Lyr Req: Reign, Master [Massa] Jesus, Reign

Subject: Lyr Req: Reigh, Master [Massa] Jesus, Reign
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 03:56 PM

HEAR A CLIP by the Fisk University Jubilee Singers on the Document reissue CD, "Vol. 2-Fisk University Jubilee."

Published in these songbooks:

<> Jubilee and plantation songs (Reign, master Jesus)
<. Fenner, Religious folk songs of the Negro
<> Dett, Religious folk-songs of the Negro

Partial lyric, from the clip, below.

~S~

===================================================

REIGN, MASSA JESUS!
Traditional Negro Spiritual

REFRAIN
Oh, reign, oh reign, oh, reign Massa Jesus,
Reign, Massa Jesus, reign.
Oh, bring salvation to my soul--
Reign, Massa Jesus, reign.

VERSE
One day as I was walking along
(Reign, Massa Jesus, reign.)
I thought I heard an angel call.
(Reign, Massa Jesus, reign.)


SH

@spiritual

The title(s) above has been entered for indexing in the AFRICAN-AMERICAN SPIRITUALS PERMATHREAD.

If songs with new TITLES are added to this thread, please take a moment to post that title and this thread's ID number (or full URL) in the AFRICAN-AMERICAN SPIRITUALS PERMATHREAD, so it can be included when the index is updated. Thanks! ~S~

Subject: Lyr Add: REIGN, MASSA JESUS
From: masato sakurai
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 08:40 PM

From Religious Folk Songs of the Negro, new edition (1920; rpt. AMS, 1973, p. 175):

REIGN, MASSA JESUS

Chorus:
O reign, O reign, O reign, my Saviour,
Reign, Massa Jesus, reign.
O reign salvation in my soul,
Reign, Massa Jesus, reign.

Solo:
1. I never shall forget that day,
(Chorus: Reign, Massa Jesus, reign.)
When Jesus washed my sins away,
(Chorus: Reign, Massa Jesus, reign.)

2. I look'd at my hands and my hands look'd new,
I look'd at my feet and they look'd so too,

3. I never felt such love before,
Saying, "Go in peace and sin no more,"

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Reigh, Master [Massa] Jesus, Reign
From: wysiwyg
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 08:44 PM

Thanks! I recognize the first two verses as familiar floaters, but #3 is a new one on me-- at least as a possible floater.

~S~

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Reigh, Master [Massa] Jesus, Reign
From: Azizi
Date: 23 Mar 05 - 11:09 PM

I remember reading but-I don't know where-that enslved African Americans made a parody out of this song, singing "Rain, Why Don't It Rain" or something like that..

Actually I've believe I read this in reference to African Ameican secular songs being considered "devil songs". Maybe it was in Dana Epstein's book on this subject or Talley's "Negro Folk Rhymes"...

****

I recall the 2nd verse:
"I looked at my hands and they looked new
I looked at my feet and they did too..."

But it wasn't sung with 'Reign Jesus Reign'. As to which song it was part of-maybe it was 'Give me That Ole Time Religion', but I'm not sure.

'Reign Jesus Reign' and the rest of the lyrics given are only familiar to me because I read about this song in some book or books about slave culture. [???] It was not one of the songs we sung in my African American church during my childhood and youth and I haven't heard it sung as an adult.

This song isn't included on any recording of older Black spirituals that I have either.

I would appreciate any information on the use of this song as a parody.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Reign, Master [Massa] Jesus, Reign
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Mar 05 - 03:44 PM

Any more lyrics, anyone? (Trad or your new ones in the pattern above.)

I'd like to use this one Saturday night. Masato, do you have a tune for this, especially the verses?

~S~

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Reign, Master [Massa] Jesus, Reign
From: Azizi
Date: 30 Mar 05 - 10:54 PM

I found this version in Thomas W. Talley's "Negro Folk Rhymes" {Kennikat Press edition, 1968, p. 122 ; originally published in 1922}

"Parody On "Reign, Master Jesus, Reign"

Oh rain! Oh rain! Oh rain! "good" Mosser!
Rain, Mosser, rain! Rain hard!
Rain flour an' lard an' a big hog head
Down in my back yard.

An' w'en you comes down to my cabin,
Come down by de corn fiel'..
If you cain't bring me a piece o' meat
Den bring me a peck o' meal.

Oh rain! Oh rain! Oh rain! "good" Mosser!
Dat good rain gives mo rest.
"What d'you say? You N--g, dar!"-
"Wet ground grows grass best.

end of quote

"Mosser=Master"
"peck of meal=corn meal
"N--g" = you know what

This is another secular slave song about food,
since the food rations were reported to have been less than adequate {to say the least}..

Azizi

Subject: Add: Reign, Master [Massa] Jesus, Reign PARODY
From: wysiwyg
Date: 30 Mar 05 - 11:04 PM

Well.... I guess I can't sing that this weekend.... thanks for sharing it, though! Does your book give a title?

~Susan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Reign, Master [Massa] Jesus, Reign
From: Azizi
Date: 30 Mar 05 - 11:14 PM

Susan, "Parody On "Reign, Master Jesus, Reign" was given as the title in Talley's "Negro Folk Rhymes" book.

Azizi

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Reign, Master [Massa] Jesus, Reign
From: wysiwyg
Date: 31 Mar 05 - 08:38 AM

OK, thanks.

