A succession of singles and albums established Dr. C.J. Johnson as one of the country’s foremost hymnologists. His recordings were at once anachronistic and refreshing at a time when gospel music focused squarely on hard-singing leads and heavy instrumental backing. Dr. Johnson’s commitment to the old time sound – straight congregational singing with occasional slaps of the tambourine – earned him an invitation to sing at the White House on three separate occasions.
One Morning Soon
C.J. Johnson Lyrics
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Fair thee well, fair thee well.
In that great a-gettin' up morning,
Fair thee well, fair thee well.
In that great a-gettin' up morning,
Fair thee well, fair thee well.
In that great a-gettin' up morning,
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child
A long way from home, a long way from home
A long way from home
Soon Ah will be done with the troubles of this world
The troubles of the world
The troubles of the world
Soon Ah will be done-a with the troubles of the world
Goin' home to live with God, Goin' to live with God
No more weepin' and a wailin'
No more weepin' and a wailin'
No more weepin' and a wailin'
I'm goin' to live with God
Soon Ah will be done with the troubles of this world
troubles of this world
troubles of this world
Soon Ah will be done with the troubles of this world
I'm gonna live with God
I'm gonna live with God
All my trials, Lord soon be over
If living were a thing that money could buy,
You know the rich would live
And the poor would die,
All my trials Lord, soon be over
There grows a tree in Paradise,
The Christians call it the tree of life,
All my trials Lord, soon be over
Too late my brothers, too late
But never mind
All my trials, Lord soon be over
In that great a-gettin' up morning,
Fair thee well, fair thee well.
In that great a-gettin' up morning,
Fair thee well, fair thee well.
Nobody knows the trouble I've seen
Nobody knows my sorrow
Nobody knows the trouble I've seen
Glory, Hallelujah
My home is over Jordon
Deep River
Lord I wanna cross over into campground
I'm gonna Ride the chariot in the mornin' Lord
I'm gonna Ride the chariot in the mornin' Lord
I'm getting ready for the judgment day
My Lord, my Lord
I'm gonna Ride the chariot in the mornin' Lord
I'm gonna Ride the chariot in the mornin' Lord
I'm getting ready for the judgment day
My Lord, my Lord
In that great a-gettin' up morning,
Fair thee well, fair thee well.
In that great a-gettin' up morning,
Fair thee well, fair thee well.
In that great a-gettin' up morning,
Fair thee well, fair thee well.
In that great a-gettin' up morning,
Fair thee well, fair thee well.
In that great a-gettin' up morning,
Fair thee well, fair thee well.
C.J. Johnson's song One Morning Soon is a medley of gospel songs and spirituals that speak to the longing for home and a release from earthly troubles. The repetition of "fair thee well" emphasizes the idea of departure or separation, while the references to mothers and home create a sense of nostalgia and yearning for a place of comfort and safety. The song begins and ends with the line "In that great a-gettin' up morning," which alludes to the Biblical idea of the resurrection on Judgment Day when believers will rise from the dead and go to heaven.
The verse "Sometimes I feel like a motherless child" expresses a sense of loneliness and abandonment, which is further emphasized by the repetition of the phrase "a long way from home." However, the song offers hope in the idea that believers will soon be done with the troubles of this world and will go to live with God. The repetition of the line "I'm gonna live with God" serves as a reminder of the ultimate goal and purpose of life.
The song also references the Tree of Life from the Christian tradition and the idea that all trials and troubles will soon be over, providing comfort and hope to listeners. The use of the phrases "Ride the chariot" and "getting ready for the judgment day" further emphasize the idea of preparing oneself for the afterlife.
Overall, One Morning Soon speaks to the human desire for a sense of belonging, safety, and purpose, while offering spiritual comfort and hope for the future.
Line by Line Meaning
In that great a-gettin' up morning,
Referring to the day of resurrection, the day when the Lord will return.
Fair thee well, fair thee well.
Saying goodbye to the world, knowing that there will be no more sorrow or pain after the resurrection.
Sometimes I feel like a motherless child
Feeling abandoned and alone, like a child without a mother.
A long way from home, a long way from home
Being far away from the comfort of home or family.
Soon Ah will be done with the troubles of this world
Looking forward to leaving behind the difficulties and pain of living in this world.
Goin' home to live with God, Goin' to live with God
Expecting to go to Heaven to live with God after leaving this world.
No more weepin' and a wailin'
Being free from the sadness and grief that come with living in this world.
I'm goin' to live with God
Going to be with God in Heaven after leaving this world.
All my trials, Lord soon be over
Stating that all the difficulties and hardships experienced in life will soon come to an end.
There grows a tree in Paradise,
The tree in Paradise is a reference to the Biblical tree of life.
The Christians call it the tree of life,
The tree of life is a symbol of eternal life in Christianity.
Too late my brothers, too late
Suggesting that it is never too late to repent and turn to God, even if it seems like the end of the road.
But never mind
Referring to not worrying about the past and looking forward to a better future.
Nobody knows the trouble I've seen
Feeling that no one understands the difficulties or struggles that one has gone through.
Glory, Hallelujah
An exclamation of joy and praise to God.
My home is over Jordon
Using the river Jordan as a symbol for crossing over into Heaven.
Deep River
A metaphor for the river of life, symbolizing the journey through life to the afterlife.
Lord I wanna cross over into campground
Expressing the desire to cross over into the promised land of Heaven.
I'm gonna Ride the chariot in the mornin' Lord
The chariot is a symbol for the journey to Heaven after leaving this world, with the morning representing the day of resurrection.
I'm getting ready for the judgment day
Preparing for the day when one will be held accountable for one's actions, either being granted access to Heaven or being sent to Hell.
In that great a-gettin' up morning,
Referring to the day of resurrection, the day when the Lord will return.
Fair thee well, fair thee well.
Saying goodbye to the world, knowing that there will be no more sorrow or pain after the resurrection.
In that great a-gettin' up morning,
Referring to the day of resurrection, the day when the Lord will return.
Fair thee well, fair thee well.
Saying goodbye to the world, knowing that there will be no more sorrow or pain after the resurrection.
In that great a-gettin' up morning,
Referring to the day of resurrection, the day when the Lord will return.
Fair thee well, fair thee well.
Saying goodbye to the world, knowing that there will be no more sorrow or pain after the resurrection.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Derric Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind