Don't You Hear Jerusalem Moan?- Skillet Lickers

Don't You Hear Jerusalem Moan?

Skillet Lickers 1926

Don't You Hear Jerusalem Moan?/Don't You Hear Jerusalem Morn?

Traditional Old-time Bluegrass Gospel

ARTIST: From Skillet Lickers 1926

YouTube:

Listen: http://honkingduck.com/mc/listen/gid-tanner-skillet-lickers/dont-you-hear-jerusalem-moan

SHEET MUSIC:

CATEGORY: Traditional and Public Domain Gospel 

DATE: probably 1800s; "Jerusalem Mourning" 1910
 
RECORDING INFO: Don't You Hear Jerusalem Moan/Mourn [Me II-P33]

Richardson, Ethel Park / American Mountain Songs, Greenberg, Bk (1927/1955), p 64 (Don't Ya Heah Jerusalem Moan?)
Costa, Jim. Banjo Legacy, Augusta Heritage AHR 006/024, LP (1989), trk# A.06
Eberhart, Jon/Jonathan. Life's Trolley Ride, Folk Legacy FSI 082, LP (1981), trk# A.03 (Hear Jerusalem Mourn)
Holt, David. It Just Suits Me, June Appal JA 038, LP (1981), trk# 8 (Jerusalem Mourn)
Stecher, Jody. Going Up on the Mountain, Bay 210, LP (1977), trk# B.03
Wallin, Cas. Appalachia, The Old Traditions, Home Made Music LP-001, LP (1983), trk# B.10 [1980/08/26]

It was recorded in 1936 by the Heavenly Gospel Singers in 1936. Now on Document 5452, HGS Complete Works vol. 1. It is on The Nashville Bluegrass Band's "Idle Time" album where it is copyright listed as: "Traditional" Nashville Bluegrass Band did a lot of black gospel when Mississippian Mike Compton was in the band. Also recorded by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. The Judds have a version where they claim authorship.

Ballad index: Don't You Hear Jerusalem Mourn?
DESCRIPTION: Describes the foibles of various denominations of preachers; a Baptist has a bottle in his pocket, etc. Chorus: "Don't you hear Jerusalem Mourn?...Thank God for the heaven bells a-ringin' and my soul starts singin'"
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1925 (recording, Bill Chitwood & Bud Landress)
LONG DESCRIPTION: Describes the foibles of various denominations of preachers; a Baptist has a bottle in his pocket, a Hardshell "never chews his own tobacco nor drinks his own booze," a Presbyterian is stiff-necked, a Holy Roller "gets them all a-rolling then he kicks the lights out." Chorus: "Don't you hear Jerusalem Mourn?...Thank God for the heaven bells a-ringin' and my soul starts singin'"
KEYWORDS: sex drink humorous nonballad clergy
FOUND IN:
REFERENCES (1 citation):
DT, JERUSLEM*
Roud #4945
RECORDINGS:
Warren Caplinger, "Jerusalem Mourn" (Vocalion 5240, 1928)
Bill Chitwood & Bud Landress, "Jerusalem Mourn" (Brunswick 2809, 1925)
Gid Tanner & his Skillet Lickers, "Can't You Hear Jerusalem Moan" (Columbia 15104-D, 1926)
ALTERNATE TITLES:
Don't You Hear Jerusalem Moan?
Notes: This seems to be a distant parody of a spiritual, "Jerusalem Mourning", recorded in 1910. I suspect a minstrel origin. - PJS


OTHER NAMES: "Don't You Hear Jerusalem Mourn?"

RELATED TO: "Jerusalem Mourning"

SOURCES: Meade; Folk Index; Ballad Index

NOTES: "Don't You Hear Jerusalem Moan?" or "Don't You Hear Jerusalem Mourn?" is a traditional old-time/bluegrass gospel song. This version is from April 17, 1926 whne Gid Tanner and His Skillet Lickers cut their classic first eight sides.

According to the Ballad Index this seems to be a distant parody of a spiritual, "Jerusalem Mourning", recorded in 1910 of minstrel origin.

DON'T YOU HEAR JERUSALEM MOAN?- Skillet Lickers 1926

There's a Meth'dist preacher, you can tell him by his bow---
Don't you hear Jerusalem moan?
Never grubbles at a chicken, just pickin' out the co'
Don't you hear Jerusalem moan?

CHORUS: Don't you hear Jerusalem moan?
Don't you hear Jerusalem moan?
Thank God there's a Heaven and a ringin' in my soul and my soul starts singin'
Don't you hear Jerusalem moan?

There's a Hardshell preacher, you can tell 'im by his shoes,
Don't you hear Jerusalem moan?
Never chaws his own terbaccer and drinks his own booze,
Don't you hear Jerusalem moan?

CHORUS:

There's a Baptis' preacher, you can tell him by his walk
Don't you hear Jerusalem moan?
Got a bottle in his pocket an' he can't hardly talk,
Don't you hear Jerusalem moan?

CHORUS:

There's a Campbellite preacher, an' his soul is saved,
Don't you hear Jerusalem moan?
But he has to be baptised ever' other day,
Don't you hear Jerusalem moan?

CHORUS:

There's a Holy Roller preacher, he can show you how to shout,
Don't you hear Jerusalem moan?
When he gits them all a-rollin' and they *kick out the lights,
Don't you hear Jerusalem moan?

CHORUS:

There's a Presbyt'ian preacher, an' he lives in town,
Don't you hear Jerusalem moan?
His neck's so stiff he cain't hardly look around,
Don't you hear Jerusalem moan?

CHORUS:

There's a Meth'dist preacher, you can tell him by his bow---
Don't you hear Jerusalem moan?
Never grubbles at a chicken, just pickin' out the co'
Don't you hear Jerusalem moan?

*kick the lights out (gets the lyrics mixed here)