ADD Versions: Eyes on the Prize / Hand on the Plow

Subject: eyes on the prize lyrics?
From: Cathy Brady
Date: 22 Feb 98 - 07:58 PM

I'm looking for the song Keep Your Eyes on the Prize. I'd like my students to sing it for a school program with a timeline of the civil rights years 1954-65. Any information about the origin of the song would also be of interest. Thanks!

Subject: RE: eyes on the prize lyrics?
From: KickyC
Date: 22 Feb 98 - 08:51 PM

Cathy, I am pretty sure that the lyrics might be in the book "Sing for Freedom, The Story of the Civil Rights Movement Through Its Songs." This is published by Sing Out and your local book store or music store should be able to get it for you. It costs about $15 and is a wonderful resource to have. It has pictures and information on the songs as well as the story of the movement itself. My copy is at school or I could check for you right now. I'll try to look tomorrow and remember to bring it home.

Chris Clark

Subject: Lyr Add: KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE
From: KickyC
Date: 24 Feb 98 - 06:17 PM

Cathy,
I was right. The song is in the book. The title is "Keep your Eyes on the Prize.” It is from and old religious song that used the words "keep your hand on the plow" and was rewritten by Alice Wine who was one of the first graduates of the voter education schools on Johns Island, South Carolina. These are the words:

Paul and Silas, bound in jail, had no money for to go their bail,
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on, hold on.

Chorus: Hold on, Hold on,
Keep your eyes on the prize,
Hold on. Hold on.

Paul and Silas begin to shout,
The jail door opened and they walked on out.
Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on, hold on.

Freedom's name is mighty sweet,
Soon one day we're gonna meet.

Got my hand on the Gospel plow,
I wouldn't take nothing for my journey now.

The only chain that a man can stand,
Is that chain of hand in hand.

The only thing we did wrong,
Stayed in the wilderness a day too long.

But the one thing we did right,
Was the day we started to fight.

We're gonna board that big Greyhound,
Carryin’ love from town to town.

We're gonna ride for civil rights,
We’re gonna ride both black and white.

We've met jail and violence too,
But God's love has seen us through.

Haven't been to heaven but I've been told,
Streets up there are paved with gold.

---

Song copyright 1965, 1965, by Alice Wine

Source: Sing For Freedom: The Story of the Civil Rights Movement through its songs, Edited and compiled by Guy and Candie Carawan, 1963 (as "We Shall Overcome"). combined with "Freedom Is a Constant Struggle" (1968) and republished by Sing Out! with the new title.

Subject: RE: eyes on the prize lyrics?
From: Bru-See
Date: 22 Feb 99 - 12:11 AM

I was looking for the song "Eyes on the Prize",but instead I found the lyrics. I'm happy that someone else found an interest in the Civil Rights Movement and its soul-gripping songs that interpreted the overall Black experience at that time. I wanted to hear the song again because it's still inspiration to Americans even today. I still would like to find information pertaining to the location of the original recording.

Sincere thanks, GSU student,Bruce Scott Jr.

Subject: RE: eyes on the prize lyrics?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 Feb 99 - 01:05 AM

Bruce, Smithsonian Folkways has a companion CD to the songbook KickyC quoted from, Sing For Freedom: The Story Of The Civil Rights Movement Through Its Songs, and it's available from Amazon (click for a sample) and the usual suppliers. The CD has recordings of "Eyes on the Prize" and also the original form of the song, "Keep Your Hand on the Plow." This is what the songbook says about the song:

This is a song that has been through every chapter of the civil rights movement. The words "keep your eyes on the prize" (replacing the more common "keep your hand on the plow") came from Alice Wine, one of the first proud products of voter education schools - on Johns Island, South Carolina in 1956.
The song had meaning for the sit-in students who were the first to be 'bound in jail' for long periods of time. It went with the Freedowm Riders to Jackson and into Parchman, and on to Albany and all of the many other areas of struggle.

The original song is also known as "Hold On." Here's a quote about that song from a book called Ev'ry time I Feel the Spirit, by Gwendolyn Sims Warren:

Struggling with the tribulations and hardships of slave existence, believers needed the encouragement of others not to give up but to hold on. As a later gospel song says, "Hold to God's unchanging hand" - trust in His deliverance, keep pressing on. this exhortation is based on Luke 9:62, which says, "anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God." Aother scripture, 1 Corinthians 9:10, says that those who plow should do so in hope.
"Hold On" imaginatively uses its imagery to hearten, exhort, and teach the message of the scriptures...The song's chorus talks to the whole slave community, from brothers and mothers to deacons and preachers. All must watch their step and hold on to the great gospel plow. The plow and track are interesting images because they related not only to the scriptural passages at the heart of "Hold On," but also to ordinary, everyday activities.

St. Paul talks about working toward a prize in Philippians 3:14 and 1 Corinthians 9:24, so the substitution of "prize" for "plow" seems to fit into the scriptural imagery of the song. The verses are flexible, many the same as those found in many other spirituals, plugged in wherever they fit.
It sure is a beautiful song, isn't it?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: eyes on the prize lyrics?
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Feb 99 - 05:52 AM

Cathy...Noble endeavour, I wish you the best.

Why does your timeline end at 1965? Obviously you have to draw a line describing the most influential period, but I might suggest adding a few years as many of the legislative changes went into effect...say Dr. King's murder in '68. I dunno'...turbulent times, and music was a significant part of it all. I think many of the generation believed that you could end war and poverty and racism if you just sang loud enough...

We just didn't sing long enough.

catspaw

Subject: RE: eyes on the prize lyrics?
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 22 Feb 99 - 06:12 AM

"Hands on the Plow" is in the DT with a midi of the melody, just click here.

Roger in Baltimore

Subject: RE: eyes on the prize lyrics?
From: stephanie harvey
Date: 30 Jul 99 - 05:46 PM

I LOVE THE SONG KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE IJUST I COULD HAVE A COPY OF THE WORDS

Subject: RE: eyes on the prize lyrics?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 30 Jul 99 - 06:50 PM

I guess we get a little wordy, and the important stuff can get lost. Stephanie - the lyrics are up above - third message from the top.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: eyes on the prize lyrics?
From: GUEST,cynthia lavinthal
Date: 06 Dec 01 - 05:52 PM

I am so happy to find the origin of the quote "Eyes on the Prize" - I have been using it in the classroom for years as a motivational saying, and I am glad to hear its proud roots.

Subject: RE: eyes on the prize lyrics?
From: GUEST,Shanna Smith
Date: 15 Jan 02 - 02:53 PM

Hello I am doing National History Day project with my partner and we would like to have the song "keep your eyes on the prize" in our presentation. I would like to know who the song is originally sang by. PLEASE HELP!!!

Subject: RE: eyes on the prize lyrics?
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Jan 02 - 03:01 PM

First to sing it? Hard to say, but read Joe Offer's post above relating to the changes to adapt to the CR movement....

This is a song that has been through every chapter of the civil rights movement. The words "keep your eyes on the prize" (replacing the more common "keep your hand on the plow") came from Alice Wine, one of the first proud products of voter education schools - on Johns Island, South Carolina in 1956. The song had meaning for the sit-in students who were the first to be 'bound in jail' for long periods of time. It went with the Freedowm Riders to Jackson and into Parchman, and on to Albany and all of the many other areas of struggle.

Spaw

Subject: RE: eyes on the prize lyrics?
From: breezy
Date: 15 Jan 02 - 03:46 PM

Did Pete seeger record it on his Carnegie Hall album '63 June 8th.yes he did. And I've got a pristine copy.

Subject: RE: eyes on the prize !!!
From: GUEST,JAM
Date: 27 Mar 02 - 09:39 AM

Check out Spike Lee's documentary called "4 Little Girls" which is mainly about the Baptist Church bombing in 1963. The song appears in the movie and it is very powerful. It caught my attention right away. I wanted to cry.

