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.

Roll Jordan Roll
The Golden Gate Quartet Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well, now roll Jordan, roll
(Why don't you?)
Roll, Jordan, roll
(Well)
I want to go to Heaven when I die
To hear ol' Jordan, roll
Well, now roll Jordan, roll
(Why don't you?)

Roll, Jordan, roll
(Well)
I want to go to Heaven when I die
To hear ol' Jordan, roll
O brother, you ought to been there
Yes, my Lord
A-sitting up in the kingdom
To hear roll Jordan, roll
Well, now roll Jordan, roll
(Why don't you?)
Roll, Jordan, roll
(Well)
I want to go to Heaven when I die
To hear ol' Jordan, roll
My sister, you ought to been there
A-sitting up in the kingdom
To hear them preaching of the elders
Talk about the river of Jordan
You got to live right then
You got to stay right then
You will die right
To cross the river of Jordan
Well, now roll Jordan, roll on
Roll Jordan, roll
(Well)
I want to go to Heaven when I die
To hear ol' Jordan, roll
You can hear them preaching in the morning
Hear them preaching in the evening
And if you sit and listen
They will surely help
Help you to live right
Help you to stay right
Help you to die right
And cross the river of Jordon
Well, now roll Jordan, roll on
Roll, Jordan, roll
(Well)

I want to go to Heaven when I die
To hear ol' Jordan, roll

Overall Meaning

The Golden Gate Quartet's song, Roll Jordan Roll is a gospel song that talks about crossing over the river Jordan, which is seen as a metaphor for crossing over from life to death. The chorus, "Roll Jordan, roll," is a call to carry one's self across the river of death, while also alluding to the famous spiritual, "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot." The lyrics advocate for a righteous life, as it is the only way to attain entry into Heaven, where one can listen to the river of Jordan. The song's use of repetition emphasizes the importance of living a righteous life, as it is the only way to attain entry into Heaven.

The song also references the elders preaching about the river of Jordan, encouraging the congregation to listen attentively and understand that a righteous life is necessary for crossing over. The use of first-person point of view in the lyrics, "I want to go to Heaven when I die," showcases an individual's desire for a good afterlife but also serves as a reminder that living a good life comes from one's own choices and actions. The lyrics also include a call and response pattern where the call asks "why don't you?", and the response is "roll Jordan, roll."

Line by Line Meaning

Well, now roll Jordan, roll
Let us roll, Jordan!

(Why don't you?)
Why are you hesitating?

Roll, Jordan, roll
Keep rolling, Jordan!

(Well)
Indeed!

I want to go to Heaven when I die
I wish to enter heaven after my death

To hear ol' Jordan, roll
To listen to the sound of the rolling Jordan River

O brother, you ought to been there
Dear brother, you should have been present there

Yes, my Lord
I agree, my lord

A-sitting up in the kingdom
Seated in the kingdom of heaven

My sister, you ought to been there
Dear sister, you should have been there

To hear them preaching of the elders
To listen to the teachings of the elders