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
When the Saints Go Marching in
Golden Gate Quartet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes when the saints go marching in.
Oh Lord I want to be in that ever lovin' number
When the saints go marching in.
Oh, when the saints, go marching in,
Yes when the saints go marching in.
Oh Lord I want to be in that number
Oh yes, I had a dear old mother,
And if you should see her before I do,
Won't you tell her that you saw me coming,
I was struttin' straight on through
Oh, when the saints, go marching in,
Yes when the saints go marching in.
Oh Lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in.
The lyrics to the gospel hymn "When the Saints Go Marching in" by the Golden Gate Quartet are reflective of the Christian belief of the second coming of Christ and the resurrection of the dead. Throughout the song, the singer expresses the desire to be part of the group of saints who will join together in heaven when Christ returns. The first and second stanzas of the song simply express this sentiment of wanting to be part of that ever-loving number, while the third stanza adds personal elements to the song. The singer mentions a dear old mother, and asks anyone who sees her to tell her that they saw the singer coming, strutting straight on through. This stanza could be interpreted as a message to one's family and loved ones, telling them not to worry as the singer is confident they will eventually reach that heavenly realm.
The enthusiasm and uplifting message of the song have been inspiring people for many years, making it a popular choice for many gospel performances as well as a hit in other music genres such as jazz, blues, and rock. The song has been covered by a variety of artists including Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson, Dolly Parton, and Bruce Springsteen, to name a few.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, when the saints, go marching in,
Oh, when the righteous believers unite towards heaven
Yes when the saints go marching in.
Yes, when the devout ascend to heaven's embrace.
Oh Lord I want to be in that ever lovin' number
Oh Lord, please grant me the grace to be among those pure souls.
When the saints go marching in.
When the faithful ones swarm towards the gates of heaven.
Oh yes, I had a dear old mother,
Indeed, I had a precious mother who's passed on to the next life.
And if you should see her before I do,
And if by chance you encounter her before I have the chance,
Won't you tell her that you saw me coming,
Would you kindly inform her of my arrival
I was struttin' straight on through
That I entered with confidence and pride
Oh, when the saints, go marching in,
Oh, when the righteous believers unite towards heaven
Yes when the saints go marching in.
Yes, when the devout ascend to heaven's embrace.
Oh Lord I want to be in that number
Oh Lord, please grant me the grace to be among those pure souls.
When the saints go marching in.
When the faithful ones swarm towards the gates of heaven.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRADITIONAL, VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-qj2cg5sr2y
When The Saints Go Marchin In
Golden Gate Quartet
Oh, when the saints, go marching in,
Yes when the saints go marching in.
Oh Lord I want to be in that ever lovin' number
When the saints go marching in.
Oh, when the saints, go marching in,
Yes when the saints go marching in.
Oh Lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in.
Oh yes, I had a dear old mother,
And if you should see her before I do,
Won't you tell her that you saw me coming,
I was struttin' straight on through
Oh, when the saints, go marching in,
Yes when the saints go marching in.
Oh Lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in.
Songwriters: Van Morrison
When The Saints Go Marchin In lyrics © BMG Rights Management US, LLC
@chelitang
One of the best groups ever!
@r.monerris8876
Grandes, muy bien interpretada
@frankroy2005
I Love This Song Right Here.
Philippians 4:8
Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise, dwell on these things.
@bernarddamiels8600
Great song and I mostly certainly want to be in that number when they start marching in.
@robertoocana4639
¡¡ !Fabuloso grupo..!!
@charizard4321
I want to be in that number when the saints go marching in
@michelsandrel
EXCELLENT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@jaswinderahluwalia
superb all time.iconic...classic
@user-qj2cg5sr2y
When The Saints Go Marchin In
Golden Gate Quartet
Oh, when the saints, go marching in,
Yes when the saints go marching in.
Oh Lord I want to be in that ever lovin' number
When the saints go marching in.
Oh, when the saints, go marching in,
Yes when the saints go marching in.
Oh Lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in.
Oh yes, I had a dear old mother,
And if you should see her before I do,
Won't you tell her that you saw me coming,
I was struttin' straight on through
Oh, when the saints, go marching in,
Yes when the saints go marching in.
Oh Lord I want to be in that number
When the saints go marching in.
Songwriters: Van Morrison
When The Saints Go Marchin In lyrics © BMG Rights Management US, LLC
@ednik61
КЛАСС!!!