ADD: Surely I Will, Lord (Albert E. Brumley)

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ADD: Surely I Will, Lord (Albert E. Brumley)

28 Nov 04 - 03:26 PM (#1341320)
Subject: Lyr Req: Iris DeMent - Surely I Will
From: GUEST,rasa

Tune by Iris that seems like it may have come from a hymn. Only have heard it performed once, can't find it in her material. Short of asking her, which I may, I though someone here might be familiar with it. I am just missing a few of the heavily accented words in second part of the first verse. Joe?
I've begun going thru old hymnals and indexes to try and find it's possible origin also to see about wording. Please - no tangents on Iris - it's a great song. Any help would be appreciated.

rasa

29 Nov 04 - 12:00 AM (#1341669)
Subject: ADD: Surely I Will, Lord (Albert E. Brumley)
From: Joe Offer

Hi, Rasa - Apparently, it was one of the songs planned for her current gospel album, Lifeline, but it didn't make it on the final cut (I don't have the album - yet - but I will). It's an old one, written by Albert E. Brumley, who wrote "I'll Fly Away" and "Turn Your Radio On."
Iris DeMent did the song on A Prairie Home Companion in November, 2002. You can listen to her sing the song here (click). She said she changed the song a bit.
-Joe Offer-

Surely I Will, Lord
(Albert E. Brumley)
(copyright Stamps-Baxter, 1956)

If working and praying has any reward,
Then surely some morning, I'll meet my dear Lord;
With God as my pilot, I'll climb the high hill,
If anyone makes it, then surely I will.

CHORUS
Surely I will, Lord; surely I will.
If anyone makes it, precious Lord,
Then surely I will.
I am bound for Mount Zion,
Far away on the hill,
If anyone makes it, (all the way home) then surely I will.

With faith as my weapon and hope as my stay,
The battle's half over, I'm well on my way;
Though I may grow weary, I'm traveling still,
If anyone makes it, then surely I will.
CHORUS

from the songbook The Best of Albert E. Brumley, Albert E. Brumley & Sons, 1966

Here's how I hear Iris:

and faith as my sword

29 Nov 04 - 12:13 AM (#1341682)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Iris DeMent - Surely I Will
From: GUEST,rasa

Thank you so much Joe. I had a feeling you would know. I managed to get that 2002 PHC performance down on tape, but was struggling to decipher
'pilot' line.
rasa

29 Nov 04 - 12:22 AM (#1341687)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Iris DeMent - Surely I Will
From: Joe Offer

Rasa, note that I used my magic edit button to add the version Iris does (as I hear it), and I changed a few words in the Brumley version after reviewing the lyrics (see above).
Don't tell my wife, but I've been in love with Iris since Infamous Angel came out in 1992. She's done four CD's of her own, but she had performed traditional songs on a number of other recordings - and often I prefer the traditional songs to the ones she's written. Her Let the Mystery Be is a near-perfect song in my book, though.
-Joe Offer-

29 Nov 04 - 12:44 AM (#1341700)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Iris DeMent - Surely I Will
From: GUEST,rasa

thanks again, Joe.
least you think me a lowly song pirate, I heard the song on that show, and due to fate, my PR station replays the next day, so I grabbed it for research purposes.. I am glad to have the credits and music source in full, and will now be able to take it out of the woodshed!
Iris is quite amazing, to say the least. I've been listening to her music for many years also.
glad someone has an edit button - wish I did sometimes!
rasa

30 Nov 04 - 12:52 AM (#1342873)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Iris DeMent - Surely I Will
From: open mike

NOW THAT YUO'VE GOT YOUR SONG...CAN WE BEND THIS RULE A BIT?
"Please - no tangents on Iris - it's a great song."
you can find more about her current gospel album, Lifeline
here on her web page. http://www.irisdement.com/
if you are in colorado or Virginia, she is coming your way!
interesting to note that she has her own label now:
Iris Dement, one of the most celebrated country-folk performers of our day, returns with her first album in 8 years. "Life Line", Iris Dement's first release on her own FlariElla Records, springs from memories of her youth—-time spent singing gospel as a young child. Containing twelve standards and one brand-new original, "LifeLine" is gospel music sung with amazing conviction and passion from one of the extraordinary voices of our era. While "LifeLine's" emphasis may be on traditional gospel standards, the focus, as on all of Iris' albums, is her pure, evocative vocal style. Longtime fans will recognize the unmistakable voice they have loved through the years.

