Children, Go Where I Send Thee" | Tennessee Ernie Ford | Dec 20, 1956

Tennessee Ernie Ford sings the popular Christmas song, Children, Go Where I Send Thee on The Ford Show, December, 20, 1956. The song is a traditional African-American spiritual that has become popular as a Christmas Carol.
The Weavers recorded the song in 1951. Then, in 1953,
Ruth Crawford Seeger included the song in her 1953 songbook, American Folksongs for Christmas, which helped establish the song as a Christmas carol nationwide.
Dozens of artists have covered the songs including Nina Simone, Johnny Cash, Ralph Stanley, The Fairfield Four, Kenny Rogers, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Natalie Merchant, The Kingston Trio, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Peter, Paul and Mary, Ricky Skaggs, Mahalia Jackson, Audra McDonald, Odetta, Hall and Oates, REO Speedwagon, Kenny Burrell, Nick Lowe, The Spinners, Ledisi, Neil Diamond, The and Clara Ward.
About Tennessee Ernie Ford
Born Ernest Jennings Ford on February 13th, 1919 in Bristol, Tennessee, Tennessee Ernie Ford has made an indelible impact on America and the world through his unparalleled accomplishments in radio, records and television.
Throughout his legendary career spanning over 50 years, Ernie Ford's early successes as a radio personality led to his signing with Capitol Records in 1949. Through 1976, he released a total of eighty-three albums on the label--and literally scores of single records, including his classic version of Merle Travis' timeless anthem to the working man, "Sixteen Tons"...at the time of its release, the fastest selling single in Capitol's history.
About The Ford Show
On Thursday night, October 4th, 1956, NBC premiered The Ford Show Starring Tennessee Ernie Ford.
As prime-time's # 1 half-hour variety show for five years, The Ford Show featured all the ingredients of the top variety shows of the day; Hollywood's greatest guest stars, top-of-the-line production, and terrific music. But one simple element separated it from all others...Ernie closed virtually every show with a hymn, a spiritual or a song of faith. For the time, it was a bold and powerful statement for a popular entertainer of Ford's stature to be making on live television, especially in the face of the initial objections from Madison Avenue and the network. But it was a statement that would become the trademark of his career, and in many ways, the mark of his life. It would earn him the distinction of almost single-handedly bringing inspirational music into the mainstream of American entertainment...an enduring legacy of the lasting impact that one man's expression of faith can have on millions of people.
www.ernieford.com/
/ tennesseeernieford
#tennesseeernieford #thefordshow #sixteentons

[@kayjones613]

Oh my gosh!!! That little dude just cracked me up!!! 😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[@SkyRadio001]

He’s rockin it the real star of the show

[@rochellecaffee1417]

I remember listening to him sing about God, on our black and white TV, at home, in Sacramento, California, when i was a very little girl..maybe 3 or 4 years old. I am 71 years old now, and remembering him is such a delightful “pastime” for me….He was such a wonderful example of the “love of Christ”, in a man. So grateful for the memories, now here, at Christmas time, in 2023.😊❤

[@davebrown8853]

Well said ---- and what a pure and wholesome time. Beautiful that you grew up these times. :-)

[@abigailharris7218]

This never fails to crack me up! The boy who walked off is also his son so it just makes it so much funnier!

[@sandradent65]

If this doesn't bring a smile to your face nothing will

[@chuckhodges5584]

How I wish we still had shows like this!

[@waynek3366]

I agree. What's on TV these days is nothing but garbage.

[@micky4fun]

@@waynek3366 I bet every generation in the last 70 years has said the same thing. What does that tell you?

[@waynek3366]

@@micky4fun When reality shows came in to play I think that's when the quality went bad.

[@klmegm197682]

I totally agree!

[@hazelanderson1479]

@@waynek3366 Definitely! I don’t watch TV anymore, as a) I’m too much of a skinflint to pay the licence fee, and b) there’s nothing worth watching anyway. It’s “Celebrity” this and that, plus excessive coverage of sports events, and the puerile rubbish that is reality shows. British TV used to be wonderful, but you’d be hard pressed to find something really worth tuning in for now.

[@janalea5551]

Gosh, what a blast from the past. TE Ford is a national treasure. That voice can never be duplicated. RIP ERNIE.

