The makeup of the group changed over the years, as some members were drafted during the war and new members were brought in to replace those who had retired or left to join other groups. William Langford joined the group when Griffin left in 1935 and Orlandus Wilson replaced Ford the same year. Clyde Riddick replaced Langford in 1938, Johnson left in 1948 to join "The Jubalaires" and Owens left the group later to become a preacher and solo artist. Riddick remained with the group until his retirement in 1995 and Wilson until his death in 1998.
The Gates had a broad repertoire of styles--from Owens' mournful, understated approach in songs such as Anyhow or Hush, Somebody's Calling My Name, to the group's highly syncopated arrangements in Shadrach, Meshach and Abendigo. Like The Mills Brothers of popular music, they would often include vocal special effects in their songs, imitating train sounds in songs such as Golden Gate Gospel Train. Langford often sang lead, using his ability to range from baritone to falsetto, while Johnson narrated in a hip syncopated style that became the hallmark for the group. Wilson's bass served as the anchor for the group and Owens harmonized with Langford and Johnson.
They achieved regional fame through their radio program in Columbia, South Carolina in the 1930s. They became nationally popular after John Hammond presented them as part of the 1938 extravaganza From Spirituals to Swing in Carnegie Hall, which led to a nationwide radio program, appearances at Cafe Society in 1940 and the opportunity to sing at Franklin Delano Roosevelt's inauguration in 1941, becoming the first black musical group to sing at Constitution Hall. They continued to be popular during World War Two, making several appearances in Hollywood films and singing secular music, including some unique popular front songs such as Stalin Wasn't Stalling that mixed humor with political commentary.
The quartet lost their preeminent position in gospel music after the war, when they faced competition from the newer hard gospel quartets. They continued in their old style, offering sharper political commentary in songs such as God's Gonna Cut 'Em Down, but losing much of their audience to quartets such as the Dixie Hummingbirds and the Soul Stirrers. The Golden Gates revived their career in 1955, however, when they toured Europe for the first time, where they became widely popular. The group moved to Paris in 1959 and has continued touring, primarily in Europe, since then. During his stint in the US Army, in Germany, Elvis Presley, who a huge admirer of their work since his early childhood, visited them backstage at "Le Lido", in Paris, and stayed to watch their entire show, staying also with them at the hotel "Prince de Galles".
The Golden Gate Quartet has been inducted into The Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 1998
Ol' Man Mose
Golden Gate Quartet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With a very crooked nose
He lived inside a log hut
And they called him ol' man Mose
One dark and dreary morning I knocked upon his door
I didn't hear a single sound
So I ain't gonna do it no more.
I believe ol' man, thatol' man Mose is dead.
I believe ol' man, I believe ol' man
I believe ol' man, that ol' man Mose is dead.
(Now you believe) Mose kicked the bucket
(You believe) Mose kicked the bucket
(You believe) Mose kicked the bucket
(You believe he's dead)
(You believe) Mose kicked the bucket
(You believe) Mose kicked the bucket
(You believe) Mose kicked the bucket
(You believe he's dead)
Now listen here,
I went round to the window
And I peeped in through the crack,
Inside there was an old man
Laying flat upon his back
I thought that he was sleeping
Head hung to the floor
He didn't make a single move
So I ain't gonna do it no more
'Cos I found out ol' man, I found out ol' man
Yeah, I found out ol' man, ol' man Mose is dead
('Cos you found out) ol' man
(You found out) ol' man
(You found out) ol' man
(You found out he's dead)
(You found out) Mose kicked the bucket
(You found out) Mose kicked the bucket
(You found out) Mose kicked the bucket
(You found out he's dead)
(You found out) Mose kicked the bucket
(You found out) Mose kicked the bucket
(You found out) Mose kickin' up daisies
(You found out he's dead)
Old Man Mose is dead.
The lyrics of the Golden Gate Quartet's song "Ol' Man Mose" tell the story of an old man with a crooked nose, who lives in a log hut. One dark and dreary morning, the singer knocks upon his door, but there is no answer. After peeping in through the window and finding the old man lying motionless on the floor, the singer comes to the conclusion that he is dead.
The song is relatively simple but offers an interesting commentary on the human condition of mortality. The chorus repeats the phrase "I believe ol' man, that ol' man Mose is dead," emphasizing the idea that we are all going to die one day. The use of repetition is an effective tool, emphasizing and drilling home the concept of death.
The song is also notable for its use of call-and-response singing typical of African American spirituals. The lead singer delivers a line, and the other quartet members respond with a harmonized refrain. This technique adds depth and complexity to the piece.
Overall, "Ol' Man Mose" is a lament for a man who has passed away, but it also serves as a reminder of our own eventual fates.
Line by Line Meaning
Now one time there lived an old man
There was once an old man
With a very crooked nose
His nose was noticeably crooked
He lived inside a log hut
He lived in a log cabin
And they called him ol' man Mose
He was nicknamed 'ol' man Mose'
One dark and dreary morning I knocked upon his door
One dark and gloomy morning I knocked on his door
I didn't hear a single sound
He didn't hear any noise
So I ain't gonna do it no more.
So he decided not to try again
'Cos I believe ol' man, I believe ol' man
I believe ol' man, that ol' man Mose is dead.
He believes that ol' Man Mose is dead
Now listen here,
I went round to the window
And I peeped in through the crack,
Inside there was an old man
Laying flat upon his back
He went to the window and saw Mose lying flat on his back
I thought that he was sleeping
Head hung to the floor
He thought that Mose was sleeping with his head hanging down
He didn't make a single move
So I ain't gonna do it no more
Since Mose didn't move, he decided not to try again
'Cos I found out ol' man, I found out ol' man
Yeah, I found out ol' man, ol' man Mose is dead
He found out that ol' Man Mose is dead
(You found out) Mose kicked the bucket
(You found out) Mose kicked the bucket
(You found out) Mose kicked the bucket
(You found out he's dead)
He discovered Mose died, using the expression 'kick the bucket'
(You found out) Mose kicked the bucket
(You found out) Mose kicked the bucket
(You found out) Mose kickin' up daisies
(You found out he's dead)
He discovered Mose died, using the euphemism 'kickin' up daisies'
Old Man Mose is dead.
Ol' man Mose is no longer alive
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LOUIS ARMSTRONG, ZILNER T. RANDOLPH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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