30 Nov 04 - 11:38 AM (#1343293)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Iris DeMent - Surely I Will
From: wysiwyg

Since she did it in Bflat, I can just about catch the arrangement on the autoharp. I'm hearing Bb, Eb, a C and F with C7 and F7....... not in that order but I think that's what they'll be....

~S~

30 Nov 04 - 12:17 PM (#1343332)
Subject: Surely We Will, Lord
From: wysiwyg

Here's the lyric as we'll do it. In worship it begs for an additional verse and I rearranged the existing text a bit as well as changing its emphasis. I'm glad Iris ain't afraid of the Song Police, and I ain't either.

~S~

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

If working and praying has any reward,
Then surely some morning, we'll meet our dear Lord;
Though life may grow weary, we're traveling still,
And if anyone makes it, then surely we will.

REFRAIN:
Surely we will, Lord; surely we will.
If anyone makes it, all the way home,
Then surely we will.
We're bound for Mount Zion,
Up on that hill,
And if anyone makes it, then surely we will.

With faith as our weapon and hope as our stay,
The battle's half over, we're well on the way;
With Jesus as pilot, we'll climb the high hill,
If anyone makes it, then surely we will.

Keep traveling upwards, we've not far to go,
The cost of this journey was paid long ago.
And soon, at the banquet, of love drink our fill—
Yes if anyone makes it, then surely we will.

SH

30 Nov 04 - 06:47 PM (#1343731)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Iris DeMent - Surely I Will (Brumley)
From: GUEST,rasa

WYSIWYG - Don't forget the Gm, D, and that Bb7(verse to chorus)! I'm on a mandolin, but move around to get the voicings of those great Iris piano chords.
and openmike - Thanks, and by all means, let everyone know about the latest CD. And I actually had my song, just missing a few very Kansas pronounced words. There is nothing like a rich Kansas accent. I spent some time there and obviously still haven't got all the deciphering skills down. I had done a search on something Iris's (or maybe to get her website??) previously and came across some threads which got down on her a bit, hence my request. She is surely a treasure, whether all like her or not. Thank you all for your kind help. If and when I find Brumley's inspiration or source I'll report in. Meanwhile I continue ploughing thru centuries of hymns and their variations to clarify and answer some of my own questions about early country and gospel.

rasa

30 Nov 04 - 08:50 PM (#1343834)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Iris DeMent - Surely I Will (Brumley)
From: wysiwyg

rasa, don't forget to keep sharing-- our band does this sort of material weekly in worship, so we'll use it I am sure!

~S~

11 Jan 08 - 12:40 PM (#2234003)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Iris DeMent - Surely I Will (Brumley)
From: GUEST,Truman Keesey

I heard a song on black gospel radio by female, with lyrics, "If anybody makes it surely I will" in late 60's or 70's. It is not in the internet except in this page.

I heard it again and again, black female. Could be the same song. Popular in its day. Somebody into black gospel should be able to answer who it was sang it, which would lead to finding out the provenance.

Truman Keesey

22 Jun 08 - 02:38 AM (#2371740)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Surely I Will, Lord (Albert E. Brumley)
From: GUEST

I HEARD THAT SONG WHEN i WAS A CHILD...MY VERSION IS SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT...

Well, I started on this journey, long time ago
So many things were calling me, but I promised the Lord I'll go
With me sword and my shield, I'm gonna stay on the battlefield
And If anybody makes it...surely I will
Lord, surely I will...you know I will
And if anybody makes it surely I will
If the preacher makes it...surely I will
If the deacons makes it...surely I will
You know I'm bound for Mt. Zion
Way out on the hill, and if anybody makes, surely I will

15 Aug 10 - 08:54 AM (#2965608)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Surely I Will, Lord (Albert E. Brumley)
From: GUEST

I heard an old quartet group do this. The group was called the Keystone Quartet, this was the early 70's. I have recently tried to find info on them and found nothing. love the song.

