Monday, October 5, 2009
Hallelujah I'm a-Travelling
Melody: "Hallelujah, I'm a Bum" (which was itself adapted from an older hymn)
Words: Anonymous, except for verse 4, by James Foreman, ca. 1960
Rise Up Singing chapter: Freedom, p.60
E - - - / - - B7 - / E - - B7 / E A B7 E
I switch to the first B7 a little later, like this:
E - - - / - - - B7 / E - - B7 / E A B7 E
Same deal.
Stand up and rejoice, a great day is here
We are fighting Jim Crow and the victory's near
Hallelujah, I'm a travelin', hallelujah, ain't it fine?
Hallelujah, I'm a-traveling down freedom's main line!
I read in the news the Supreme Court has said
"Listen here, Mr. Jim Crow, it's time you was dead"
Hallelujah, I'm a travelin', hallelujah, ain't it fine?
Hallelujah, I'm a-traveling down freedom's main line!
The judges declared in Washington town
"You white folks must take that old Jim Crow sign down"
Hallelujah, I'm a travelin', hallelujah, ain't it fine?
Hallelujah, I'm a-traveling down freedom's main line!
I'm paying my fare on the Greyhound bus line
I'm riding the front seat to Nashville this time
Hallelujah, I'm a travelin', hallelujah, ain't it fine?
Hallelujah, I'm a-traveling down freedom's main line!
Columbia's the gem of the ocean, they say
We're fighting Jim Crow in Columbia today
Hallelujah, I'm a travelin', hallelujah, ain't it fine?
Hallelujah, I'm a-traveling down freedom's main line!
I hate Jim Crow and Jim Crow hates me
And that's why I'm fighting for my liberty
Hallelujah, I'm a travelin', hallelujah, ain't it fine?
Hallelujah, I'm a-traveling down freedom's main line!
Different lyrics can be found in the Socialist Songbook (p.68) hosted online here: http://www.hengstrom.net/songbook/68....
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Hi Matt! Thanks so much for this video! I recently watched the Freedom Riders movie on PBS (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/freedomriders/) and this song runs throughout the video. I've had it in my head for the last few days and was hoping to hear it again and learn the lyrics. So grateful to find your blog!
ReplyDeleteAll the best to you,
Emily
That's funny! I just watched the same video and was also looking for the lyrics. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteDOes anyone know where I can find an original version of this song to purchase? (can;t find it on smithsonian folkways etc.)
ReplyDelete