~S~

Subject: Add:
From: wysiwyg
Date: 31 Mar 05 - 10:26 AM

I wanted a lyric that would better reflect an Anglican theology and experience of salvation, and I wanted to clear up the confusion about reign/rain in the refrain. Our congregation also does not have a base of reference for "Massa" or even, really, "Master" as a relationship and form of address. So I put the focus on Jesus' kingship, it being immediately after Easter Sunday. So here's what I'm planning for Saturday night. It's a more extreme re-write than I normally do, but I think it's going to work for us. I won't be including this version in the spirituals index, because it isn't one, really, any more.

~S~

===============================================================

REIGN, KING JESUS, REIGN!
Based on a traditional Negro Spiritual originally titled "Reign, Massa Jesus, Reign." Learned from the singing of the Fisk University Jubilee Singers, Document CD, "Vol. 2-Fisk University Jubilee." Adapted, edited, and arranged for The Good News-Goodtime Band (C) 2005 by Susan O. Hinton.


REFRAIN

Oh, reign, oh reign, oh, reign King Jesus.
Reign, King Jesus, reign!
Oh, reign forever in my soul-
Reign, King Jesus, reign!

1. Born so low, to come to earth;
(Reign, King Jesus, reign!)
Pow'r of God in Virgin birth.
(Reign, King Jesus, reign!)

2. King on the sea of Galilee;
(Reign, King Jesus, reign!)
King at the cross, on Calvary.
(Reign, King Jesus, reign!)

3. I never shall forget that day,
(Reign, King Jesus, reign!)
When Jesus washed my sins away.
(Reign, King Jesus, reign!)

4. I never felt such love before,
(Reign, King Jesus, reign!)
Said, "Go in peace and sin no more."
(Reign, King Jesus, reign!)

5. Lord of lords and King of kings,
(Reign, King Jesus, reign!)
King in the peace His mercy brings,
(Reign, King Jesus, reign!)

SH

Subject: Add: I'm Satisfied (GVB version)
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Mar 12 - 01:37 PM

We're working on this one and attributing it as indicated unless I hear differently. I'm editing it now off someone else's posted transcribed lyric elsewhere.

~S~

We learned this from the singing of the Gaither Vocal Band. It was also sung in Southern Baptist churches in the 50's and 60's, but it is based on a "floating" or "zipper" verse used in old African American Spirituals.


I'M SATISFIED
http://www.namethathymn.com/hymn-lyrics-detective-forum/index.php?a=vtopic&t=2505

CHO:

I'm satisfied, I'm satisfied!
Said He would be my comfort,
Said he would be My guide, well--
I looked at my hands, my hands looked new!
I looked at my feet and they did too!
Ever since that wonderful day,
My soul's been satisfied.


1. Well the Lord moves in mysterious ways
His wonders to perform
You know He plants His feet on every step
and then He rides on every storm
well he fixed my feet for running boys
Then my eyes were opened wide
He fixed my tongue so I could say
"Praise God, I'm satisfied



2. Well I was way down yonder in the valley boy's
I was all alone
And it was there that I met my Jesus, well
You know He claimed for his own
And then He put His arms all around me there
And then He drew me up to His side,
Oh yes I'm satisfied


SH

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Reign, Master [Massa] Jesus, Reign
From: wysiwyg
Date: 05 Mar 12 - 01:39 PM

GVB video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pWt4VUTFoo

~S~

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Reign, Master [Massa] Jesus, Reign
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 10 Mar 12 - 02:28 PM

Lyr. Add: REIGN, MASTER JESUS

Oh, reign, Oh, reign,
Oh, reign, my Saviour,
Reign master Jesus, reign!
Oh, reign salvation in my poor soul,
Reign, master Jesus, reign!

1
I tell you now as I told you before,
Reign, master Jesus, reign,
To the promised land I'm bound to go,
Reign, master Jesus, reign.

Oh, reign, Oh, reign,
Oh, reign, my Saviour,
Reign, master Jesus, reign!
Oh, reign salvation in my poor soul,
Reign, master Jesus, reign.

2
I'll tell you how I sought the Lord,
Reign, master Jesus, reign,
Pray'd a little by day and all night long,
Reign, master Jesus, reign.
3
I never shall forget that day,
Reign, master Jesus, reign,
When Jesus washed my sins away,
Reign, master Jesus, reign.
4
I look'd at my hands and my hands look'd new,
Reign, master Jesus, reign,
I look'd at my feet and they look'd so too,
Reign, master Jesus, reign.
5
I never felt such love before,
Reign, master Jesus, reign,
Saying go in peace and sin no more,
Reign, master Jesus, reign.

With musical score, pp. 36-37.

Anon., 1887, Jubilee and Plantation Songs. Characteristic Favorites As sung by the Hampton Students, Jubilee Singers, Fisk University Students, and other Concert Companies. Boston, Oliver Ditson Company, copyright 1887.

Subject: ADD: Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down
From: GUEST, diplocase
Date: 31 Aug 12 - 09:00 PM

this song isn't related to Reign Master except by its message. It lends itself to adding spontaneous verses (work, fight, sing). Available in a stark voice-and-banjo version from the singing of Frank Proffitt on High Atmosphere: Songs and Banjo Tunes from Virginia and North Carolina. Available on iTunes.

SATAN, YOUR KINGDOM MUST COME DOWN

Satan, your kingdom must come down (2x)
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
Satan, your kingdom must come down.

I'm gonna pray til I tear your kingdom down, kingdom down
Pray til I tear your kingdom down
I heard the voice of Jesus say,
"Satan, your kingdom must come down."

I will shout til I tear your kingdom down
Shout til I tear your kingdom down
I heard the voice of Jesus say
"Satan, your kingdom must come down."