15 Aug 10 - 10:16 AM (#2965647)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Surely I Will, Lord (Albert E. Brumley)
From: GUEST,Kim Berry

Dear Guest,

I noticed on an earlier thread that you are good friends with Howard Broadbent. Howard was a good friend of my fathers (Jimmy Berry) and I am trying to contact Howard. I have been told he has moved recently. Can you help put me in touch with him?

Thanks

18 Aug 10 - 12:03 PM (#2967908)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Surely I Will, Lord (Albert E. Brumley)
From: GUEST,Melissa

Wow,my grandmother taught me and my cousins this song and Roughside of the Mountain before she past. She said it was inportant to learn these songs. These songs would bring strength and comfort in times to come. Well time has moved forward and I am the only one who still remembers those songs and even I have trouble with Roughside of the Mountain, but Surely I Will is a song that keeps me. I came here looking for some information on this powerful song and found the entry on 22 June08, to be the closest to what my grandmother taught us. So here are my lyrics via Geneva( grandma):

I started on this journey
Along time ago
So many pains and heartaches
But I promised the Lord I'd go

With my sword and my shield
I'm gonna stand on the battle field
And if any body makes it
Surely, I will

Chorus
If the teacher makes it
Surely, I will;surely, I will; surely, I will
If the preacher makes it
Surely, I will;surely, I will; surely, I will

Well you know Im bound for mount zion
Way out on the hill
And if any body makes it
Surely I will

Repeat Chorus as many times as the Spirit allows.

Thanks for this forum!

10 Apr 11 - 08:06 PM (#3132710)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Surely I Will, Lord (Albert E. Brumley)
From: GUEST

My sister Gloria and I Rosie is looking for lyrics to a song all the words we know is "I don't have to worry where I Spend Enterntity"

11 Apr 11 - 11:09 PM (#3133437)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Surely I Will, Lord (Albert E. Brumley)
From: Jim Dixon

Guest (Gloria and Rosie):

It's not a good idea to make a new request in a thread about a different song. More people will see your request if you start a new thread. Also, we don't like to have discussions of two different songs jumbled up in one thread; it gets too confusing.

Accordingly, I have started a new thread for you here: Lyr Req: I Don't Have to Worry Where I'll Spend..

08 Jul 11 - 03:39 AM (#3183588)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Surely I Will, Lord (Albert E. Brumley)
From: GUEST,LYNETTE

L:YOU KNOW I STARTED ON THIS JOURNEY
A LONG TIME AGO
WITHHH SO MANY PAINS AND HEARTACHES
BUT I PROMISED THE LORD I'D GO
WITH MY SWORD AND MY SHIELD
I'M GOING TO STAY ON THE BATTLE FIELD
AND IF
ANYBODY MAKES IT
THEN SURELY I WILL
CHORUS
L:SURELY I WILL
C:SURELY I WILL (REPEAT X4 L AND C)
EVERYONE: YOU KNOW IM BOUND FOR MOUNT ZION, WAY OUT ON THE HILL, AND IF, ANYBODY MAKES IT, SURELY I WILL

02 Apr 15 - 06:13 PM (#3699148)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Surely I Will, Lord (Albert E. Brumley)
From: GUEST

Masters V Quartet was singing "Surely I will Lord" in 1993 @Grand Old Gospel Reunion..(GOGR).....I found the video online and now the Video has been removed....Could You or someone please explain the reason The Video was removed....

Thank You,

Linda Pollak

02 Apr 15 - 06:40 PM (#3699157)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Surely I Will, Lord (Albert E. Brumley)
From: GUEST,#

Pretty rendition here (YT) by Iris DeMent.

The sound quality isn't great but it's worth a listen if you like the song/hymn.