<… 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.
Joshua
The Golden Gate Quartet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down
God knows that
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down
Good morning sister Mary
Good morning brother John
Well I want to stop and talk with you
want to tell you how I come along
I know you've heard about Joshua
He was the son of Nun
He never stopped his work until
Until the work was done
God knows that
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down
You may talk about your men of Gideon
You may brag about your men of Saul
There's none like good old Joshua
At the battle of Jericho
Up to the walls of Jericho
He marched with spear in hand
Go blow them ram horns, Joshua cried
'Cause the battle is in my hands
God knows that
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down
You may talk about your men of Gideon
You may brag about your king of Saul
There none like Joshua
At the battle of Jericho
They tell me, great God that Joshua's spear
Was well nigh twelve feet long
And upon his hip was a double edged sword
And his mouth was a gospel horn
Yet bold and brave he stood
Salvation in his hand
Go blow them ram horns Joshua cried
'Cause the devil can't do you no harm
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down
Up to the walls of Jericho
He marched with spear in hand
Go blow them ram horns, Joshua cried
'Cause the battle is in my hands
Then the lamb ram sheep horns began to blow
The trumpets began to sound
Old Joshua shouted glory
And the walls came tumblin' down
God knows that
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down
Down, down, down, down, down
Tumblin' down
The Golden Gate Quartet's song "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho" is a gospel hymn that celebrates Joshua's victory over the city of Jericho, as told in the Book of Joshua in the Old Testament. The song presents Joshua as a hero who led the Israelites to conquer the city of Jericho and bring down its walls, all by the grace of God. Throughout the song, the phrase "Joshua fit the battle of Jericho" is repeated, emphasizing the idea that Joshua was chosen by God to lead this battle and that he was the only one capable of bringing down Jericho's walls.
The song also mentions other Biblical characters, such as Gideon and Saul, but emphasizes that Joshua was the greatest of them all. The lyrics highlight his bravery, determination, and faith in God, as well as his physical strength (his spear, sword, and even his voice are mentioned). The song ends with a triumphant chorus and the sound of the ram horns that were blown to bring down the walls of Jericho.
Line by Line Meaning
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Joshua was suited for the battle against Jericho
Jericho Jericho
The specific battle location was Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down
As a result of Joshua's battle, the walls fell down
God knows that
Acknowledgement that God was involved in the battle outcome
Good morning sister Mary
Greeting to Sister Mary
Good morning brother John
Greeting to Brother John
Well I want to stop and talk with you
Desire to have a conversation with them
Want to tell you how I come along
Wishing to share personal updates with them
He was the son of Nun
Joshua had a father named Nun
He never stopped his work until Until the work was done
Joshua persisted until his work was completed
You may talk about your men of Gideon
Comparison to other warriors of Gideon
You may brag about your men of Saul
Comparison to other warriors of Saul
There's none like good old Joshua
Joshua was distinct from other warriors
Up to the walls of Jericho
Movement toward the walls of Jericho
He marched with spear in hand
Joshua had his spear ready as he marched
Go blow them ram horns, Joshua cried
Joshua instructed his army to blow the ram horns
'Cause the battle is in my hands
Joshua believed he had control of the battle
Yet bold and brave he stood
Joshua remained courageous throughout his battle
Salvation in his hand
Joshua believed he could save himself and his people
And his mouth was a gospel horn
Joshua's words were like a gospel message
'Cause the devil can't do you no harm
Joshua believed the devil had no power over him
Then the lamb ram sheep horns began to blow
The army began to blow the horns as instructed
The trumpets began to sound
The sound of trumpets was heard
Old Joshua shouted glory
Joshua expressed his thanks
And the walls came tumblin' down
The walls fell down
Down, down, down, down, down
Continuation of the walls falling down
Tumblin' down
The walls fell down
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BUDDE MUSIC PUBLISHING GMHB
Written by: ELVIS PRESLEY, UNKNOWN COMPOSER AUTHOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@son_oturum
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls came tumbling down
Hallelujah
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls came tumbling down
You may talk about the men of Gideon
You may talk about the men of Saul
But there's none like the good old Joshua
At the battle of Jericho
Hallelujah
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls came tumbling down
Hallelujah
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls came tumbling down
Up to the walls of Jericho
With sword drawn in his hand
Go blow them horns like Joshua
The battle is in my hands
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls came tumbling down
That mornin'
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls came tumbling down
Hallelujah
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls came tumbling down
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Jester Hairston
@squeezemyparticiple
I'm a barbershopper, so it's an incredible honor to be able to have immediate access to these recordings. This kind of music truly is the root of barbershop.
@robkunkel8833
I’m a 1925 Soprano sax open mic player. Guess what song will be in the middle of a solo. There’s a more New Orleans similar style version on YouTube by The Delta Rhythm Boys. Flashier. About the same era but crossover audience anticipated.
@chevydude658
Oh my goodness they are fantastic! WOW! I've heard them mentioned but I've never seen them. These are some classy cats.
@janlundekathleenginyard8607
My dad - Caleb Ginyard and my godfather Orlandus Wilson! All my love forever!
@MsAnna47
Really ??? that is awesome. Wonderful performance of this old favorite.
@wadisanaa
they were amazing.
@caydenkasongo3534
Is Caleb actually your father
@janlundekathleenginyard8607
@@caydenkasongo3534 Yes he is! My mum and he got married in London 1956!
@janlundekathleenginyard8607
@@lga4047 Thank you! /Kathleen
@bonganimiya1310
Thanks so much. My father sang in our Church quartet in the 70s and early 80s and they sang this very song and so happens this is the song I still recall them singing as a child. He passed away on October 2022. I think all their quartet has passed now. Im sure they were inspired by these ones - somebody threw our family records away. South African. 05.01.2024