<… 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 Fit De Battle Of Jericho
The Golden Gate Quartet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jericho, Jericho.
Joshua fit de battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumblin' down.
Good Morning Sister Mary,
Good morning Brother Joe.
Gonna tell you 'bout old Joshua
You can talk about your king of Gideon.
You can brag about your man of Saul,
But there's none like good old Joshua
For to make those old walls fall.
They tell me that the spear of Joshua
Was well nigh twelve foot long
And upon his hip was the doubvle-edged sword
And the man was gospel born.
Up to the walls of Jericho
He marched with spear in hand.
"Go blow dem ram's horns loud and clear
"For the battle am in my hand."
Then the ram-sheep's horns began to blow,
So loudly did they sound.
Then all God's children shouted out
And the walls come a-tumblin' down.
The Golden Gate Quartet's song Joshua Fit De Battle Of Jericho is a traditional African-American Spiritual that tells the story of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho. The song begins with the repetition of the title line, "Joshua fit de battle of Jericho" which establishes the central theme of the song. The second line of the chorus, "Jericho, Jericho," serves to reinforce the rhythm and create emphasis. The next verse introduces the characters of Sister Mary and Brother Joe, who will carry the story forward. They are going to talk about old Joshua and the battle of Jericho.
The verse following the chorus contrasts Joshua with other famous warriors like the king of Gideon and the man of Saul. The lyrics suggest that Joshua alone had the power to make the walls fall. The following verse speaks of Joshua's weapons, the spear, and the double-edged sword, which were both magical and symbolized the power of the gospel. In the final verse, Joshua and his army approach the walls of Jericho with the ram's horns playing loudly. The people of Jericho hear the music, and the walls come tumbling down.
Overall, this famous spiritual is a testament to the power of faith and music in overcoming obstacles. Through the story of Joshua and the Battle of Jericho, the song encourages listeners to keep their faith, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
Line by Line Meaning
Joshua fit de battle of Jericho,
Joshua fought the battle of Jericho
Jericho, Jericho.
The battle was in the city of Jericho
Joshua fit de battle of Jericho
Joshua fought the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumblin' down.
And the walls of Jericho fell
Good Morning Sister Mary,
Greetings to Sister Mary
Good morning Brother Joe.
Greetings to Brother Joe
Gonna tell you 'bout old Joshua
I'll tell you about Joshua
And the battle of Jericho.
And the battle he fought in Jericho
You can talk about your king of Gideon.
You can speak of the King of Gideon
You can brag about your man of Saul,
You can boast about the man of Saul
But there's none like good old Joshua
But there is no one like good old Joshua
For to make those old walls fall.
To make those old walls of Jericho fall
They tell me that the spear of Joshua
I have heard that Joshua's spear
Was well nigh twelve foot long
Was almost twelve feet long
And upon his hip was the doubvle-edged sword
And he carried a double-edged sword on his hip
And the man was gospel born.
And he was born into the gospel
Up to the walls of Jericho
Approaching the walls of Jericho
He marched with spear in hand.
He marched with his spear in hand
"Go blow dem ram's horns loud and clear
"Blow those ram's horns loudly and clearly
For the battle am in my hand."
Because the battle is in my control."
Then the ram-sheep's horns began to blow,
Then the horns of the rams began to blow
So loudly did they sound.
And they sounded very loudly
Then all God's children shouted out
Then all of God's children shouted
And the walls come a-tumblin' down.
And the walls of Jericho fell down
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Derric Johnson
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