Taggart was a fairly typical itinerant performer of the '20s, and most of the available information on him was handed down in interviews from White, who first met him when he was known as Joel Taggart in Greenville, SC. White's description of the difference between the two tyrants has become famous. Arnold was "mean, honest mean." Taggart, on the other hand, was "tricky, nasty mean. " Furthermore, he was not really blind, something that puts him in a subclass of blind blues musicians who actually had some vision available to them. Taggart had cataracts and could "see a little," according to White.
Of more importance than what Taggart could or couldn't see was the fact he was noticed in 1926. The Brunswick-Balke-Collender company from Chicago, which was beginning a series of record releases under the Vocalion label, was keenly aware that similar series of so-called "race" records were selling like hotcakes. Many types of performers were recorded during the '20s, and among these stacks of historic sides were this label's first ventures into recording singing evangelists, basically the gospel equivalent of country blues players. Near the end of that year, Taggart became the first full-time guitar evangelist to cut a side. The material he recorded was a happy meeting between his obvious versatility as a performer and the label's desire to try as many approaches as possible to the hitmaking destination. Taggart recorded several vocal duets with Emma Taggart, who was most likely his wife. Alternative takes that were released much later from these sessions helped create a further revision in the opinion of this artist held by blues scholars.
Not discovered by the mass blues audience during the folk revival of the '60s as was fellow meanie Blind Lemon Jefferson, Taggart basically had to wait for the CD-driven thoroughness of the Document label to fully illustrate the amount of ingenuity and inventiveness he brought to each of his performances. He also recorded duets with James Taggart, assumed to be his son. Like many busy blues artists, Taggart cut corners around recording contracts by recording under other names, including the pseudonyms Blind Joe Amos, Blind Jeremiah Taylor, Blind Tim Russell, and Blind Joe Donnel. Some of this activity was an attempt not to fool record labels but the Lord above, who it was assumed might not approve of Taggart playing the "devil's music" and could be tricked by a pseudonym. Taggart's music is sometimes considered to feature some of the oldest roots of any country blues artist. This includes melodic and stylistic influences from the Civil War era, considered a time when black and white musicians were perhaps not as restricted in access to each other's musical traditions as they would become later.
Just Beyond Jordan
Blind Joe Taggart Lyrics
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Down beside the crystal sea
As we stand, a home in Heaven
Will there be one for me?
Oh, when my work on Earth is ended
When I sleep beneath the sod
There my soul shall sing with the angels
Blessed Jesus, shall thy guide me
Over life oceans, dark and wide
Blessed Jesus, shall thy guide me
Safely to the other side
Oh, when my work on Earth is ended
And I sleep beneath the sod
There my soul shall sing with the angels
'Round the blessed throne of God
I have wandered with my Savior
While my Lord and King was nigh
Yes, he showed me a crown in Heaven
Will my crown fit me well?
Oh, when my work on Earth is ended
And I sleep beneath the sod
Where my soul shall sing with the angels
'Round the blessed throne of God
Blessed Jesus, shall thy guide me
Over life oceans, dark and wide
Blessed Jesus, shall thy guide me
Safely to the other side
Oh, when my work on Earth is ended
And I sleep beneath the sod
There my soul shall sing with the angels
'Round the blessed throne of God
Blessed Jesus, shall thy guide me
Safely to the other shore
Blessed Jesus, shall thy guide me
Over my oceans, dark and wide
Oh, when my soul should rest and I'll then
Just beyond the side of Jordan
Blind Joe Taggart's song "Just Beyond Jordan" is a gospel song that speaks about the longing to find a place in heaven after life on earth. The song opens with a reference to the Jordan River, which in religious scriptures is often symbolized as the border between life and afterlife. The lyrics refer to the desire to have a home in heaven where the soul can dwell in peace.
The song's chorus emphasizes the role of Jesus as a guide and protector during the journey from life to death. The singer asks for Jesus's guidance over the dark and wide oceans of life to the other side, where the soul can rejoice with the angels around the blessed throne of God. Despite the anticipation of death, the lyrics express the hope for a crown that will fit well in heaven, which refers to the reward for a life well-lived on earth.
Overall, "Just Beyond Jordan" tells the story of a person with a deep faith in Jesus, who hopes to find peace and salvation in heaven after life's toil and struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
Just beyond the Jordan River
As I approach death, I wonder what is waiting for me on the other side, beyond the Jordan River.
Down beside the crystal sea
I imagine this place to be beautiful and peaceful, with crystal clear waters by my side.
As we stand, a home in Heaven
I hope that after my journey on Earth, I will find a home in Heaven, and stand among the angels and saints.
Will there be one for me?
I wonder if I am worthy of a home in Heaven, and hope that I will be accepted by the Lord.
Oh, when my work on Earth is ended
When my time on Earth is done, and I have fulfilled my purpose in life,
When I sleep beneath the sod
When my body rests in the ground,
There my soul shall sing with the angels
My soul will join the chorus of the angels in Heaven,
'Round the blessed throne of God
And I will be around the throne of God, surrounded by love and light.
Blessed Jesus, shall thy guide me
I pray to Jesus that He will guide me through my journey to the afterlife,
Over life oceans, dark and wide
Through the obstacles of life, both physical and spiritual, that are vast and uncertain.
Safely to the other side
I pray that Jesus will lead me safely to the other side of the Jordan, to the gates of Heaven.
I have wandered with my Savior
I have followed Jesus on my journey through life, and have experienced His love and guidance firsthand.
While my Lord and King was nigh
I have felt His presence with me throughout my journey, and will continue to trust in Him.
Yes, he showed me a crown in Heaven
Jesus has shown me the promise of a reward in Heaven, a crown that will be waiting for me.
Will my crown fit me well?
I wonder if I am deserving of this reward, and hope that I will be worthy to wear this crown.
Blessed Jesus, shall thy guide me
Once again, I pray to Jesus for guidance and protection as I make my way to the afterlife.
Safely to the other shore
I trust that Jesus will lead me safely to the other shore of the Jordan, and to my eternal home in Heaven.
Over my oceans, dark and wide
Through the trials and tribulations of life, both physically and spiritually.
Oh, when my soul should rest and I'll then
When my body has ceased to exist, and my soul is at rest,
Just beyond the side of Jordan
I will be just beyond the Jordan, in the promised land that Jesus has prepared for me.
Contributed by Aria T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.