Subject: RE: eyes on the prize lyrics?
From: GUEST,Kathy
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 02:56 AM

Cathy, I just came across your post regarding Keep Your Hand On The Plow ( I've been looking for written lyrics for over a year) Anyway you asked about the origins. I don't know too much about it but you can hear a fabulous rendition of it on the album: Mahalia Jackson: Live At Newport 1958. She does that number with Duke Ellington and his orchestra. The album is Columbia Jazz Masterpieces. You should be able to get it from something like BMG Jazz Club or order it from a good musc store. Hope this helps.

Subject: RE: eyes on the prize lyrics?
From: Amos
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 04:31 AM

Frank Warner also recorded a version of this song on the Elektra label in the early 60's.

A

Subject: Lyr Add: KEEP YO' HAND ON THE GOSPEL PLOW
From: masato sakurai
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 05:47 AM

Newman I. White recorded "Keep yo' hand on the gospel plow" in his American Negro Folk-Songs ((1928; reprint ed., [1964?], p. 115; no title is given; text only). It was "reported from Durham, N.C., 1925, MS. of N.I. White. From Creedmore, N.C., as sung by Ed Lloyd, who says there are several stanzas."

Keep yo' hand on the gospel plow,
Wouldn't take nothin' for my journey now, Holy Ghost.

Chorus
Keep yo' hand on the gospel plow,
Hold on, hold on,
Keep yo' hand on the gospel plow,
Hold on.

Didn't come here for to stay always,
Just come here to fill my place.

I got a mother in the promised land,
Never shall rest till I shake her hand.

Earlier, Cecil J. Sharp recorded a version, which was "sung by girls at Oneida School, Ky., Aug. 18, 1917." (English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, 1932, vol. 2, p. 292; with music). Notes (by Karpeles?) say "This ... is a 'Holiness' hymn. It is evidently influenced by negro spiritulas." (p. 412)

HOLD ON

1. Some of these days about four o'clock,
This old world's going to reel and rock.
Keep your hand, keep your hand to the plough, hold on,
Hold on, hold on,
Keep your hand to the plough, hold on.

2. Some of these days, but I don't know when,
This old world's going to end.

3. Go away, satan, let me be,
You fooled my brother, but you can't fool me.

4. Satan wears a sinful shoe,
If you don't mind he'll slip it on you.

5. Some of these mornings at the rising sun,
O God's going to stop your lying tongue.

6. Hain't been to heaven, but I've been told
That the streets are pearl and the gates are gold.

7. When I get to heaven I'm going to sit down,
Wear a white robe and a starry crown.

8. I'm going to heaven and I hain't a-going to stop,
There hain't going to be no stumbling-block.

This song has been recorded by the Pilgrim Tavelers, Clara Ward Singers, Pete Seeger, Golden Gate Quartet, Mahalia Jackson, Sounds of Blackness. The title "Hold On" seems to be more common; another title is "The Gospel Plow" (by the Nashville Bluegrass Band).

~Masato

Subject: RE: eyes on the prize lyrics?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 14 Apr 02 - 06:41 AM

I have it on my oldest album, "We shall overcome" Pete Seeger.......Giok

Subject: RE: eyes on the prize lyrics?
From:
Date: 14 Jun 02 - 03:45 PM

Is Alice Wine the copyright holder of Eyes on the Prize?

Subject: RE: eyes on the prize lyrics?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 15 Jun 02 - 04:18 PM

Good question, Lisa. I checked the source and added it to the post above. Yes, the book Sing For Freedom says it was copyrighted by Alice Wine in 1963 and 1965.

Trouble is, if you go to www.bmi.com and check "keep your eyes on the prize," "eye on the prize," and "eyes on the prize," you'll see that there is a maze of copyright claims. So, does anybody deserve to receive royalties?

-Joe Offer (e-mail sent)-

Subject: RE: eyes on the prize lyrics?
From:
Date: 13 Oct 02 - 09:29 PM

hey I was just wondering
when was this song written and where it was written..and also why...I'm doing a project for school and I had to find this information and I hope that you can help me...thank you
cathy

Subject: RE: eyes on the prize lyrics?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Oct 02 - 10:53 PM

Hi - you stumbled across a very comprehensive history of the song. It may take you some time to read it, but it tells the whole story.
Please take another look.
If you have any questions once you've read the thread, please post them in that same thread, in the "reply" box.
Good luck to you.
-Joe Offer- (also sent by e-mail)

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: eyes on the prize
From: GUEST,Coyote
Date: 28 Jan 03 - 03:49 AM

Another verse as sung by Rev. James Orange at a Jobs With Justice conference "jordon river is deep and wide, gonna get our freedom right here on this side, keep your eyes on the prize, hold on"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: eyes on the prize
From: GUEST,Dave Schipper
Date: 15 Sep 04 - 10:52 PM

Check out the version on the Global Songs 2 Bread for the Journey www.bfjmusic.com

Subject: Keep Your Hand on that Plow Lyrics
From: GUEST,Kayla
Date: 18 Feb 05 - 01:15 PM

HELP! Geez...I've been looking FOREVER for those lyrics for keep your hand on that plow. I'm in chorus and I really need to study them...does anyone have the lyrics for it?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: eyes on the prize
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Feb 05 - 02:54 AM

Hi, Kayla - I think we've covered all the versions of the song quite well in the messages above. I suppose the one titled "Hold On" above is the most common.
-Joe Offer-

---

Here's the entry from the Traditional Ballad Index:

Keep Your Hand on the Plow

DESCRIPTION: Various events from scripture intended to encourage the troubled: Paul and Silas in jail, Jesus washing the disciples feet, Mary's chain. Chorus: "Hold on, hold on, Keep your hand on the plow, hold on."
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1917 (Cecil Sharp collection)
KEYWORDS: Bible religious prison
FOUND IN: US(Ap)
REFERENCES (7 citations):
Lomax/Lomax-FolkSongUSA 111, "Keep Your Hand on the Plow" (1 text, 1 tune, plus the modern parody "United Nations Make a Chain")
Lomax/Lomax-OurSingingCountry, pp. 44-45, "Keep Your Hands on that Plow" (1 text, 1 tune)
Sharp-EnglishFolkSongsFromSouthernAppalachians 209, "Hold On" (1 text, 1 tune)
Warren-EveryTimeIFeelTheSpirit, pp. 54-55, "Hold On" (1 text, 1 tune)
Cray-AshGrove, pp. 38-39, "Hold On" (1 text, 1 tune)
Silber/Silber-FolksingersWordbook, p. 362, "Hold On" (1 text)
DT, HANDPLOW*
Roud #10075
RECORDINGS:
Hall Johnson Negro Choir, "Keep Yo' Hand on the Plow, Hold On" (Victor 36020, 1930)
Montgomery Improvement Association High School Trio, "Keep Your Hand On That Plow" (on SingFreeCD). (Note: though this is a civil rights movement adaptation of the song, it has not yet metamorphosed into "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize," so it is indexed here. -PJS)
Pete Seeger with Memphis Slim, Willie Dixon, Big Bill Broonzy, Bill McAdoo, "Hold On" (on PeteSeeger15)
Pete Seeger, "Hold On" (on Selma) (on PeteSeeger44) (on PeteSeeger48) (on PeteSeeger27)
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "Oh, Mary, Don't You Weep" (floating lyrics)
cf. "Keep Your Hand upon the Chariot"
cf. "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize" (song from the civil rights movement, adapted from "Keep Your Hand on the Plow")
SAME TUNE:
Keep Your Eyes on the Prize (RECORDING: Charles Jones & Cordell Reagon, on SingFreeCD; RECORDING: Unidentified singers, on SingFreeCD)
NOTES [30 words]: Paul and Silas's stay in prison is related in Acts 16:19-40. The footwashing is described in John 13:1-11. Mary's chain is apocryphal, perhaps a free extrapolation on Luke 2:35. - RBW
Last updated in version 4.3
File: LxU111

---

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The Ballad Index Copyright 2023 by Robert B. Waltz and David G. Engle.

