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.
Keep on the Firing Line
Blind Joe Taggart Lyrics
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Keep on the firing line
If you love your Jesus
Keep on the firing line
On the battlefield for God
Lord, I′m working for the starry crown
Oh, loved ones, keep on the firing line
Keep on the firing line
Keep on the firing line
If you love your Jesus
Keep on the firing line
(Can't you sing it?) Keep on the firing line
(Can′t you sing it?) Keep on the firing line
If you love your Jesus
Keep on the firing line
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below
Oh, loved ones, keep on the firing line
Keep on the firing line
Keep on the firing line
If you love your Jesus
Keep on the firing line
(Can't you sing it?) Keep on the firing line
(Can't you sing it?) Keep on the firing line
If you love your Jesus
Keep on the firing line
On the mount Jehovah spoke
Out of his mouth came fire and smoke
Oh, loved ones, keep on the firing line
Keep on the firing line
Keep on the firing line
If you love your Jesus
Keep on the firing line
Keep on the firing line
Keep on the firing line
If you love your Jesus
Keep on the firing line
Blind Joe Taggart's "Keep on the Firing Line" is a gospel song with a clear message of perseverance and steadfastness in the face of spiritual battles. The singer encourages the listeners to keep fighting the good fight and to not relent, even in the midst of adversity. The repeated chorus of "keep on the firing line" serves as a call to action, reminding the audience to stay focused on their mission and to continue pursuing their goals with passion and commitment.
The song draws heavily on warfare imagery, suggesting that the struggle for spiritual salvation is akin to a battlefield. The lyrics exhort the listener to "work for the starry crown" and to remember that they are "on the battlefield for God". This language not only highlights the importance of the ongoing struggle for righteousness but also frames it within the context of a greater battle between good and evil. The call-and-response structure of the song further reinforces this idea, creating a sense of communal effort and shared responsibility.
Overall, Blind Joe Taggart's "Keep on the Firing Line" serves as a reminder to stay vigilant and focused in the face of spiritual challenges. The song encourages perseverance and dedication, highlighting the importance of maintaining faith and determination in the pursuit of spiritual fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Keep on the firing line
Continue your efforts for Jesus without wavering
Keep on the firing line
Persist in the face of adversity and danger
If you love your Jesus
For those who truly love and follow Jesus
On the battlefield for God
This life is a spiritual war for the glory of God
Lord, I'm working for the starry crown
I am serving Christ in hopes of eternal reward
Oh, loved ones, keep on the firing line
Encouragement to all those who share this mission
(Can't you sing it?) Keep on the firing line
A reminder to remind others to hold fast to the faith
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow
Glorify the Creator and Sustainer of all things
Praise Him all creatures here below
All of creation should exalt the Lord
On the mount Jehovah spoke
In biblical lore, God's word was given from mountains
Out of his mouth came fire and smoke
His words were powerful and terrifying
Contributed by Alyssa N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.