I Shall Not Be Moved
Charley Patton Lyrics
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I shall not, I shall not be moved.
Like a tree planted by the water, I shall not be…
On my way to glory, I shall not be moved
On my way to glory, I shall not be moved
Like a tree planted by the water, I shall not be moved.
I shall not, I shall not be moved.
Like a tree that’s planted by the water, I shall not be moved.
O [?], I shall not be moved.
O [?] I shall not be moved
Like a tree planted by the water, I shall not be moved
O brother, I shall not be moved
O brother, I shall not be moved
Like a tree that’s planted by the water, I shall not be moved
On my way to heaven, I shall not be moved.
On my way to heaven, I shall not be moved
Like a tree planted by the water, I shall not be moved.
Oh sisters, I shall not be moved.
Oh sisters, I shall not be moved
Like a tree planted by the water, I shall not be moved.
I shall not, I shall not be moved.
I shall not, I shall not be moved.
Like a tree that’s planted by the water, I shall not be moved.
O [?], I shall not be moved.
O [?] I shall not be moved
Like a tree planted by the water, I shall not be moved.
I shall not, I shall not be moved.
I shall not, I shall not be moved.
Like a tree that’s planted by the water, I shall not be moved.
PLEASE NOTE [?] designates a word or phrase that this transcriber cannot determine.
Charley Patton’s song “I Shall Not Be Moved” is a gospel tune that emphasizes the singer's unshakable faith and determination. The song begins with a repeated line, "Shall not, I shall not be moved," which sets the tone for the rest of the song. The repetition of this line helps to emphasize the singer's strength and resolve. The metaphor of a tree planted by water suggests a deep-rooted faith and a steadfast nature. The tree represents the singer, who will not be moved from their beliefs or their path, no matter what challenges they may face.
As the song progresses, the singer addresses various groups of people, including brothers, sisters, and even the Lord himself. Each time the singer repeats the phrase "I shall not be moved," it becomes more powerful, reinforcing the singer's resolve to stay true to their beliefs. The song's message is clear: the singer will not be swayed or discouraged, even in the face of adversity. The powerful repetition of the phrase "I shall not be moved" gives the song a sense of urgency and strength.
Overall, "I Shall Not Be Moved" is a powerful and uplifting gospel tune that emphasizes the importance of staying true to one's beliefs. The song's repeated message serves as a reminder to the listener that, no matter what challenges they may face, they too can stand strong and remain steadfast in their faith.
Line by Line Meaning
…Shall not, I shall not be moved.
I will not waver or falter, I will remain steadfast.
Like a tree planted by the water, I shall not be…
I will stand firm and unmovable, unshaken by any force or circumstance, like a tree planted by a life-giving source of water.
On my way to glory, I shall not be moved
As I journey towards my ultimate salvation and redemption, I will not be deterred or swayed from my path.
O lordy, I shall not be moved.
O my Lord, I declare my unshakeable will to remain strong and unmovable in my faith and convictions.
O [?], I shall not be moved
O [unknown person], I assert my determination to remain resolute and steadfast, just like a tree planted by a source of water.
O brother, I shall not be moved
O my brother, I declare my unwavering commitment to stay strong and immovable amidst the trials and tribulations of life.
On my way to heaven, I shall not be moved.
As I strive towards my eternal home in heaven, I remain unyielding and steadfast in my faith and beliefs.
Oh sisters, I shall not be moved.
O my sisters, I vow to remain unshaken and unbreakable in the face of challenges and adversities, just like a tree planted by the water.
I shall not, I shall not be moved.
I will not be swayed from my convictions or beliefs, and will remain firm and unwavering no matter what happens.
O [?], I shall not be moved.
O [unknown person], I will remain steadfast and unyielding in the face of any obstacles or difficulties, like a tree planted by a source of water.
I shall not, I shall not be moved.
For the remainder of my life, I will stay unmovable and unshaken in my faith and convictions, like a tree rooted by a source of water.
Contributed by Ian S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
kidcalabria
Charley Patton is the most influential musician of the 20th century. He was the first to play uptempo 3-minute songs with guitar and a 4/4 beat with great skill. His repertoire was vast, his lyrics were great, all later Mississippi bluesmen and Gospel artists like Pops Staples (The Staple Singers) learned from him and that's where Rock'n'Roll comes from. Thanks for posting this
Jason Nebergall
He's an absolute genius
Donald Beckett
Masterpiece and very haunting.
Jaap Bakker
Didn't know that this tune was this old, haunting...
MacIsaac-Crusoe-Books
they don`t know who wrote the song but think that it goes back to the active slavery era
VICTOR THE BIG SHOT RODRIGUEZ
On my way to glory, I shall not be moved
Best lyrics I’ve heard in a long time
Drew Badger
Beautifully haunting. ❤️
Jamil Norwood
2021... The fact that I 1st heard this as a gospel house tune in a bar over 20 years ago blows my mind. Listen to Kenny Bobien's version with the same name & see if it resonates...
gwugluud 77
Rock & Roll from 1929!
a new bug
Inspiring lyrics