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Canaan Land/ I'm On My Way To Canaan's Land
Spiritual; Gospel Hymn; Bluegrass Gospel;
ARTIST: 1) Gospel Songbirds Canaan Land Nashboro 1965
2) Chimes of Canaan Canaan Land-I'll Be Alright HSE 1970s
3) Joe Taggart
CATEGORY: Traditional Shape-Note Gospel;
DATE: 1800s; 1965
RECORDING INFO: Canaan Land
Gospel Songbirds Canaan Land Nashboro 1965
Chimes of Canaan. Canaan Land- I'll Be Alright HSE 1970s
Taggart, Blind Joe. Canaan Land. Document Records Vol. 2
RECORDING INFO: I'm On My Way [Me III-C103]
At - I'll Journey On
Greenway, John / American Folksongs of Protest, Perpetua, Sof (1960/1953), p100
Abe and Malka. Mandelblatt, Abe & Malka A. / 100 Guitar Accompanyments, Amsco, Sof (1974), p154
Carter Family. Old-Time Family Religion, Camden CAS 816(e), LP (1964), trk# A.03 [1930/11/25] (On My Way to Canaan's Land)
Dane, Barbara. Freedom Is a Constant Struggle, Folk Era FE 1419, CD (1994), trk# 1.12 [1960s]
Dane, Barbara. On My Way, Capitol ST 1758, LP (196?), trk# A.02
Darling, Erik. True Religion, Vanguard VRS 9099, LP (1961), trk# 7
Hickerson, Joe. Joe Hickerson, Folk Legacy FSI 039, LP (1970), trk# A.06
Moody, Andy. Angola Prison Spirituals, Arhoolie 9036, CD (2003), trk# 1 [1958ca]
New Wine Singers. New Wine Singers at the Chicago Opera House, Vee-Jay VJ 1071, LP (1963), trk# B.02c
Odetta. Odetta at Town Hall, Vanguard VRS-9103, LP (1962), trk# B.07c
Odetta. Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues, Tradition TLP 1010/TCD 1, CD (1996/1956), trk# 16c
Rooftop Singers. Good Time!, Vanguard VRS-9134, LP (1964), trk# A.04
Smiley, Red; and the Bluegrass Cut-Ups. 20 Old Time Favorites, Rural Rhythm RC-211, Cas (1991), trk# B.06
Smith, Dallas; and the Boys from Shiloh. Still Pickin', Narnian NR 0003-2, CD (2000), trk# 14 (Canaan's Land)
I'm on My Way
Solomon, Jack & Olivia (eds.) / Sweet Bunch of Daisies, Colonial Press, Bk (1991), p174 [1938]
OTHER NAMES: "On my Way to Canaan's Land" "Canaan's Land"
RELATED TO: "If You Go, Don't Hinder Me" "Bound for Canaan's Land" "I'll Journey On" "Don't Hinder Me"
SEE: "Bound for Canaan's Land" for info on the related songs
SOURCES: WFMU;
NOTES: "Canaan Land" by the Gospel Songbirds is based on the old African-American spiritual "I'm On My Way To Canaan's Land," known usually more recently as the variant "I'm on My Way." The related song has become a bluegrass standard under the title "On my Way to Canaan's Land" when it was recorded in 1930 by the Carter Family who probably adapted it from an African- American source (Leslie Riddle's friend, Pauline Gary).
Perhaps the most powerful early version is by Blind Joe Taggart (solo with guitar), who is difficult to understand. His ballad is more of random free verse about Joseph, his wife and Lott.
On My Way To Canaan's Land- Standard Bluegrass version (evolved from African-American Pauline Gary circa 1930) Flatt and Scruggs
I'm on my way (I'm on my way) to Canaan's land (to Canaan's land)
I'm on my way (I'm on my way) to Canaan's land (to Canaan's land)
I'm on my way (I'm on my way) to Canaan's land
I'm on my way (Praise the Lord) I'm on my way
If sister don't go (if sister don't go) it won't hinder me (it won't hinder me)
If sister don't go (if sister don't go) it won't hinder me (it won't hinder me)
If sister don't go (if sister don't go) it won't hinder me
I'm on my way, yes, My Lord, I'm on my way
If you don't go (if you don't go) it won't hinder me (it won't hinder me)
If you don't go (if you don't go) it won't hinder me (it won't hinder me)
If you don't go (if you don't go) it won't hinder me
I'm on my way (Thank the Lord) I'm on my way
If father don't go (if father don't go) it won't hinder me (it won't hinder me)
If father don't go (if father don't go) it won't hinder me (it won't hinder me)
If father don't go (if father don't go) it won't hinder me
I'm on my way (Praise the Lord) I'm on my way
I'm on my way (I'm on my way) to Canaan's land (to Canaan's land)
I'm on my way (I'm on my way) to Canaan's land (to Canaan's land)
I'm on my way (I'm on my way) to Canaan's land
I'm on my way (Praise the Lord) I'm on my way
The Carter Family's "(I'm) On My Way To Canaan's Land" (1930) seems to be the basis for most bluegrass versions (although it was recored by other early country musicians). "The Holiness people used to sing that," remembered Sara (Notes to The Carter Family: In the Shadow of Clinch Mountain, Bear Family, p. 54).
