harp, hallelu.
Little David play on your harp,
Hallelu, hallelu;
Little David play on your harp, hallelu.

Hey now I don't know for sure
But it gets said, and I got told
Someone said that the streets of heaven
Were paved with solid gold (must make a mighty good road)

Little David play on your harp,
Hallelu, hallelu;
Little David play on your harp, hallelu.
Little David play on your harp,
Hallelu, hallelu;
Little David play on your harp, hallelu.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Little David, Play on your harp
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 07:55 PM

Also surprised it doesn't seem to be posted here; absent from the Spirituals Permathread.

A good arrangement for solo voice in Clarence Cameron White, 1927, "Forty Negro Spirituals Compiled and Arranged for Solo Voice," Presser (full score).

Lyr. Add: LITTLE DAVID, PLAY ON YO' HARP

Refrain:
Little David, play on yo' harp,
Hallelu'! Hallelu'!~
Little David, play on yo' harp,
Hallelu'!
Little David, play on yo' harp,
Hallelu'! Hallelu'!
Little David, play on yo' harp,
Hallelu'!

Little David was a shepherd boy;
He slew Golia' an' shouted for joy.

Chorus-

Little David was a mighty king,
And all the people came to sing;,

Chorus-
----------------------
Another good arrangement by Roland Hayes, the noted Af-Am singer, "My Favorite Spirituals 30 Songs for Voice and Piano, pp. 30-31; Dover re-publication of "My Songs: ...Little, Brown.:

"Lit'l David Play on Your Harp"

David had a harp,
Had ten strings,
Touch one string,
An' de whole heaven ring.

I say to David,
"Come play me a piece."
David said to me,
"How can I play,
when I'm in a strange land?"
-----------------------------------------
Older Hampden version, in R. N. Dett, 1927, "Religious Folk-Songs of the Negro," p. 64.

Lyr. Add: LITTLE DAVID, PLAY ON YOUR HARP

Refrain-
Little David, play on your harp,
Hallelu'
Little David, play on your harp,
Hallelu'. (Hallelu')

1
God told Moses, O Lord!
Go down into Egypt, O Lord!
Tell ole Pharo', O Lord!
Loose my people, O Lord!
2
Down in the valley, O Lord!
Didn't go t' stay, O Lord!
My soul got happy, O Lord!
I stayed all day, O Lord!
3
Come down angels, o Lord!
With ink and pen, O Lord!
An' write salvation, O Lord!
To dyin' men, O Lord!

Many verses known and probably more unknown.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Little David, Play on your harp
From: pavane
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 11:08 AM

And I don't think it is Redd Sullivan for the next few songs (Dahn Below etc). Any help to identify the guest is welcome.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Little David, Play on your harp
From: pavane
Date: 20 Nov 08 - 11:06 AM

Go here
and enter password redd

This is from a cassette tape made at the Ivy Bush, Pontardawe, around 1973. Little David is the first song on the tape (Sung by Sandra)

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Little David, Play on your harp
From: pavane
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 09:13 AM

I will try and upload a performance of the song tomorrow

Subject: Lyr Add: Little David, Play on your harp
From: pavane
Date: 19 Nov 08 - 02:34 AM

Hope this isn't a duplicate. I searched and couldn't find it here.
I heard it sung only once, around 1973.
Tune to follow if possible


Little David play on your harp,
Hallelu, hallelu;
Little David play on your harp, hallelu.
Little David play on your harp,
Hallelu, hallelu;
Little David play on your harp, hallelu.

David was a shepherd boy,
He killed Goliath and shouted for joy.

Joshua was the son of Nun,
He never would quit till his work was done.

Little David play on your harp,
Hallelu, hallelu;
Little David play on your harp, hallelu.
Little David play on your harp,
Hallelu, hallelu;
Little David play on your harp, hallelu.

Composer unknown
Described as "Well known American spiritual song", trad