Bessie Jones and Georgia Sea Island Singers - O Death

[@gafriendship]

I miss my great grandmother. She taught us all of these song. She passed when i was 13

[@higherlearning8348]

I'm so appreciative of my roots. Her voice is beautiful.

[@Bh-jf2bu]

As a 🇲🇽🇺🇸 from L.A. I appreciate good music like this! Love it

[@sidneybarrett8941]

Playing this Monday morning on KNCE-FM.

[@TheBWJohnson]

Excellent. We need more stuff like this played over the radio. Keep it coming...

[@1954shadow]

So many times, the phone would ring after midnight, and the person on the other end would inform my parents that one of our elderly relatives, had just passed over.

[@NelsonChubby]

My favourite music is Gospel Music, you can feel the Holy Spirit in each song when they pour their souls into their music.

[@coravisser3846]

I do appreciate this of her whe she was singing this and for ever i will have respect for her.ALWAYS,

[@TheBWJohnson]

Agreed. As we all should. The ones who know, know but the mainstream has overlooked a giant. You'd think with all of these so-called documentaries that someone would have enough sense to just put something together and let her tell/sing her story and those on St. Simons. It's there.

[@coravisser3846]

@@TheBWJohnson True it is there.Thank you The BWJohnson have a fine day.

[@jorgeparedeszanchez1194]

bueno clasicos bendiciones

[@juanbetancourtg68]

Best rendition.

[@Eric-yj7fs]

This song, and all it's remakes, brings tears to my eyes.

[@1odie2]

O Death is one of my favorite folk songs, this is a really unique version I like.

[@nevillegriffiths4395]

So, so Good, Only a Dream

[@brianmiller2739]

In only a few years

[@michaeldeanmcdaniel4427]

Totally magnificent!

[@CAROLINEAIKEN]

I would love to see the ancestors of these wonderful people get royalties...who never got them in the first place. They are living in Brunswick, GA.

[@jackieblue787]

Wow.

[@CAROLINEAIKEN]

I grew up with Bessie on St SImons. She lived right down the road from us and I would ride my bike and visit with her on her porch. Emma Lee Ramsey, a member of the Sea Isalnd Singers, raised me. I believe this is Emma Lee's voice on Oh Death. Bessie sang Turtle Dove, and you can hear the difference.

[@rubyjames3105]

oh girl, i grew up with crystal clear mountain waters in Canada and i would trade you!

[@pygmygodeus9450]

That’s really interesting. I’ll listen to Bessie Smith’s Turtle Dove and compare. Thanks for your comment. Nothing beats firsthand experience.

[@pygmygodeus9450]

Listened to a bunch of Bessie Jones, including Turkle Dove-after reading your comment. To me the phrasing in this is similar to Bessie Jones in I’m A Rolling... But now you’ve got me so curious and interested in both these singers, so thanks.

[@sidneybarrett8941]

I used to see you play when I lived in Atlanta, back when I played with Cass Kennedy. Hope all is well with you!

[@CAROLINEAIKEN]

wow! Hi! @@sidneybarrett8941

[@ibrake4butterflies]

Thank you for the story in your description and thank you for the lyrics. I like walking around old cemeteries. It always feels peaceful. I read the headstones, don't ever step on no graves and never ever felt anything but serenity being there. I think they like a visit. Where I live now I don't have that kind of access to them. I always think " They have nothing to worry bout anymore. RIP."

[@TheBWJohnson]

+ibrake4butterflies every post sounds more and more like we have a few things in common. always got to keep learning but never forget we can't take it with us and give a little respect to those that came before... just not around midnight. serenity can turn into something else all together...

[@ibrake4butterflies]

+TheBWJohnson really? how do you know? if that something else is what i think it is I'm good...really? sheesh

[@TheBWJohnson]

+ibrake4butterflies same way as you. going down the road. sometimes the wrong path leads you to the right...

[@ibrake4butterflies]

Just now 6/16/2020 seeing this comment and YESSS I do believe you’re onto something there bout the wrong 😉being right (in that context anyway) ☮️

[@MyMoppet52]

There is Oh, Death in mountain music & bluegrass also. (In the mountains of West Virginina). There are a few different verses that I've heard. She has many more verses. I love her voice! It is just wonderful. Thank you.

[@ibrake4butterflies]

That's the version I'm used to hearing. Appalachian folk songs. This version is a wonder.

