thank you very much! I like your voice and songs very much also

goin over jordan means dying. “going over home” stands for going to heaven, where those that died before me already are: “I’m going there to meet my father… ..mother…” The “virgils keep” line I don’t really get either :-) It’s an old spiritual that was written and sung by slaves. They often sang about their hard lives this way, singing that after they die all will be well. I don’t know why, but these songs really touch me although I’m not convinced by the religion behind these songs.

Quote: BoHeartI don’t know why, but these songs really touch me although I’m not convinced by the religion behind these songs.
Same with me. You can sense the passion and emotion, even if the words don’t make perfect sense. I’m not a religious guy, and Jewish if I were, but some gospel music can really choke me up. Take 6 is one of my favorite groups.

Quote: BoHeartThe “virgils keep” line I don’t really get either :-)
Phew. Glad I’m not the only one. Well you sing it like you get it. I guess that’s what counts. :’ )

Quote: BoHeartThe “virgils keep” line I don’t really get either :-)
I’m making an executive decision: God’s redemption, of anyone, is so great that poets, both here on earth and in heaven, have written about it (“keep” tabs on it).

That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it :’ )

Quote: aliteralmind
I’m making an executive decision: God’s redemption, of anyone, is so great that poets, both here on earth and in heaven, have written about it (“keep” tabs on it).

That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it :’ )

Oh before you close the book on me, how about this :-)
maybe it’s a very poetic way of saying that God will prove (redeem) the the truth in the writings (keep) of Salomon (virgil) I think “keep” is used as a noun for treasure?

A lot of these spirituals play on the Jewish writings. The Jews where slaves and God freed them through Moses. So I always thought these lyrics to also be political. “Our fellow human beings and Christians may see us as slaves but we are free equals in the eyes of God” I have recorded another old spritual: “Didn’t my Lord deliver Daniel - and why not an every man” That to me is a very critical text toward the christian slave keepers.

Quote: BoHeartOh before you close the book on me…
Even if my book is closed, you will find a permanent BoHeart-bookmark on page 114. Feel free to use at anytime.

Quote: BoHeart“Our fellow human beings and Christians may see us as slaves but we are free equals in the eyes of God”.
Even better. Adds a nice element of angry, not just sad and resigned. I like the concept of “my life stinks, and I’m done trying to change it, but don’t think I’m going to pretend that it’s okay.”

A most interesting conversation, BoHeart. It was nice meeting you.

;-)) My pleasure! Great meeting you, too!