Subject: Lyr Add: HOLD ON
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Feb 05 - 03:43 AM

Here's the version from Silber & Silver, Folksinger's WordBook:

Hold On

        Em
  Mary wore three links of chain,
                  Am7    Em
  Every link was Jesus' name.
                                B7 Em
  Keep your hand on that plow, hold on.
  
  Chorus:
  B7            Em
  Hold on, hold on,
                                B7 Em
  Keep your hand on that plow, hold on.
  
  God gave Noah the rainbow sign,
  No more water but fire next time, etc.
  
  Paul and Silas bound in jail,
  Had no money for to go their bail, etc.
  
  The very moment I thought I was lost,
  The dungeon shook and the chains fell off, etc.
  
  Paul and Silas began to shout,
  Jail doors opened and they walked out, etc.
  
  Peter was so nice and neat,
  Wouldn't let Jesus wash his feet, etc.
  
  Got my hands on the gospel plow,
  Wouldn't take nothin' for my journey now, etc.

Subject: Lyr Add: KEEP YOUR HAND ON THE PLOW
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Feb 05 - 03:53 AM

The version in the Digital Tradition is "Keep Your Hands on the Plow" from Our Singing Country, Lomax. The version from Folk Song USA is very similar to the DT/Lomax version, but I guess I might as well post it.

Keep Your Hand on the Plow

Mary wo' three links of chain,
Ev'ry link was Jesus name.
Keep your hand on the plow,
Hold on.

CHORUS:
Hold on,
Hold on,
Keep your hand on the plow,
Hold on.

Paul and Silas bound in jail,
Had nobody for to go their bail,
Keep your hands on the plow,
Hold on.

Paul and Silas begin to shout,
Jail doors opened and they walked out,
Keep your hands on the plow,
Hold on.

Peter was so nice and neat,
Wouldn't let Jesus wash his feet,
Keep your hind on the plow,
Hold on.

Jesus said, "If I wash them not,
You'll have no father in this lot."
Keep your hands on the plow,
Hold on.

Peter got anxious and he said,
"Wash my feet, my hands and head:"
Keep your hands on the plow,
Hold on.

Got my hands on the gospel plow,
Wouldn't take nothin' for my journey now,
Keep your hands on the plow
Hold on.

This one switches back and forth between "hand" and "hands." Don't think I can imagine one-handed ploughing - unless you have John Deere to help.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: eyes on the prize
From: GUEST,L in Scotland
Date: 25 Feb 05 - 09:40 AM

just to add a further dimension. I'm British, born in england and brought up in Scotland, and I sing this song too (not professional!). My parents worked in social policy research at Bryn Mawr in the 1960s just before I was born and so I grew up with the Carnegie Hall LP by Pete Seeger.

at the moment a friend is in deepest of deep trouble and I found this site when I was looking for the complete lyrics to email to him.

The song grew out of the civil rights movement, but is a source of strength and inspiration even to people like me who are non-believers.

Besides, singing anything that you can belt out at full-pitch helps to make your mood improve so you feel more able and stronger. I hope my friend is going to sing this until he can see the prize more clearly and find his way out from his troubles.

L

Subject: RE: Req/Add: eyes on the prize / hand on the plow
From: Pauline L
Date: 25 Feb 05 - 12:20 PM

Guest,L in Scotland, we are kindred spirits. I grew up with that album, too, and I, too, have found that song to be an inspiration many times over the years. It is especially helpful to me for hard times that last for months or years, and that's where I am now.

