I Shall Not Be Moved is a song I grew up singing in church-one I always enjoyed. I knew it was old-but never gave it any more thought than that.
Reading up on the song-I discovered it is very old-some folks believe it is a Negro Spiritual-hailing from the slave camps. But, no one really knows who wrote it-another one of those songs that was passed down through the generations by the family circle of music until someone recorded it to paper.
Another tidbit about the song-it has been used as a political anthem of sorts during periods of unrest in our nation. The song was used by activists of the Labor Movement as well as the Civil Rights Movement-even Aunt Bee used the song to protect the trees of Mayberry.
As so many other old songs-the words are simultaneously meaningful, easy to understand, and catchy-so it’s easy to see why I Shall Not Be Moved has lasted through the years.
To wrap up my series on Spring Water-this week’s Pickin’ & Grinnin’ In The Kitchen Spot features I Shall Not Be Moved-a toe tapping song about water.
Hope you enjoyed the toe tapping-and I hope you’ve enjoyed the series on Spring Water.
Tipper
Hello Tipper,
I just love you and your family. And what a wonderful song.
I knew old Jamaican women who would sing this song (with a Ska, mento, or sometimes reggae beat. I LOVED hearing it. And so joyful!
It reminded me of grandma’s little church in Fairdealing a lifetime ago.
Anyway, I’m sure about the slaves singing it as that’s what I was told.. I
I just wanted to confirm that for you.
God bless you with continued success and keep up the good work!
I sure do enjoy your shows.
You all sounded so good together. Tipper, I never realized that you played too. You should be in on more of these girl! I was tapping my foot and singing right along. Thanks for making my day brighter. xxoo
Tipper, you prove the talent isn’t just in the menfolks in your family. You are smart and talented too.
Next time, we want you in the video.
Love your blog.
Momma played bass, Pappy sang tenor, even little brother would join right in there.
Johnny Cash and June would have appreciated your music, as I do.
Perfect bass, Tipper.
Tipper: What a great song to finish up your spring series. I do remember the song and it does speak to me on several things from the mountains. The trees that stood near the little spring feed creeks would grow with the constant water source. I would like to say that whoever set that camera up missed half the band and I wanted to see the bass player putting out the great sound.
Sounded GREAT!! Is there nothing you can’t do?
Tipper your bass sounded great! That has always been one of my favorite songs. The harmony of your father and brother is just beautiful. Paul has an amazing voice. There is a song that comes to my mind that I’d love to hear him sing. I’m not sure if I remember the correct name of it, but I think it’s “Everything But Love” by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. I’ll have to dig around and unpack the rest of my cds to be sure of the name. Anyway, it’s truly a privilege to hear you all play. Thank you.
I liked it a lot. I really enjoyed this series of yours. I wish I could say that I heard your bass, but I am not so musically inclined to pick out what is what, I just know it all sounds good together. Dirt would be able to though, when he gets back from shearing sheep I’ll have him listen. But for me, I just sit back and enjoy! Thanks for providing me with the entertainment!
once again I have a lump in my throat….BIG TIGHT HUGS FULL OF BLESSING!!
I always love to hear your dad and brother play and sing. What a treat! We got to hear you playing bass. Sounded good! You have a very talented family. Do you sing too?
Once again, it is such a delight to stop by to read and listen! Just love it! blessings,Kathleen
That was great, Tipper, and I could hear your bass! I remember singing that song in church, growing up, and it was always one of my favorites. The words are meaningful, and the tune is catchy.
Love that song. You did a good job, Tipper. I was just in my youngest son’s bedroom and he was trying to do a little picking.
Oh, I liked that song–I haven’t heard it in ages. I’m sorry we couldn’t see you, too. Maybe next time? The series on spring water was very interesting.
That was great!!! A toe-tapper for sure!!
It’s good to hear a good old hymn or spiritual any day of the week. I just wish so many of our churches hadn’t abandoned them in favor of choruses. We are doing our children a great disservice by not teaching them the great old hymns. Pappy
I, too, love that song. And I loved y’all rendition of it. Your bass sounds awesome.
Tipper, I know that song it’s about us, us the Appalachian people our steadfast self reliance—we will not be moved!
Thanks so much for this series on the mountain water God gave us. Hope you’ll do more series in the future.
Oh yes, I sang this song many times in church and listened to my mom sing it around the house…and my grandmother! I still like it.
Tipper, thanks for all the spring stories , you sure tell a good story , do you ever go to the libary and tell your stories to the kids there , I’ll bet they would love to have you stop by , but then again you are probably so busy what with the blog and picking and a grinning , I never knew you played to, you are quite the gal. cousin Malcolm
I heard ya, too! How long have you been playin’? Your purty good. Guess you had good teachers, too, huh?
Your gonna have to come down here and give The Captain some lessons!
***clapping***
‘K…now ya’ll done it…it’s in my head and Hubby will wonder why I’m bustling around this house singing I Shall Not Be Moved…LOL…I do think he was getting a bit tired of “If I knew you were coming I woulda baked a cake”…Lawsy, I was gittin tired of it too ;D
Loved your Spring Water series and think this song was the best match to it!
PS…I’m oh so jealous of anyone that can play an instrument…alls I can play is a radio, sadly!
I heard it! You done good. Were you singing too? I thought I heard a different harmony. Very enjoyable.
have a real fascination with old hymns – the spirituals and a lot of the Wesley stuff are among my favorites. As a theatre guy, I always wanted to put together a show that us entirely old church songs. Cool info on “I Shall Not Be Moved.” I love this stuff.