ON MY WAY TO CANAAN'S LAND
I'm on my way to Canaan's land
I'm on my way to Canaan's land
I'm on my way to Canaan's land
I'm on my way (praise God), I'm on my way
If father won't go, it won't hinder me (3X)
I'm on my way (praise God), I'm on my way
If mother won't go, it won't hinder me (3X)
I'm on my way (praise God), I'm on my way
If sister won't go, it won't hinder me (3X)
I'm on my way (praise God), I'm on my way
Oh be baptized in Jesus' name (3X)
I'm on my way (praise God), I'm on my way
I'm on my way to Canaan's land (3X)
I'm on my way (praise God), I'm on my way
Other early African-American lyrics:
Lyrics from Newman White 1928:
I'm on my way to Canaan land;
I am on my way to Canaan land.
If Jesus will my leader be,
I'm on my way, praise God;
Oh, there 's nothing you can say.
If You Don't Go, Don't Hinder Me (Bernice Johnson Reagon)
I'm on my way To Canaan's land,
I'm on my way To Canaan's land.
I'm on my way To Canaan's land,
I'm on my way, Good Lord, I'm on my way.
Canaan Land- Gospel Songbirds; Nashboro 1965
I'm on my way, (on my way) to de Canaan's land (Canaan's land)
I'm on my way, (on my way) to de Canaan's land (Canaan's land)
On my way to the Canaan's land, to wrap the glory still at hand
I'm on my way, (on my way) to Canaan's land (Canaan's land) oh Lord
Papa don't go (Papa don't go)
On bended knee (bended knee)
Papa don't go (Papa don't go)
On bended knee (bended knee)
Papa don't go, don't you hinder me
Face of Jesus I will see
VAMP
I'm on my way, (on my way)
on my way (on my way)
Lord help me (on my way)
Late one Friday evening (on my way)
I meet up in the morning (on my way)
Lord I live (on my way)
with (out) the blood I'll surely to die (on my way)
The Lord's told Jesus (on my way)
Wait a minute, Sir. The reason I know..
[brief break]
VAMP 2
Said he would meet me (Said he would met me)
Jesus said (He said he would met me)
When I (Said he would met me)
When I've been talked about (He said he would met me)
Meet me this evening (He said he would met me)
Please sir, (He said he would met me)
Lord please sir(He said he would met me)
Please sir (He said he would met me)
Canaan Land- Chimes of Canaan (CD: I'll Be Alright) HSE 1970s
CHORUS: I am on my way, (I am on my way) to the Canaan land (to Canaan land)
I'm on my way, (I'm on my way) to the Canaan land (to Canaan land)
I done signed up (I done signed up) Lord I-- (made up in my mind)
I'm on my way, (I'm on my way) to the Canaan land (to Canaan land)
If my mother don't go (If mother don't go)
I've got to journey on (I'll journey on)
If mother don't go (If mother don't go)
I've got to journey on (I'll journey on)
I done signed up (I done signed up) Lord I-- (made up in my mind)
I'm on my way, (I'm on my way) to the Canaan's land (to Canaan's land)
If my father don't go (If father don't go)
Don't you hinder me (Don't hinder me)
If father don't go (If father don't go)
Don't you hinder me (Don't hinder me)
VAMP
I done signed up (I done signed up)
I done signed up (I done signed up)
I came to Jesus(I done signed up)
Early one Sunday morning(I done signed up)
He picked me up (I done signed up)
And he turned me around (I done signed up)
Lord I-- (made up in my mind)
I'm on my way, (I'm on my way) to the Canaan land (to Canaan land)
CHORUS: I am on my way, (I am on my way) to the Canaan land (to Canaan land)
I'm on my way, (I'm on my way) to the Canaan land (to Canaan land)
I done signed up (I done signed up)
VAMP
I done signed up (I done signed up)
I done signed up (I done signed up)
Oh Lord
Canaan Land- Blind Joe Taggart (solo with guitar)
CHORUS: I am on my way, to the Canaan land
I'm on my way, to the Canaan land
I'm on my way, called Canaan land
I'm on my way, praise God, I'm on my way.
VERSE: Oh Joseph was a religious man,
He had trouble at home and all over the land.
Joseph was afflicted from his head to his feet,
His wife came in, said, "How do you feel?"
Then Joseph began to shout,
CHORUS: I am on my way, to the Canaan land
I'm on my way, to the Canaan land.
If Jesus will, might come to be
I'm on my way, praise God, I'm on my way.
VERSE: Oh Joseph killed a cow for David
They both come while they was out in the field
Said the Lord giveth big, the Lord giveth small,
And blessed be the name of the Lord (he) give it all
CHORUS: Anybody here wants to go with me
Now anybody here wants to go with me
Ain't nobody here, I'll journey on,
I'm on my way, praise God, I'm on my way.
VERSE: Oh Joseph told Sherron the deal
They both come while they was out in the field
Said the Lord that giveth, He taketh away,
Blessed be the name of the Lord that giveth,
CHORUS: Nothing you can say can change my mind
Nothing you can say can change my mind
Now he's a-gonna change *it all behind
I'm on my way, praise God, I'm on my way.
VERSE: Oh Joseph your wife want to know
If you had the right mind to basically show
Joseph looked around at his wife and smiled,
Speak as the foolish and not as a wife,
CHORUS: But there's nothing you can say can change my mind
Nothing you can say can change my mind
Now He's a-gonna change it all behind
I'm on my way, praise God, I'm on my way.
VERSE: Oh Joseph was a man that's fair
They both seen it comin' as a trial here
Jospeh and Lott gave a chat with her,
I'm going to the country- no sickness there.
CHORUS: Anybody here wants to go with me
Now anybody here wants to go with me
Ain't nobody here, I'll journey on,
I'm on my way, praise God, I'm on my way.
CHORUS: I am on my way, to the Canaan land
I'm on my way, to the Canaan land
I'm on my way, called Canaan land
I'm on my way, praise God, I'm on my way.
*Now he's a-gonna changin' all the mind(s),
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