William M. Golden 1878-1934
William M. Golden was born in Webster County, Mississippi. Golden wrote many Gospel songs-a complete list can be seen here on the hymntime.com website. Cyberhymnal.com says Golden wrote most of his songs while serving time in prison.
Golden penned the song To Canaan’s Land I’m on my Way which is often called Where the Soul of Man Never Dies (at least in my neck of the woods it is). My list of favorite gospel songs is long-but Where the Soul of Man Never Dies is certainly in there somewhere. Another song Golden wrote is in my list as well-A Beautiful Life.
A few weeks ago the Blind Pig Gang had a request to post a video of Where the Soul of Man Never Dies. It’s one of those songs I can’t remember not knowing.
Wayne Erbsen tells about The Blue Sky Boys recording Where the Soul Never Dies when they were teenagers in his book Rural Roots of Bluegrass. Erbsen shares a quote from Bill Bolick, one of the Blue Sky Boys. In the quote Bill tells that the song was an early hit for him and his brother and that he was surprised no other performers sung the song until their recording was released. Bill also said they learned the song from their father who was a fan of William M. Golden.
Hope you enjoyed the song and the history!
Tipper
I have been looking for the CD for a long time. However, have not been able to buy it. It just touches my heart and wish I could get my hands on the music CD. Don’t want vinyl or download. I’m from the old school (actually Germany).
One of my most favorite songs—thanks for sharing your family with all of us.
This brings back many memories. I grew up singing both Where the Soul Never Dies and A Beautiful Life from as far back as I can remember. My father loved gospel music and led the singing often at church. We always sang whenever the family got together!
Tipper,
Thanks for the information on “Where
the Soul never Dies”. I never thought
about where it came from, but mama
taught me how to sing and play it on
the piano, years ago. Those two-part
songs are my favorite kind and I’ll
always remember the fun we had.
Paul and Pap did an excellent job with Chatter on the Mandolin. She
seemed satisfied that everyone was
doing their job. I could see and
hear you and Ben to the side
complementing that terrific sound.
A nice job indeed! …Ken
An enjoyable piece for a Sunday! Nicely done especially with the history!
Good job. That has always been one of my favorites.
I’m like you that song has always been there 🙂 I recently attended a family reunion and after the bounty of good food an impromptu music session started. In a short time the music became old gospel hymns and everyone was singing (whether they could carry a tune or not). I’m liking Pap getting into this one!
O my! One of my all-time, any-time favorites, and very well done, too! ‘Til now, it’s been Ricky Skaggs and Tony Rice, and the Chuck Wagon Gang’s versions that I favored, but now y’all have provided another version for me to choose among.
Has Paul gotten a new guitar? Does he really think that it would be an improvement on the Dove?
Great job on one of my old favorites. Genetic harmony works!
♫ I can’t remember not knowing. ♫ I love that phrase. If I’ve ever heard it, I can’t remember when.
Have always liked that old song and too have called it Where The Soul Never Dies.
beautiful!
Lovely song for a Sunday morning. As always, the harmony is heart-warming.
Dang! That’s good!
Good Morning Tipper,
“What a coincidence”, or NOT!
I loved the song choice this morning. “Where the Soul Never Dies” is what I always thought was the name of the song. