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Death Is Only A Dream/Death Is No More Than a Dream
Public Domain/Traditional Old-Time, Bluegrass Gospel; Words by Rev. C.W. Ray; Music by A. J. Buchanan music/ H.B. Pener wds 1892;
ARTIST: From Reverend Edward W. Clayborn 1927
YOUTUBE:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iGo9CoNvvw&feature=related
Edward Clayborn - Death Is Only A Dream
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08nk2YJqjLU&feature=related
Gob Iron "Death is Only a Dream" Cat's Cradle 11.11.06
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzIOpSFqWFw&feature=related
The Original Carter Family & The Carter Children: It's Hard To Please Your Mind; Death Is Only A Dream
SHEET MUSIC: http://books.google.com/books?id=QoSONQFlehoC&pg=PT22&dq=%22Death+is+only+a+dream%22&hl=en&ei=hQ4cTL7ABMH78Aa-4q3HDA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAA#v=
onepage&q=%22Death%20is%20only%20a%20dream%22&f=false
CATEGORY: Traditional Bluegrass Gospel;
DATE: 1892
RECORDING INFO: Death Is No More Than a Dream [Me III-F 48] - Ray, Rev. C. W./Buchanan, A. J.
Davis and Nelson. Paramount Old Time Recordings, JSP 7774A-D, CD( (2006), trk# C.19 [1929/04ca]
Death Is Only a Dream [Me III-F 48] - Ray, Rev. C. W./Buchanan, A. J.
Original Carter Family. 16/01/1939, Death Is Only A Dream
Carter Family. Greatest Old Time Gospel Hymns. Featuring the Phipps Family, Pine Mountain PMR 125, LP (196?), trk# A.09
Stanley Brothers. Earliest Recordings, Rich-R-Tone 6004, LP (1997/reis), trk# B.05 [1947/03ca]
Stanley Brothers. Bluegrass Bonanza., Properbox 29, CD (2001), trk# 3.13 [1947]
RELATED TO:
OTHER NAMES: "Death Is No More Than a Dream"
SOURCES: Folk Index; Hymn studies; Mudcat;
NOTES: "Death Is Only A Dream" or "Death Is No More Than a Dream" was first published in 1892 Living Songs for The Sunday School with words by Rev. C.W. Ray and music by A. J. Buchanan. At some point in the early 1900s it entered tradition and new versions like Edward Clayborn's 1927 arose. The Stanley Brothers version probably was learned from an early hymnal because they stick closely to the original lyrics. The song was also covered by African-American quartets like Bryant's Jubilee Quartet in 1931. The Carter Family version from 1939 has one new verse.
Here are some notes from a hymn study online: A song which likens death to a dream that one has while sleeping is "Death Is Only A Dream." The text was written by C. W. Ray. I have been able to find no further information on the author, except that he must have been a minister of some kind because for another song that he wrote, "Let Him Come In" with music by Harvey R. Christie, he is listed as "Rev. C. J. Ray." The chorus was added and the tune was composed by A. J. Buchanan. Neither do I have any further information on the composer. The song was copyrighted in 1892 by Rigdon McCoy McIntosh and probably first appeared in the 1892 Living Songs for The Sunday School, The Epworth League, Prayer Meetings, Revivals, and All Special Occasions of Christian Work and Worship edited by McIntosh and W. G. E. Cunnyngham for the Publishing House of the Methodist Episcopal Church South in Nashville, TN.
The copyright was originally owned by McIntosh and H. A. R. Horton, but was later obtained by Standard Publishing Co., or at least an arrangement was owned by them. J. W. McGarvey made reference to the song in "Chapel Address #1" of his Chapel Talks. It is said to have been the favorite song of country western singer Hank Williams Sr. (1923-1953). This is according to the official Hank Williams Sr. website. Among hymnbooks published by members of the Lord’s church during the twentieth century for use in churches of Christ, the song appeared in the 1935 Christian Hymns (No. 1) edited by L. O. Sanderson; the 1938 Spiritual Melodies and the 1965 Great Christian Hymnal No. 2 both edited by Tillit S. Teddlie; the 1940 Complete Christian Hymnal and the 1960 Hymnal both edited by Marion Davis; and the 1963 Abiding Hymns edited by Robert C. Welch. To my knowledge, it is not found in any of our hymnbooks currently in print.
Reverend Edward W. Clayborn was known as "the Guitar Evangelist". He sang a form of blues gospel not unlike the work of Blind Willie Johnson. Clayborn recorded some 40 tracks for Vocalion Records between 1926 and 1930.
In The Ganymede Takeover the SF author Philip K. Dick, a record enthusiast, has a character state that "True Religion", sung by Reverend Edward W. Clayborn was one of the first jazz recordings.
DEATH IS ONLY A DREAM- Edward Clayborne (bright waltz tempo/ with slide guitar)
CHORUS: Only a dream, only a dream
Of glory beyond the dark stream
How peaceful the slumber, how happy the waking
For death is only a dream
VERSE: My road was dark but the light came at last
And flooded my soul with its gleams
True that this life is like clouds overcast
For death is only a dream
CHORUS:
My Lord I know the way for doing this life
How shall I cross the dark stream?
Jesus has given me gracious relief
For death is only a dream
CHORUS:
My Lord I've seen through veil covered clouds
To the banks of a beautiful stream
Where the saints have prepare a feast for the Lord
For death is only a dream
CHORUS:
My Lord tell Father I've seen that bright home
That God gave his Son to redeem
I know He's been faithful and the glory unfolds
For death is only a dream
CHORUS: (sings part of the last chorus; plays slide part)
DEATH IS ONLY A DREAM- Original 1892 lyrics; Words by Rev. C.W. Ray and music by A. J. Buchanan
I. Sadly we sing, and with tremulous breath,
As we stand by the mystical stream,
In the valley and by the dark river of death,
And yet ’tis no more than a dream.
CHORUS: Only a dream, only a dream,
And glory beyond the dark stream;
How peaceful the slumber, how happy the waking;
For death is only a dream.
II. Why should we weep when the weary ones rest
In the bosom of Jesus supreme,
In the mansions of glory prepared for the blest?
For death is no more than a dream.
III. Naught in the river the saints should appall,
Though it frightfully dismal may seem;
In the arms of their Savior no ill can befall.
They find it no more than a dream."
IV. Over the turbid and onrushing tide
Doth the light of eternity gleam;
And the ransomed the darkness and storm shall outride
To wake with glad smiles from their dream.
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