Although the Blind Boys of Alabama have been singing gospel music for more than five decades, it's only recently that the group has had the benefit of a major record company behind them. The founding members were Clarence Fountain, Johnny Fields, George Scott, Ollice Thomas, and Vel Trayler. The current group consists of Eric McKinney, Billy Bowers, Jimmy Carter, Joey Williams, and Donald Dillion.
From their inception in the 1930s, when all were boys, all members of the group except one were blind. They began singing when all were students, in the glee club, at the Talladega Institute for the Deaf and Blind in Alabama, but didn't begin recording until 1948. As a youth, Fountain heard the legendary Golden Gate Quintet on the radio; the early Five Blind Boys of Alabama took their musical cues from that group. The group began singing professionally as the Happyland Jubilee Singers, and for years only toured the Bible Belt in the Southern U.S.
Since 1948, they've recorded for a variety of small record companies, and had gospel music hits in the 1950s with "Oh, Lord Stand By Me" and "I Can See Everybody's Mother But I Can't See Mine". In 1950, after the death of one of their members, the group renamed themselves simply the Blind Boys of Alabama.
The group recorded first for the Newark-based Coleman Records label. Between 1953 and 1957, the group recorded for Art Rupe's California-based Specialty label. In the 1960s, the group's hard-driving gospel sounds were imitated by people like Bobby "Blue" Bland and Marvin Gaye. The group recorded extensively for the Vee Jay label from 1963 to 1965. In 1969, Fountain left the group for a decade to try to make it on his own, and the group re-formed with all the original members in the late 1970s.
They gained widespread success in 1988, when they starred in an Obie Award-winning Broadway show. According to Fountain, the group's high point was being on Broadway for 15 weeks with the musical Gospel at Colonus. The musical opened up new avenues to bookings for the group, and they began touring theaters and larger churches in the early 1990s, embarking on their first European tours as well. The group was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship in 1994. In 1994 and 1995, the group played festivals including the Philadelphia Folk Festival, the Beale Street Music Festival and the King Biscuit Blues Festival. The group also toured in Melbourne, Australia and the World's Fair, in Brisbane.
Mid-1990s television appearances included Black Entertainment Television's On Jazz, and even a cameo on Beverly Hills, 90210.
Since the turn of the century, founding members, George Scott (2005) and Johnny Fields (2009) passed away. Clarence Fountain remains the only living founding member. The group is still performing, under the vocal leadership of longtime member, Jimmy Carter. Releases by the group in recent years have been favorites at the Grammy Awards — they have won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album every year since 2002. The Blind Boys of Alabama were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2002. Their cover of the Tom Waits song "Way Down in The Hole" was featured as the opening theme for season one of HBO's The Wire. In 2008 they released Down in New Orleans, on which they were accompanied by such Crescent City legends as the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Allen Toussaint.
Founding members
Jimmy Carter – vocals
Clarence Fountain – vocals (November 28, 1929 - June, 3, 2018)
Johnny Fields (deceased) – vocals
George Scott (d. 2005) – vocals
Olice Thomas (deceased) – vocals
Vel Bozman Traylor (deceased) – vocals
Past members
Bishop Billy Bowers (deceased, July 2, 2013) – vocals
Caleb Butler – rhythm guitar
Samuel Butler Jr – rhythm guitar, songwriter and arranger, manager, second lead singer
Roscoe Robinson – lead vocals
Charles Porter - vocals
Lamont Blount (deceased) – band manager
Way Down in the Hole
The Blind Boys Of Alabama Lyrics
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You gotta watch your back
Well I beg your pardon
Walk the straight and narrow track
If you walk with Jesus
He's gonna save your soul
You gotta keep the devil
Way down in the hole
He's got the fire and the fury
At his command
Well you don't have to worry
If you hold on to Jesus hand
We'll all be safe from Satan
When the thunder rolls
We just gotta help me keep the devil
Way down in the hole
All the angels sing about Jesus' mighty sword
And they'll shield you with their wings
And keep you close to the lord
Don't pay heed to temptation
For his hands are so cold
You gotta help me keep the devil
Way down in the hole
Down in the hole, down in the hole
Down in the hole, down in the hole
Down in the hole, down in the hole
You gotta help me keep the devil
Down in the hole
The Blind Boys of Alabama's song, "Way Down in the Hole," is a spiritual piece with biblical connotations. The opening lyrics describe the need to be careful and watch out for dangers. The way that the songwriter puts it is to "keep the devil way down in the hole," which implies that one must avoid temptations and steer clear of Satan's influence. The lyrics go on to say that walking with Jesus is the only way to be saved, and if you hold on to his hand, you need not worry about anything else. The chorus is repeated throughout the song, repeating the message of keeping the devil way down in the hole.
The second verse reminds us that Satan has the power of fire and fury at his command. However, if we remember to hold on to Jesus' hand, we will be safe from temptation and sin. This verse goes on to say that angels will sing praises about Jesus' mighty sword, and they will protect us from the devil's temptations. The final lyrics emphasize that we should not heed temptations because Satan's hands are so cold. Therefore, we all must help each other to keep the devil way down in the hole.
In summary, "Way Down in the Hole" is a brilliant piece of spiritual music that encourages listeners to stay on the path of righteousness and keep the devil at bay by following Jesus. The lyrics promote the belief that we can all help each other to avoid temptation and sin.
Line by Line Meaning
When you walk through the garden
As you journey through life, you need to be aware of your environment.
You gotta watch your back
Be cautious of evil lurking behind you.
Well I beg your pardon
Pardon me for interrupting but I need to share this message.
Walk the straight and narrow track
Be steadfast in your faith and follow the righteous path.
If you walk with Jesus
By walking with Jesus, your soul can be saved.
He's gonna save your soul
Jesus will rescue your soul.
You gotta keep the devil
You need to keep the devil at bay.
Way down in the hole
Far away from you and your life.
He's got the fire and the fury
The devil has destructive power and rage within him.
At his command
He controls these forces, and they do his bidding.
Well you don't have to worry
You don't have to fear anything if you hold on to Jesus’ teachings.
If you hold on to Jesus hand
If you hold on to Jesus’ teachings and guidance, there is nothing to fear.
We'll all be safe from Satan
If we hold tight to Jesus, He will protect us from Satan.
When the thunder rolls
Even when life’s storms confront us.
We just gotta help me keep the devil
We need to be vigilant and cautious of the devil.
All the angels sing about Jesus' mighty sword
The angels praise Jesus’ abilities to fight for us against the devil.
And they'll shield you with their wings
Angels protect us from evil with their wings.
And keep you close to the lord
The angels ensure we're secure and close to God.
Don't pay heed to temptation
Don't submit to the lies the devil tells or give into temptation of sin.
For his hands are so cold
Satan's intentions and actions are evil and malignant.
Down in the hole, down in the hole
Far far away, into the abyss.
You gotta help me keep the devil
We must be mindful of the devil and keep him away.
Down in the hole
Far Removed, deep in the abyss.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: THOMAS ALAN WAITS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind