Artist: Fisk University Male Quartet
Author: traditional
Label: Columbia
Year: 1915
Negro spiritual predating the American Civil War. Became an anthem during the Civil Rights Movement. It's not about the mother of Christ, not about Mary Magdalene, it's about Lazarus' sister, who begged Jesus to wake her brother from the death.
Covers:
Southern 4 [on Edison]
Lead Belly [for the Library of Congress and in '48 for Folkways]
Frazier Family [Lomax recording]
Golden Gate Quartet [for the Library of Congress]
Pete Seeger [for Folkways and in '64 at Newport]
Caravans [vocal: Inez Andrews]
Swan Silvertones [leadsinger Claude Jeter's ad-lib "I'll be a bridge over deep water" inspired Paul Simon]
Stonewall Jackson [hit C&W]
Halifax Three [with Denny Doherty pre Mamas And Papas]
Soul Stirrers [produced by Sam Cooke]
James Brown [elements in Oh Baby Don't You Weep]
Justin Hinds [as Jump Out Of The Frying Pan]
Shirley Caesar [ex Caravans]
Aretha Franklin [knew the Caravans' version]
Paul Simon [melody and atmosphere in Love Me Like A Rock]
Taj Mahal [with the Pointer Sisters]
Prince [released in '18 on Piano & A Microphone]
Long John Baldry [on a Lead Belly tribute]
Also by Roger McGuinn, Aaron Neville and Bobby Darin.
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)