The group was formed by Roy Crain, who had launched his first quartet, which sang in a jubilee style, in 1926 in Trinity, Texas. In the early 1930s, after Crain moved to Houston, he joined an existing group on the condition that it change its name to "The Soul Stirrers." Among the members of that group was R.H. Harris, who soon became its musical leader.
Harris, also from Trinity, Texas, brought several changes to the Soul Stirrers that affected gospel quartet singing generally. He used a falsetto style that may have its antecedents in African music, but which was new to the popular jubilee singing style of the time. He pioneered the "swing lead", in which two singers would share the job of leading the song, allowing virtuoso singers to increase the emotional intensity of the song as the lead passed between them. That innovation led the Soul Stirrers, while still called a quartet, to acquire five members; later groups would have as many as seven but still consider themselves "quartets", which referred more to their style than their number.
The Soul Stirrers made other important changes in those years: ad-libbing lyrics, singing in delayed time, and repeating words in the background as both a rhythmic and emotional support for the lead singers. The Soul Stirrers dropped the "flatfooted" style of jubilee quartets before them and expanded their repertoire from spirituals and traditional hymns to the newer gospel compositions. The group also loosened the rigid arrangements that jubilee quartets had favored to permit individual singers within the group more space for individual development.
In 1936 Alan Lomax recorded the Soul Stirrers for the Library of Congress's American music project. They later moved to Chicago, where they broadcast a weekly radio show. Their nationwide touring gained them an even larger audience, as they delivered the emotional fervor that popular jubilee groups, such as the Golden Gate Quartet, did not.
The Soul Stirrers signed with Specialty Records, where they recorded a number of tracks, including "By and By" and "In that Awful Hour". Harris, the most popular member of the group, soon quit, however, in order to form a new group. He was replaced by the then-unknown Sam Cooke.
Musicians and critics today recognize Sam cooke as one of the founders of soul music, and as one of the most important singers in soul music history. He has been called "the king of soul" by many, and while some may dispute this title, Sam Cooke's legacy is an extensive one and his impact on soul music is undeniable. He had 29 Top 40 hits in the U.S. between 1957 and 1965. He is therefore seen by many as "the creator" of the genre. Major hits like "You Send Me", "Chain Gang", "Wonderful World" and "Bring It on Home to Me" are some of his most popular songs.
Cooke was also among the first modern black performers and composers to attend to the business side of his musical career. He founded both a record label and a publishing company as an extension of his careers as a singer and composer. He also took an active part in the Civil Rights Movement, using his musical ability to bridge gaps between black and white audiences.
I'm so glad
Sam Cooke And The Soul Stirrers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know the trouble don't last always
Oh, I'm so glad
I know trouble don't last always
Lord, I'm, I'm so glad, Lord
I know that trouble don't last always, now
Oh my Lord, oh my Lord
You better run, run oh sinner run
You better find you a hiding place
You better run, run sinner run
You better find you a hiding place
Oh run, run oh sinner run
You better find you a hiding place
Oh my Lord, yeah, Lord
What shall I do?
I'm so glad, I'm so glad, Lord
I know that trouble don't last always
Oh, I'm so glad
That hidden trouble is all soon go away
I'm so glad
I know that trouble don't last always now
Oh my Lord, oh my Lord
I wanna know
Well, I'm getting worried
What can I do? Getting tired, Lord
What can I do? I'm getting worried
What can I do?
You promised me Jesus
You'd be beside me
You promised me, Lord
You'd bring me out of trouble
You promised me, Lord
You'd be my friend now
You promised me, Lord
You'd stay right beside me
I'm so glad, so glad, Lord
I had a religion, Lord, anytime
Oh, so glad I got a religion and
I'm so glad, I'm so glad
I got a religion, Lord, anytime now
Oh my Lord, oh my Lord, I wanna know
Well, soon one morning, soon one morning
You know when death come creeping in my room
Oh, soon one morning, I'll be tried no, soon
Soon one morning
You know when death come creeping in my room, now
Oh, Lord, oh, Lord
What shall I do? What shall I do?
The lyrics of the song "I'm So Glad" by Sam Cooke & The Soul Stirrers express gratitude and hope in the face of troubles and worries. The repeated lines "I know that trouble don't last always" and "That hidden trouble is all soon go away" suggest that the singer has faith that their struggles will eventually come to an end. The call to sinners to "run, run" and "find you a hiding place" conveys a sense of urgency and encourages listeners to seek refuge from danger or temptation. The singer's plea to the Lord for help and reassurance reflects a deep sense of spiritual faith and reliance on God's promises.
Throughout the song, the singer's emotions shift from gladness to worry and back again. The verses "I'm getting worried / What can I do? Getting tired, Lord / What can I do?" convey a sense of weariness and distress, while the chorus "I'm so glad" brings a sense of relief and joy. The final line "What shall I do? What shall I do?" suggests that the struggle with troubles and worries is ongoing, but the singer's faith gives them strength to persevere.
Overall, "I'm So Glad" is a song of hope and faith in the face of adversity. It emphasizes the power of spiritual belief to provide comfort and support during difficult times, and encourages listeners to find refuge in God's promises.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, you know I'm so glad
I am truly happy about something
I know the trouble don't last always
I know that difficult times will not last forever
Oh, I'm so glad
I know trouble don't last always
I am extremely happy and I believe that hardships will pass
Lord, I'm, I'm so glad, Lord
I know that trouble don't last always, now
Oh my Lord, oh my Lord
I wanna know what shall I do
I am expressing gratitude to God for helping me through tough times, but I am still seeking guidance
You better run, run oh sinner run
You better find you a hiding place
You better run, run sinner run
You better find you a hiding place
Oh run, run oh sinner run
You better find you a hiding place
Oh my Lord, yeah, Lord
What shall I do?
I am giving advice to sinners to seek refuge and hide from their sins, but I myself am still unsure about what I should do
I'm so glad, I'm so glad, Lord
I know that trouble don't last always
Oh, I'm so glad
That hidden trouble is all soon go away
I am repeating my happiness and belief that hard times will pass, and that even the hidden difficulties will soon disappear
Oh my Lord, oh my Lord
I wanna know
Well, I'm getting worried
What can I do? Getting tired, Lord
What can I do? I'm getting worried
What can I do?
I am expressing my concerns to God and asking for help and guidance because I am feeling tired and worried
You promised me Jesus
You'd be beside me
You promised me, Lord
You'd bring me out of trouble
You promised me, Lord
You'd be my friend now
You promised me, Lord
You'd stay right beside me
I am reminding God of his promises to always be by my side and help me through difficulty
I'm so glad, so glad, Lord
I had a religion, Lord, anytime
Oh, so glad I got a religion and
I'm so glad, I'm so glad
I got a religion, Lord, anytime now
Oh my Lord, oh my Lord, I wanna know
I am expressing my joy and gratitude for having religion and the opportunity to turn to God at any time for support and guidance
Well, soon one morning, soon one morning
You know when death come creeping in my room
Oh, soon one morning, I'll be tried no, soon
Soon one morning
You know when death come creeping in my room, now
Oh, Lord, oh, Lord
What shall I do? What shall I do?
I am contemplating my mortality and expressing my fear of facing judgment when I die, and I am seeking advice from God on how to prepare for that moment
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROY CRAIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind