IF I HAD MY WAY I'D TEAR THE BUILDING DOWN

Created on 16/04/2002
Latest update on 15/01/2024

Artist: Rev. T.E. Weems
Author: traditional
Label: Document
Year: 1927

With Bible lyric lines from the Book of Judges 13-16; popular 19th century negro spiritual. Recorded in Atlanta, Georgia. Reissued on Document cd Preachers And Congregations Vol. 7.

Covers:

1927:

Blind Willie Johnson

1927:

Rev. J.M. Gates [as Samson And The Woman]

1933:

Mrs. L.C. Gatlan [as Delilah]

1938:

Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet [as Sampson and one year later as If I Had My Way]

1956:

Rev. Gary Davis [and in '60 as Samson & Delilah (claimed he dreamed these lyrics)]

1962:

Dave Van Ronk

1962:

Clara Ward Singers

1962:

Peter, Paul & Mary [as Samson & Delilah on their debut album; Rev. Gary Davis bought himself a house with the royalties]

1965:

Staple Singers

1973:

Dorothy Love Coates

1977:

Grateful Dead [as Samson & Delilah]

1985:

Blasters [idem]

1996:

Big Sugar

1997:

Evan Johns

2004:

Greg Brown [as Samson]

2006:

Bruce Springsteen [as Samson & Delilah]

2006:

Little Axe

2010:

Robert Randolph

2012:

Rory Block [as Samson & Delilah]

Variation on gospel My Soul Is A Witness, first recorded by the Fisk University Jubilee Singers in 1911, the Paramount Jubilee Singers in 1923 and Arizona Dranes in 1926.

Contact


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)

info@originals.be

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