Just a Closer Walk with Thee
"Just a Closer Walk with Thee" is a traditional gospel song that has been covered by many artists. Performed as either an instrumental or vocal, "A Closer Walk" is perhaps the most frequently played number in the hymn and dirge section of traditional New Orleans jazz funerals. The title and lyrics of the song allude to the Biblical passage from 2 Corinthians 5:7 which states, "We walk by faith, not by sight"[1] and James 4:8, "Come near to God and he will come near to you."[2]
History
The precise author of "A Closer Walk" is unknown.[3] Circumstantial evidence strongly suggests it dates back to southern African-American churches of the nineteenth century, possibly even prior to the Civil War, as some personal African American histories recall "slaves singing as they worked in the fields a song about walking by the Lord's side.".[4] Songs with similar chorus lyrics were published in the 1800s, including "Closer Walk with Thee" with lyrics by Martha J. Lankton and music by William Kirkpatrick, which was published in 1885.[5] Some references in Atchison, Kansas credit an African-American foundry worker and vocalist, Rev. Elijah Cluke (1907-1974), for the current rendition of the song.[6] "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" became better known nationally in the 1930s when African-American churches held huge musical conventions.[4] In 1940 Kenneth Morris arranged and published for the first time the well-known version after gospel musicians Robert Anderson and R.L. Knowles listened to William B. Hurse direct a performance of it in Kansas City and then brought it to Morris' attention.[7] Morris added some new lyrics and a choral arrangement.[7] In the 1940s, a boom of recordings recorded the number in many genres, ranging from Southern gospel to jazz and brass bands.
| "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" | |
|---|---|
| Single by Selah Jubilee Singers | |
| A-side | A Walking In The Light Of God |
| Released | 1941 |
| Format | 78 rpm |
| Recorded | October 8, 1941 |
| Genre | Gospel |
| Length | 3:19 |
| Label | Decca 7872 |
| Writer(s) | Unknown |
The first known recording was by the Selah Jubilee Singers on October 8, 1941, (Decca Records 7872) New York City; with Thurman Ruth and John Ford lead vocal; Fred Baker, lead baritone; Monroe Clark, baritone; J. B. Nelson, bass vocal; and Fred Baker on guitar.[8] Rosetta Tharpe also recorded the song on December 2, 1941 (Decca 8594), with Lucky Millinder and His Orchestra.[9]
The revived interest in traditional New Orleans jazz resulted in multiple recordings of the number, including a 1945 session by Bunk Johnson's Brass Band featuring numbers Johnson had played in New Orleans before he left in 1915.
In 1950, it was a million-seller for Red Foley.
In 1958, an unreleased home recording was recorded by Elvis Presley,[10] made in Waco, Texas, on May 27.[11] Presley's studio version can be heard on Just a Closer Walk with Thee (2000) (Czech CD on Memory label).[12] Tennessee Ernie Ford made the charts with it in the late 1950s. By the end of the 1970s, more than a hundred artists had recorded the song.
Lyrics
I am weak, but Thou art strong,
Jesus, keep me from all wrong,
I’ll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.
Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.
Through this world of toil and snares,
If I falter, Lord, who cares?
Who with me my burden shares?
None but Thee, dear Lord, none but Thee.
When my feeble life is o’er,
Time for me will be no more,
Guide me gently, safely o’er
To Thy kingdom's shore, to Thy shore.
Notable cover versions
"Just a Closer Walk with Thee" has been covered by numerous artists. A partial list includes:
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See also
References
- ↑ "Just a Closer Walk with Thee | Details". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
- ↑ The Faith We Sing. Abingdon Press. 2000. p. 2158. ISBN 978-0687090549.
- ↑ Petersen, William J. The Complete Book of Hymns, Tyndale House Publishers , Inc. (2006), page 570 - ISBN 1-4143-0933-3
- 1 2 Collins, A. (2009). Turn Your Radio On. Zondervan. p. 142.
- ↑ W. McDonald, Joshua Gill, J.R. Sweney, W. J. Kirkpatrick, "Closer Walk with Thee" Songs Of Joy And Gladness, (Boston, McDonald and Gill, 1885)pg. 28 https://books.google.com/books?id=AWNpcokyYbsC
- ↑ "Your Top 10 Winners of the Wonders of Atchison County People". Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2013.
- 1 2 Encyclopedia of African American Music, Volume 3 (ABC-CLIO), pg. 83
- ↑ Dixon, Robert M. W. Blues and Gospel Records: 1890-1943, Oxford University Press (1997), page 786 - ISBN 0-19-816239-1
- ↑ Dixon, Robert M. W. Blues and Gospel Records: 1890-1943, page 912
- ↑ "YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
- ↑ Neale, David. Roots of Elvis, iUniverse, page 74 - ISBN 0-595-29505-3
- ↑ "Bands and Artists: P: Presley, Elvis: Discography: Just A Closer Walk With Thee". MusicMoz. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
- ↑ "Echos of New Orleans, Vol. 1 - George Lewis | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. 1943-05-16. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
- ↑ Dick Monda, Truth, Lies, Magic, and Faith Retrieved February 19, 2016.
- ↑ "Just A Closer Walk With Thee (trad.)". Bobdylanroots.com. 1969-02-18. Retrieved 2015-12-16.
- ↑ Gann, Kyle (1985-01-21). "Canadian Brass A Bold Mixture Of Music, Humor". The Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2015-12-19.