Edited by Azizi Powell
This pancocojams post presents comments about "old school Gospel music" with special focus on old school African American Gospel music.
This post also showcases two videos of the old school Gospel song "I Will Trust In The Lord". Selected comments from those videos' discussion threads.
The content of this post is presented for religious, historical, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the composer of "I Will Trust In The Lord". Thanks also to all those who are featured in the videos that are embedded in this post. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
-snip-
Some websites* credit Rev. C. L. Franklin as the composer of "I Will Trust In The Lord". However, I'm not sure if Rev. Franklin was the composer of this song rather than being known for singing that song. Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._L._Franklin for information about the American Baptist minister and father of singer Aretha Franklin, Rev. C. L. Franklin.
-snip-
* For example, the lyric website whose link is given below credits Rev. C. L. Franklin as the composer of this song. I've also seen this song given as a Spiritual. If so, its composers are unknown.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S COMMENTS & ARTICLE EXCERPT ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRAISE & WORSHIP SONGS AND GOSPEL SONGS
In the context of this post, "old school" is a positive African American Vernacular English referent for music and other cultural indices from the past.
"Dr. Watts" (lining out; Old Meter)* is one type of "old school" singing. However, "old school" church singing can also refer to the types of songs that are sung and how those songs are sung. When Gospel songs are sung soulfully, in "down home" ways, the choir or soloists are exhorted to "Sing!" and are said to be "sangin'".
*Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/08/soulful-black-churches.html for one of several pancocojams posts on African American churches singing "Dr. Watts" songs.
In addition to referring to songs that were sung back in the day- which can mean as late as the mid twentieth century- I think that "old school" Gospel songs differ in structure and themes from contemporary "Praise And Worship" songs.
Here's a long excerpt from one response of several responses to the question "What is the difference between praise and worship music and gospel music?" on https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-praise-and-worship-music-and-gospel-music
From Angela Witcher, Bachelor of Music, Master of Arts in Music, Music Teacher and Professor
Written Jun 2, 2016
...."Praise and worship and gospel music are similar in their message of Christianity. They both can focus on praising God’s name, His work, telling the person’s testimony, or stories from the Bible. They can both have any tempo, or texture. They can have any instrumentation of combination of vocals. The main thing is that they worship God and spread the message of Christianity in a general sense.
They are different primarily in the church culture in which they are used. For years, I went to a primarily African-American church, and their main form of worship was gospel music. The music utilized a full choir, a live band with keyboards, drums, bass and guitars. The music varied in tempo but often got faster in time and had a call and response element from soloist(s) and the choir. This musical style is best compared to rhythm and blues. There was often key changes by half-steps upward to build excitement as the music went on. There was also heavy participation from the congregation. I performed in the band and sometimes the choir, and when we toured various locations and saw other churches they also performed in a similar manner....
I was raised in a church (primarily Caucasian) who did, “Southern Gospel Music,” meaning a style similar to country music from the 50’s and 60’s in the USA. The music often had personal testimonies and were done with either CD accompaniment, or a guitar player. Sometimes the songs were traditional baptist hymns (known in both Caucasian and African-American southern churches) sung as solo songs in a country style. Sometimes a whole choir sang songs from the hymnal straight out or in a country style. It is called “Gospel,” because that is a word that means “good news.” Both of Gospel and Southern Gospel are called “Gospel,” and rightly so, but they are not the exact same style. I knew it depended on the culture of the church I was going to, as to what I was going to hear.
The final type of music is praise and worship. I went to a Christian university and was introduced to praise and worship music there as I attended church services and convocation 3–7 times per week. For praise and worship in this setting, the music is often in the style of pop or rock music. There is a live band with guitars, bass, and occasionally a piano player. Sometimes praise and worship meant 4 and 5 part harmony singers doing pop or upbeat country style medleys of existing hymns or new songs. I often felt that praise and worship set the tone for church service.
Looking at all of this music from just a theoretical sense is maddening. I happened to be studying music theory at the time I was learning new praise and worship songs and that church culture, and I drove myself crazy realizing that I could play 20 different praise and worship songs with the exact same chord progression. Wasn’t this cheap and easy music writing? Wasn’t gospel music putting on an act by just going chromatically faster and higher? Wasn’t “Southern Gospel Music,” just a rip-off of country music? Didn’t God deserve more than what these music styles entailed? Those were questions I struggled with for some time. Then I realized, it’s not about the formula of the music. It’s imperfect people describing (or attempting to describe) perfection and something close to their heart. At the end of the day, if it reaches your heart, it was worth it."