[@michaelcraig9449]

The blues and the mountain music country and bluegrass is the real stuff!

[@gafriendship]

This was a spiritual durning the time of hangings

[@Slosongz]

What a beautiful voice. My father's family is from St Simons too.

[@brendahawkins3965]

Hi would love to know what you think of my 17 year old grandsons cover of this kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIi7gpV-i8mBfM0

[@andrewclack4881]

reminds me of SON HOUSE -JOHN THE REVELATOR

[@diana7043]

I love this rendition

[@shawngraham2705]

Hadn't heard this since I was little boy growing up in Alabama.

[@Vonwolfgang2011]

Absolutely AWESOME!!!!

[@ibrake4butterflies]

I'm used to hearing the Appalachian mountain folk version. This version is a wonder.

[@ibrake4butterflies]

You got that right. Soul is the ingenious ingredient.

[@gangland479]

Send me a link ??

[@ibrake4butterflies]

@@gangland479 kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5mpeoGHgMinp5I

[@ibrake4butterflies]

@@gangland479 kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGjUZoZ-g6l9d8U

[@rlsmith7792]

Yes...!

[@Sliptrail]

It took me some time too click "show more" and find the lyrics and the references to African voodo vs European medieval allegory. Thanks for posting them - I have heard the song many times yet missed some of the lines...And great version this is!

[@TheBWJohnson]

thanks, brother. great version indeed. you know, I've seen Ralph Stanley perform this song but what I wouldn't give to be able to see Bessie Jones. music that has no boundaries and will be as relevant until the end of time.

[@ibrake4butterflies]

I know this is an old comment but hey, these are old songs, I too knowing the history of voodoo and Europe. TheBW has done a great job here on his channel.☮

[@petitpotemusic]

amazing...

[@nancyfoix2197]

Ooh death Whooooah death Won't you spare me over ‘til a another year? Well what is this that I cant see With ice cold hands taking hold of me Well I am death none can excel I'll open the door to heaven or hell Whoa death someone would pray Could you wait to call me another day The children prayed the preacher preached Time and mercy is out of your reach I'll fix your feet so you can't walk I'll lock your jaw so you can't talk I'll close your eyes so you cant see This very hour come and go with me Death I come to take the soul Leave the body and leave it cold To drop the flesh up off the frame Dirt and worm both have a claim Ooh death Whooooah death Won't you spare me over ‘til a another year? My mother came to my bed Placed a cold towel up on my head My head is warm my feet are cold Death is moving upon my soul Oh death how you treating me You closed my eyes so I can't see Well you hurting my body you make cold You run my life right out of my soul Oh death please consider my age Please don't take me at this stage My wealth is all at your command If you will move your icy hands Oh the young, the rich, or poor How will like me no (?) No wealth no land no silver or gold Nothing satisfies me but your soul Ooh death Whooooah death Won't you spare me over ‘til a another year? Won't you spare me over ‘til a another year? Won't you spare me over ‘til a another year? O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:55‭-‬57 KJV O Lord, won't You tarry a little longer. So the fallen ones might get in.

[@brendahawkins3965]

Hi would love to know what you think of my 17 year old grandsons cover of this kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIi7gpV-i8mBfM0

[@marioriospinot]

Nice.

[@marlonkawalsingh8456]

I stole her music 🎶🎶🎶, for my new album, ❤❤

[@thephoenix3155]

This was sampled by Weiss for Man Gone

[@56BUICKRiviera]

Yeah

[@davidwingate]

Wikipedia has her discography..This is from"So Glad I'm Here" on Rounder.....

[@tesslopes-medina884]

does anyone know if there's a recording of Bessie Jones singing "Step Back Baby"?

[@CAROLINEAIKEN]

Alan Lomax Southern Journeys on Rounder records/Smithsonian archives.

[@SmackheadPedo]

This is more how imagine the song being sung, rather than the style Ralph Stanley uses.

[@l511695]

Top two versions of this ;- Bessie Jones and June Tabor, and I can't find the June Tabor one. Anyone help !

[@robertaranda4928]

I like this version of the song better

[@carolynjudd6116]

Strattling the fence

[@CAROLINEAIKEN]

?

[@CAROLINEAIKEN]

This is definitely Emma Lee Ramsey. member of the Sea Island Singers. 1960s