Lyr Req: Turn Back, Turn Back (from Ralph Stanley)

Subject: Lyr Req: Ralph Stanley "Turn Back, Turn Back"
From: GUEST,bigsciota
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 11:42 AM

So, at one point I had a CD that was a compilation of Ralph Stanley's work entitled "Great High Mountain." It had a great tune on it called "Turn Back, Turn Back," which he apparently learned from the Mullins Family. I have since lost that CD, but still remember the tune, and was wondering if anyone knows the lyrics. A bit of internet research says that it was written by a Rev. Enoch Rose.

I found this video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca7JCI5Jjhk

which has one of the verses, and also remember a verse like this:

My mind went back to the days of my childhood
When I went to church in the village square
The pews were full and the ?something? was ?something?
The people came to worship there

The chorus is

Turn back, turn back, you wayward pilgrim
Come back, come back, to the peaceful shore
Turn back, turn back, for the savior's waiting
To rescue you from the rank of woe

Anyone know the others? It's a fantastic song.

-Tyler

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ralph Stanley lyrics
From: BTNG
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 11:53 AM

The song title is, I think, Turn Back, Turn Back, I'm trying to find a lyric set

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ralph Stanley lyrics
From: BTNG
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 12:16 PM

Turn Back, Turn Back

We went down the road,
We turned together
to the ocean shore
and the village there
The road had been changed
and the people have wondered,
the bells don't ring,
there's no preachin' there

Turn back, turn back, ye wayward pilgrim
Come back, come back, to the peaceful shore
Turn back, turn back, for the savior's waiting
To rescue you in the ranks of woe

---------------------------------------------------------------------

that's what he sings here:

Ralph Stanley sings Gloryland," "Turn Back, Turn Back" and "Amazing Grace."

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Ralph Stanley lyrics
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Nov 11 - 12:24 PM

Yeah, I found that video and the first verse. I think there are three verses in total, and the third one is the one I'm really hung up on.

We went down the road, we turned together
To the ocean shore and the village there
The road has been changed, and the people have wandered
The bells don't ring, there's no preaching there

(Chorus)
Turn back, turn back, you wayward pilgrim
Come back, come back, to the peaceful shore
Turn back, turn back, for the savior's waiting
To rescue you from the rank of woe

My mind went back to the days of my childhood
When I went to church in the village square
The pews were full and the ?something? was ?something?
The people came to worship there

Then there's a third verse, something like "I want to go back to the time of my childhood." Anyone have this CD or know the song?

Also, anyone know other versions of the song?

-Tyler

After that there's

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Turn Back, Turn Back (from Ralph Stanley)
From: GUEST,Dr Peter Day
Date: 22 Nov 16 - 03:35 PM

I am trying to find out anything about this song and complete lyrics can anyone help?

Thanks
Peter

Subject: LYR ADD: Turn Back (Stanley)
From: GUEST,cnd
Date: 22 Nov 16 - 08:49 PM

TURN BACK
(Trad)

We went down the road, we turned together
To the ocean shore and the village there
The road had been changed, and the people have wandered
The bells don't ring, there's no preaching there

CHORUS
Turn back, turn back, ye wayward pilgrim
Come back, come back, to the peaceful shore
Turn back, turn back, for the savior's waiting
To rescue you from the ranks of woe

My mind went back to the days of my childhood
When I went to church in the village there
The pews were full and the aisles were standing
The people who came to worship there

I'd like to go back to the days of my childhood
And go to church in the village there
To meet my friends and old acquaintance
And sing again in the village choir

CHORUS

First released on the album Let Me Rest On A Peaceful Mountain Hills Of Home, released 1975. The album was a tribute to the recently-passed Carter Stanley. The song is credited as "Arr. by Stanley," so I assume that means it's traditional.

https://www.discogs.com/Ralph-Stanley-Let-Me-Rest-On-A-Peaceful-Mountain-Hills-Of-Home/release/4387876

I transcribed the lyrics by ear from here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKmHclUtgvc

Though for people who that video is blocked for (always seems like Canadians can't access those Youtube auto-generated vidoes), see here: https://youtu.be/Qtp_ROVsfkY?t=1175

I honestly really enjoy this album as a good example of gospel bluegrass playing, and recommend anyone who enjoys music like that to listen to it.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Turn Back, Turn Back (from Ralph Stanley)
From: GUEST,cnd
Date: 22 Nov 16 - 09:01 PM

Sorry, forgot to post the link for the second video: https://youtu.be/Qtp_ROVsfkY?t=1175

Ralph Stanley got this song from the Mullins Family, "a family from Ralph's part of the world that has a rich and long history with traditional singing." The Mullins Family's version of the song, recorded around 1950, can be purchased here: http://virginiafolklife.org/folklife_recordings/the-mullins-family/

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Turn Back, Turn Back (from Ralph Stanley)
From: GUEST,cnd
Date: 22 Nov 16 - 09:02 PM

Sorry, forgot to cite my source for the quote:

http://www.thepressoffice.com/stanley.htm

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Turn Back, Turn Back (from Ralph Stanley)
From: GUEST,DC Singer
Date: 23 Dec 17 - 12:05 PM

The Mullins Family CD credits this song to having been written by Revend Enoch M. Rose of Dickinson County Virginia