[@LifesPeachy321]

*Priceless!* His son Brion was adorable and could keep a rhythm too LOL

[@charlottefrancischine6392]

No one better. My mommas favorite❤❤❤❤

[@margaretpittman2914]

This is the Best Ever! I have gone to it several times to adore the sweetness in God's children, be it adult or child. Watching this makes me smile🙂

[@Buggy-su4oy]

Ernie was like Jim Nabors with using his drawl for comedy and then breaking out into a lovely song.😊

[@Buggy-su4oy]

Ernie looks amused by the boy enjoying the song.😊😊

[@rockywood21]

What a great voice he had

[@EmeraldHunter]

My Grandma showed me this and told me to watch the reactions of the kids and It was so adorable 😂 We plan to play this every year on christmas and it cracks me up everytime to see the kids driving this poor man crazy 😂👍

[@ramblingrose1540]

I bet he never would have imagined that in 2021, this clip would still be as funny as it was when it was made.. 🤔😂 Such a little sweetheart, enjoying his dad's music.. 😊

[@hazelanderson1479]

Sadly, Brion Ford died in 2008 aged 56.

[@ramblingrose1540]

@@hazelanderson1479 Oh, he died at such a young age... That's sad. 💐

[@hazelanderson1479]

@@ramblingrose1540 It is, but at least we have the benefit of KZbin where we can remember him and his father, head in hands, and enjoy his antics at our leisure.

[@ramblingrose1540]

@@hazelanderson1479 Definitely.. I love this scene.. Pure innocence and joy and that's a rarity these days.. 😊

[@jayneroper5592]

Watch Brion and his dad sing Rudolph the red nosed reindeer. It's brilliant.

[@leftyspade]

Grew up with five brothers, no sisters- I watch this and I'm a time traveler- That was us- Brilliant to all!

[@nadogrl]

That little boy keeping the beat was Ernie’s son, Brion, spelled the same as your name.

[@cindyphifer970]

Love this video. Wish we still had wholesome shows

[@sooz9433]

This ... was the beauty (or the curse ☺️) of live T.V.. My family never missed anything with Tennessee Ernie Ford whether it was his show, or a guest appearance on someone else's show... he was phenomenal.

[@Eddie_Schantz]

That kid that got up and walked off the set at 2:56 is what really cracked Ernie up. Great vid.

[@glen_88763]

the attention span of those kids is amazing

[@Jovocale]

Just saw this on UK TV tonight… 3 December 2023… love it!!

[@tmach2506]

And the whole time Ernie is thinking... mine is the best kid here,

[@sitresjolie2343]

My favorite YT video! TEF and his sweet little son.

[@rosew6819]

That is absolutely beautiful love it

[@Michael-ep1ll]

Thanks enjoyed it.. TEF. Was my favorite over 60 years ago ♾️🪖

[@user-yp1sp5og3c]

Amazing! God bless America!

[@SpiritedHearts]

So very sweet :)

[@lateshachurney5965]

The little boy at the end is like- I am outta here ! 😂

[@garygodwin2580]

Pure gold!! Fantastic!! 😂😂 So, so funny 👍🏼

[@debbiefletcher4781]

LOVE THIS.

[@JMcdon1627]

The funniest!!!

[@PoliteTia]

Too adorable!☺

[@ruthnealwood8659]

Thank you. Loved It

[@BonnieKetterman-qw8vd]

Love that pretty song

[@AmeliaEarhart537]

I had barely even started watching and was already laughing 😂

[@willfreese]

Ordinarily, I hate "heartwarming," but I'll make an exception for this video.

[@loveinaction2772]

So cute

[@revalationrevaltion9291]

My god my god where has society gone wrong today 2024???

[@lorriemcgee5562]

❤😂❤😂❤😂👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@fredmichaels418]

Here's one with the same little boy , happens to have been Mr. Ford's son Brion. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3jHmWCZptl7sM0 As near as I can tell, this was around 1957 ; sadly, Brion succumbed to lung disease in 2008. I believe the boy in front that signals that Brion is Coo Coo Is the oldest son Buck Ford .

[@stephenclemence5856]

Upstaged by a little boy. He was more into it than Ernie Ford..Loved it.

[@williamhardie2440]

That little boy is his son Brion..

[@krisluvsutube2684]

@@williamhardie2440 Hilarious!

[@dianabearden8576]

I wonder if Brion ever saw this

[@therealfronzilla]

Carl from Sling Blade as a kid?

[@trxxxtr]

When was this

[@JamesDHuff-sx6or]

think it was Christmas 1960

[@BB-iw4tp]

1956. Ernie was 37 😮

[@Quint1836]

I believe that's his son Brian

[@lloydrich522]

😂😂😂 Classic!