<… 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.
My Walking Stick
The Golden Gate Quartet Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't look my best I feel undressed without my cane.
Must have my walking stick 'cause it may rain
When it pours can't be outdoors without my cane.
If I ever left my house without my walking stick
Well it would be something I could never explain
Oh the thing that makes me click, on lovers lane
Be-bop-bop-de-la-dum
Be-bop-a-da-bum
Re-bop-be-a
Rop-a-de-bop
Rump-a-de-dum
Ra-da-da-de
Re-bop-bop-la-da-dum
Re-bop-be-de-a
Rop-a-de-bum
Rop-a-de-bum
Deet-de-de-a
Ra-da-da-dum
If I ever left my house without my walking stick
Well it would be something I could never explain
Oh the thing that makes me click on lovers lane
Would go for naught if I were caught without my cane.
The Golden Gate Quartet's "My Walking Stick" can be interpreted as a song about the iconic walking stick, which the singer cannot imagine leaving the house without. From the very first lines, the singer expresses a sense of dependence on his walking stick: "Without my walking stick, I'd go insane." He goes on to say that he cannot "look [his] best" nor "be outdoors" without his cane.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the walking stick symbolizes much more than just a handy tool for walking. It also serves as a source of confidence and identity for the singer. He claims that his strut on "lovers lane" would be meaningless without his walking stick: "The thing that makes me click, on lovers lane Would go for naught if I were caught without my cane." In essence, the walking stick is a crucial part of who he is.
Line by Line Meaning
Without my walking stick, I'd go insane
My walking stick keeps me sane and without it, I would feel lost
I can't look my best I feel undressed without my cane.
I feel like I'm not dressed up to my best without my walking stick
Must have my walking stick 'cause it may rain
I always carry my walking stick as a precaution for rain
When it pours can't be outdoors without my cane.
Since I need it to walk, I can't go outside in the rain without it
If I ever left my house without my walking stick
Leaving my walking stick behind is a mistake that cannot be justified
Well it would be something I could never explain
I would never be able to explain why I left my walking stick behind
Oh the thing that makes me click, on lovers lane
My walking stick is an essential accessory for my romantic endeavors
Would go for naught if I were caught without my cane.
Without my walking stick, my romantic pursuits would be in vain
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: IRVING BERLIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Erik954
This is the best song ever!!!
Ukulele Bob Loomis
Sweet! Buegrasser Tom Rozum does a good version of this song ...
Boris Grkovic
+++
Craig Evans
Probably about 1926?
Cayden Kasongo
@Adam Miller 1937
HolyHepcat
@Cayden Kasongo me too! they're amazing!
Cayden Kasongo
@Adam Miller I love this group I started listening 2 years ago
Adam Miller
1939