****
LYRICS -I WILL TRUST IN THE LORD
I will trust in the Lord.
I will trust in the Lord.
I will trust in the Lord until I die
I will trust in the Lord.
I will trust in the Lord.
I will trust in the Lord until I die.
I'm goin' to treat everybody right.
I'm goin' to treat everybody right.
I'm goin' to treat everybody right until I die
I'm goin' to treat everybody right.
I'm goin' to treat everybody right.
I'm goin' to treat everybody right until I die.
I'm goin' to stay on the battlefield.
I'm goin' to stay on the battlefield.
I'm goin' to stay on the battlefield until I die
I'm goin' to stay on the battlefield.
I'm goin' to stay on the battlefield.
I'm goin' to stay on the battlefield until I die.
I'm goin' to stay on a bended knee.
I'm goin' to stay on a bended knee.
I'm goin' to stay on a bended knee until I die
I'm goin' to stay on a bended knee.
I'm goin' to stay on a bended knee.
I'm goin' to stay on a bended knee until I die.
I'm goin' to watch, fight and pray.
I'm goin' to watch, fight and pray.
I'm goin' to watch, fight and pray until I die
I'm goin' to watch, fight and pray.
I'm goin' to watch, fight and pray.
I'm goin' to watch, fight and pray until I die.
From http://lyrics.wikia.com/wiki/Rev._C.L._Franklin:I_Will_Trust_In_The_Lord
-snip-
This is just one version of "I Will Trust in The Lord". Except for the first verse, other verses that follow this pattern are sung for this song in addition to or in substitution for the verses given above.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: Singing - I will trust in the Lord
Dr. E. Dewey Smith Jr, Uploaded on Feb 15, 2010
Sermon Title: "As for me and my house"
-snip-
Here's information about Dr. E. Dewey Smith Jr: from http://edeweysmith.org/bio/
"Dr. E. Dewey Smith is the Senior Pastor/Teacher of The House of Hope Atlanta and The House of Hope Macon in Georgia – one church in two locations – with a membership roll of more than 15,000....
“The Preachers” is Smith’s latest foray into television. He is the recipient of 2015 “Programmer of the Year” Allen Award, received for his television program, “Living Hope.” The show is broadcast weekly on The Word Network which has a reach – in the United States alone – of 86 million households. His television broadcasts and media ministries have an international reach and are viewed by millions around the world."..
-snip-
Here are selected comments from this video's discussion thread. Numbers are assigned to these comments for referencing purposes only.
2010
1. tighmir
"I love a young church that does it the old way! Love it!"
**
2. anglu9
"This is the foundation of church traditional Gospel.From a truly anointed Pastor.THANK YOU LORD"
**
3. MontageMediaWorks
"Up getting ready for class...man this reminds me of those old MBC days with my Gramz...with the choir marching in and all that lol"
-snip-
"MBC" is probably the initials for a church name such as "Macedonia Baptist Church" or "Monumental Baptist Church". There are Black churches with those names in Black communities throughout the United States. "Gramz" is a stylized form of the word "Grams" (i.e. "grandma").
Choir marching in - choir processionals. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/11/marching-for-jesus-black-church_84.html for one of several pancocojams posts on choir processionals.
****
2011
[The following two responses appear to be in response to the question "What is this church's denomination?" But that question is no longer found on that discussion thread.]
4. Anto18nio
"@travonprince this is a Baptist church."
**
Reply
5. baltimoresshorty
"@travonprince It is a full gospel church somewhat of a mix of Baptist and Cogic is the easiest way for me to explain it"
-snip-
COGIC= Church Of God In Christ (denomination)
**
Elder Vincent Brown
6. "I so wish church could sound like it use to. This is great."
**
7. martyca6
"His songs brings me back memories when I was a child on Sunday mornings. Don't really hear much of these songs any more."
**
8. mones673
"This is old-time church RIGHT HERE. Yessir! Sing, Pastor Smith."
**
9. LadyCiss
"yes! this is my FAVORITE Pastor Smith/GTR video right here. That drummer is on point, reminds me of AME church days when the spirit was high and the Pastor would open the doors of the church."
-snip-
AME = African Methodist Episcopal (denomination)
****
2012
10. PsalmsPoetic
"Okay, if you're reading this and you attend this church, tell your pastor I said to sing more, don't be cutting it short, I'm trying to get my praise on... lol. Blessings to you and your anointed pastor."...
**
11. Angel Hall
"We are on the SAME page and in the SAME book when it comes down to old school gospel. I thank Rev. Smith for keeping it around."
**
12. MrOverdogg
"Old school, nothing like it.."
**
13. Daryll Brown
"Bringing it back the old school way! I remember this song being sung at devotion or invitation(when the doors of the church opened)."
-snip-
"Opening the doors of the church" occurs at the end of the sermon when the minister offers a formal invitation for people to profess Jesus as their Lord & Savior and join the church (or if they are already "saved", offers a formal invitation for people to join that particular church).
****
2013
13. Jason A Howell, Jr
"That's real olde school"
****
Example #2: I Will Trust In The Lord
Stamps Media & Entertainment, Uploaded on Jan 1, 2010
-snip-
Here are selected comments from this video's discussion thread. Numbers are assigned to these comments for referencing purposes only.
2010
1. albert adams
"This is one of my favorite gospel songs, I just love it. Thanks for posting this. They don't sing songs like this to much anymore."
2013
Reply
2. Patricia Boughton
"They don't and it's a shame".
**
3. Terence Manuel
"This is an old time favorite. I grew up in rural Georgia. I can still remember the floor of the church vibrating as well all stomped and swayed. Sister Finney on that piano."
****
2016
4. MCKILDRED ROSS
"Churches don't sing like this anymore".
**
5. Rox Smith
"One of my favorite hymns. I will trust in the Lord...... old school....love it!!!"
**
6. Hamylton Porter
"That's some real Church singing! !!!! They don't do it like that much anymore. That real touch the soul!!! AMEN!"
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.
This pancocojams post presents comments about "old school Gospel music" with special focus on old school African American Gospel music.
This post also showcases two videos of the old school Gospel song "I Will Trust In The Lord". Selected comments from those videos' discussion threads.
The content of this post is presented for religious, historical, cultural, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to the composer of "I Will Trust In The Lord". Thanks also to all those who are featured in the videos that are embedded in this post. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
-snip-
Some websites* credit Rev. C. L. Franklin as the composer of "I Will Trust In The Lord". However, I'm not sure if Rev. Franklin was the composer of this song rather than being known for singing that song. Click https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._L._Franklin for information about the American Baptist minister and father of singer Aretha Franklin, Rev. C. L. Franklin.
-snip-
* For example, the lyric website whose link is given below credits Rev. C. L. Franklin as the composer of this song. I've also seen this song given as a Spiritual. If so, its composers are unknown.
****
PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S COMMENTS & ARTICLE EXCERPT ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PRAISE & WORSHIP SONGS AND GOSPEL SONGS
In the context of this post, "old school" is a positive African American Vernacular English referent for music and other cultural indices from the past.
"Dr. Watts" (lining out; Old Meter)* is one type of "old school" singing. However, "old school" church singing can also refer to the types of songs that are sung and how those songs are sung. When Gospel songs are sung soulfully, in "down home" ways, the choir or soloists are exhorted to "Sing!" and are said to be "sangin'".
*Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/08/soulful-black-churches.html for one of several pancocojams posts on African American churches singing "Dr. Watts" songs.
In addition to referring to songs that were sung back in the day- which can mean as late as the mid twentieth century- I think that "old school" Gospel songs differ in structure and themes from contemporary "Praise And Worship" songs.
Here's a long excerpt from one response of several responses to the question "What is the difference between praise and worship music and gospel music?" on https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-praise-and-worship-music-and-gospel-music
From Angela Witcher, Bachelor of Music, Master of Arts in Music, Music Teacher and Professor
Written Jun 2, 2016
...."Praise and worship and gospel music are similar in their message of Christianity. They both can focus on praising God’s name, His work, telling the person’s testimony, or stories from the Bible. They can both have any tempo, or texture. They can have any instrumentation of combination of vocals. The main thing is that they worship God and spread the message of Christianity in a general sense.