Subject: RE: Req/Add: eyes on the prize / hand on the plow
From: GUEST,Tayo Aluko, Liverpool
Date: 27 Mar 05 - 01:27 PM

Just been looking for the civil rights version of the lyrics, and found them thanks to you all. I will be performing this in Liverpool, UK on 25 April 2005. Liverpool was the UK capital of the slave trade, and there is a lecture about contemporary slavery given by the director of Anti-Slavery International. This is part of a series of lectures run by the foundation for citizinship, run by Lord Alton, a Liverpool member of the House of Lords. See www.livjm.ac.uk/citizen although the site is not exactly up to date. I've been asked to sing, being a locally known baritone, born in Nigeria, to where thousands of ships sailed from Liverpool....It will form part of my repertoire from now on.

Subject: RE: Req/Add: eyes on the prize / hand on the plow
From: wysiwyg
Date: 27 Mar 05 - 02:08 PM

Tayo, thanks for telling us about this.

You might also be interested in these threads:

African-American Spirituals Permathread and Missing Spirituals

A topic of great interest of late here at Mudcat has been differences between US/UK slavery and racism, historically and culturally. So if there is anything you are able to share, it would be welcome.

Welcome to Mudcat! If you join, people can exchange private messages with you as well as discuss in threads.

Hope you have a great experience in your upcoming event!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Req/Add: eyes on the prize / hand on the plow
From: GUEST,Azizi
Date: 14 May 05 - 07:26 PM

"Keep Your Eyes On The Prize" {Hold On}is an open ended song to which additional verses can be added or substituted for the verses that are lsited above.

When I was a member of the youth group of the NAACP {National Association for the Advancement of Colored People} in Atlantic City, New Jersey {early 1960s}I remember singing:

Paul and Silas bound in jail
with no money to forego their bail
Keep your eyes on the prize
and hold on.

I also remember this verse:

God sent Noah the rainbow sign
Won't be water but fire next time
Keep your eyee etc.

-snip-

I also remember these two verse:

One and one they make two
tell you what I'm gonna do
Keep your eyes etc.

-snip-

Here's another verse that I remember:

When I get to heaven
Gonna sing and shout
Ain't nobody gonna keep me out {or 'put me out'}
Keep your eyes etc.

-snip-

Can anyone else remember or create any more verses for this song?

Subject: RE: Req/Add: eyes on the prize / hand on the plow
From: GUEST,GillesG.
Date: 29 Jun 06 - 06:49 AM

i read all your messages about this "keep Your eyes on the prize/keep your hands on the plot"

I am not an english speaking person so i tried to note the lyrics after the version of the CD "hard travelling" from pete seeger (the title on the cover is "hold on")

i heard this:

oah noah let me come in
doors are locked and the wind got in
Keep your hand on that plow, hold on
Oh Lord, Oh Lord, keep your hand on that plow, hold on.

Mary wore three links of chain
Every link was Jesus name
Keep your hand on that plow, hold on
Oh Lord, Oh Lord, keep your hand on that plow, hold on.

God gave Noah the rainbow sign
No more water but fire next time
Keep your hand on that plow, hold on
Oh Lord, Oh Lord, keep your hand on that plow, hold on.

United nations make a chain
every link is Peter's name
Keep your hand on that plow, hold on
Oh Lord, Oh Lord, keep your hand on that plow, hold on.

freedom's name is mighty sweet
it can quite park on our knee??
Keep your hand on that plow, hold on
Oh Lord, Oh Lord, keep your hand on that plow, hold on.

Many Good Men have fought and died
So we could be here side by side
Keep your hand on that plow, hold on
Oh Lord, Oh Lord, keep your hand on that plow, hold on.

Freedom's name is mighty sweet
it can quite park on our knee??
Keep your hand on that plow, hold on
Oh Lord, Oh Lord, keep your hand on that plow, hold on.

Keep your hand on the gospel plow
Iwouldn't take nothing from my journey now
Keep your hand on that plow, hold on
Oh Lord, Oh Lord, keep your hand on that plow, hold on.

i am not quite sure of the sentence with an interrogation mark(can someone help me?)
but i hope this will help. If it is false correct me