The definitive Afroamerican gospel group in the jubilee quartet style.
<… Read Full Bio ↴The definitive Afroamerican gospel group in the jubilee quartet style.

Founded as the Golden Gate Jubilee Quartet in Norfolk, Virginia in 1934 by A. C. “Eddie” Griffin, Robert “Peg” Ford, Henry Owens, and Bill Johnson, they began as a traditional jubilee quartet, combining the clever arrangements associated with barbershop quartets with rhythms borrowed from the blues and jazz.

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.

Alabama Bound
The Golden Gate Quartet Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm Alabama bound
I'm Alabama bound
And if the train don't turn around
I'm Alabama bound

Oh, don't you leave me here
Oh, don't you leave me here
But if you must go anyhow

Just leave a dime for beer

Oh, don't you be like me
Oh, don't you be like me
Drink your good sweet cherry wine
And let that whiskey be

Well your hair don't curve
And your eyes ain't blue

Well if you don't want me, Polly Ann
Well I don't want you

Overall Meaning

The Golden Gate Quartet's song, "Alabama Bound," is a classic blues tune that speaks of longing for home and not wanting to be left behind. While the title "Alabama Bound" indicates a desire to return to one's home state, the lyrics paint a slightly different picture. The singer is "Alabama bound" but only because they are on a train that is headed there, not necessarily because they want to be. The repetition of the chorus reinforces this idea that the singer is not enthusiastic about their destination - they are going because they have to.

The subsequent verses provide insight into the mindset of the singer. They implore their lover not to leave them behind, but if they must, to leave a dime for beer. This could be taken literally as a request for money to buy beer, or it could be seen as a metaphor for a small token of affection that would make their departure easier to bear. The next verse is a cautionary tale - the singer advises their companion not to be like them, to avoid the harsh realities of life by enjoying the simple pleasures like good wine and avoiding the harder stuff like whiskey. And the final verse is a rejection of someone who would not have the singer - if they don't want him/her, then the singer doesn't want them either.

Overall, "Alabama Bound" is a bittersweet song that speaks to the human desire for connection and belonging. It is a reminder that we are all searching for a place to call home, even if we don't always like where we end up.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm Alabama bound
I'm headed to Alabama

And if the train don't turn around
And if the train doesn't change its direction

Oh, don't you leave me here
Oh, please don't abandon me here

But if you must go anyhow
But if you still decide to leave

Just leave a dime for beer
Just leave me some money for a drink

Oh, don't you be like me
Oh, don't follow my example

Drink your good sweet cherry wine
Enjoy your quality cherry wine

And let that whiskey be
And avoid drinking the whiskey

Well your hair don't curve
Your hair is not curly

And your eyes ain't blue
And your eyes are not blue

Well if you don't want me, Polly Ann
Well if you don't love me, Polly Ann