They are different primarily in the church culture in which they are used. For years, I went to a primarily African-American church, and their main form of worship was gospel music. The music utilized a full choir, a live band with keyboards, drums, bass and guitars. The music varied in tempo but often got faster in time and had a call and response element from soloist(s) and the choir. This musical style is best compared to rhythm and blues. There was often key changes by half-steps upward to build excitement as the music went on. There was also heavy participation from the congregation. I performed in the band and sometimes the choir, and when we toured various locations and saw other churches they also performed in a similar manner....
I was raised in a church (primarily Caucasian) who did, “Southern Gospel Music,” meaning a style similar to country music from the 50’s and 60’s in the USA. The music often had personal testimonies and were done with either CD accompaniment, or a guitar player. Sometimes the songs were traditional baptist hymns (known in both Caucasian and African-American southern churches) sung as solo songs in a country style. Sometimes a whole choir sang songs from the hymnal straight out or in a country style. It is called “Gospel,” because that is a word that means “good news.” Both of Gospel and Southern Gospel are called “Gospel,” and rightly so, but they are not the exact same style. I knew it depended on the culture of the church I was going to, as to what I was going to hear.
The final type of music is praise and worship. I went to a Christian university and was introduced to praise and worship music there as I attended church services and convocation 3–7 times per week. For praise and worship in this setting, the music is often in the style of pop or rock music. There is a live band with guitars, bass, and occasionally a piano player. Sometimes praise and worship meant 4 and 5 part harmony singers doing pop or upbeat country style medleys of existing hymns or new songs. I often felt that praise and worship set the tone for church service.
Looking at all of this music from just a theoretical sense is maddening. I happened to be studying music theory at the time I was learning new praise and worship songs and that church culture, and I drove myself crazy realizing that I could play 20 different praise and worship songs with the exact same chord progression. Wasn’t this cheap and easy music writing? Wasn’t gospel music putting on an act by just going chromatically faster and higher? Wasn’t “Southern Gospel Music,” just a rip-off of country music? Didn’t God deserve more than what these music styles entailed? Those were questions I struggled with for some time. Then I realized, it’s not about the formula of the music. It’s imperfect people describing (or attempting to describe) perfection and something close to their heart. At the end of the day, if it reaches your heart, it was worth it."
****
LYRICS -I WILL TRUST IN THE LORD
I will trust in the Lord.
I will trust in the Lord.
I will trust in the Lord until I die
I will trust in the Lord.
I will trust in the Lord.
I will trust in the Lord until I die.
I'm goin' to treat everybody right.
I'm goin' to treat everybody right.
I'm goin' to treat everybody right until I die
I'm goin' to treat everybody right.
I'm goin' to treat everybody right.
I'm goin' to treat everybody right until I die.
I'm goin' to stay on the battlefield.
I'm goin' to stay on the battlefield.
I'm goin' to stay on the battlefield until I die
I'm goin' to stay on the battlefield.
I'm goin' to stay on the battlefield.
I'm goin' to stay on the battlefield until I die.
I'm goin' to stay on a bended knee.
I'm goin' to stay on a bended knee.
I'm goin' to stay on a bended knee until I die
I'm goin' to stay on a bended knee.
I'm goin' to stay on a bended knee.
I'm goin' to stay on a bended knee until I die.
I'm goin' to watch, fight and pray.
I'm goin' to watch, fight and pray.
I'm goin' to watch, fight and pray until I die
I'm goin' to watch, fight and pray.
I'm goin' to watch, fight and pray.
I'm goin' to watch, fight and pray until I die.
From http://lyrics.wikia.com/wiki/Rev._C.L._Franklin:I_Will_Trust_In_The_Lord
-snip-
This is just one version of "I Will Trust in The Lord". Except for the first verse, other verses that follow this pattern are sung for this song in addition to or in substitution for the verses given above.
****
SHOWCASE VIDEOS
Example #1: Singing - I will trust in the Lord
Dr. E. Dewey Smith Jr, Uploaded on Feb 15, 2010
Sermon Title: "As for me and my house"
-snip-
Here's information about Dr. E. Dewey Smith Jr: from http://edeweysmith.org/bio/
"Dr. E. Dewey Smith is the Senior Pastor/Teacher of The House of Hope Atlanta and The House of Hope Macon in Georgia – one church in two locations – with a membership roll of more than 15,000....
“The Preachers” is Smith’s latest foray into television. He is the recipient of 2015 “Programmer of the Year” Allen Award, received for his television program, “Living Hope.” The show is broadcast weekly on The Word Network which has a reach – in the United States alone – of 86 million households. His television broadcasts and media ministries have an international reach and are viewed by millions around the world."..
-snip-
Here are selected comments from this video's discussion thread. Numbers are assigned to these comments for referencing purposes only.
2010
1. tighmir
"I love a young church that does it the old way! Love it!"
**
2. anglu9
"This is the foundation of church traditional Gospel.From a truly anointed Pastor.THANK YOU LORD"
**
3. MontageMediaWorks
"Up getting ready for class...man this reminds me of those old MBC days with my Gramz...with the choir marching in and all that lol"
-snip-
"MBC" is probably the initials for a church name such as "Macedonia Baptist Church" or "Monumental Baptist Church". There are Black churches with those names in Black communities throughout the United States. "Gramz" is a stylized form of the word "Grams" (i.e. "grandma").
Choir marching in - choir processionals. Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2011/11/marching-for-jesus-black-church_84.html for one of several pancocojams posts on choir processionals.
****
2011
[The following two responses appear to be in response to the question "What is this church's denomination?" But that question is no longer found on that discussion thread.]
4. Anto18nio
"@travonprince this is a Baptist church."
**
Reply
5. baltimoresshorty
"@travonprince It is a full gospel church somewhat of a mix of Baptist and Cogic is the easiest way for me to explain it"
-snip-
COGIC= Church Of God In Christ (denomination)
**
Elder Vincent Brown
6. "I so wish church could sound like it use to. This is great."
**
7. martyca6
"His songs brings me back memories when I was a child on Sunday mornings. Don't really hear much of these songs any more."
**
8. mones673
"This is old-time church RIGHT HERE. Yessir! Sing, Pastor Smith."
**
9. LadyCiss
"yes! this is my FAVORITE Pastor Smith/GTR video right here. That drummer is on point, reminds me of AME church days when the spirit was high and the Pastor would open the doors of the church."
-snip-
AME = African Methodist Episcopal (denomination)
****
2012
10. PsalmsPoetic
"Okay, if you're reading this and you attend this church, tell your pastor I said to sing more, don't be cutting it short, I'm trying to get my praise on... lol. Blessings to you and your anointed pastor."...
**
11. Angel Hall
"We are on the SAME page and in the SAME book when it comes down to old school gospel. I thank Rev. Smith for keeping it around."
**
12. MrOverdogg
"Old school, nothing like it.."
**
13. Daryll Brown
"Bringing it back the old school way! I remember this song being sung at devotion or invitation(when the doors of the church opened)."
-snip-
"Opening the doors of the church" occurs at the end of the sermon when the minister offers a formal invitation for people to profess Jesus as their Lord & Savior and join the church (or if they are already "saved", offers a formal invitation for people to join that particular church).
****
2013
13. Jason A Howell, Jr
"That's real olde school"
****
Example #2: I Will Trust In The Lord
Stamps Media & Entertainment, Uploaded on Jan 1, 2010
-snip-
Here are selected comments from this video's discussion thread. Numbers are assigned to these comments for referencing purposes only.
2010
1. albert adams
"This is one of my favorite gospel songs, I just love it. Thanks for posting this. They don't sing songs like this to much anymore."
2013
Reply
2. Patricia Boughton
"They don't and it's a shame".
**
3. Terence Manuel
"This is an old time favorite. I grew up in rural Georgia. I can still remember the floor of the church vibrating as well all stomped and swayed. Sister Finney on that piano."
****
2016
4. MCKILDRED ROSS
"Churches don't sing like this anymore".
**
5. Rox Smith
"One of my favorite hymns. I will trust in the Lord...... old school....love it!!!"
**
6. Hamylton Porter
"That's some real Church singing! !!!! They don't do it like that much anymore. That real touch the soul!!! AMEN!"
****
Thanks for visiting pancocojams.
Visitor comments are welcome.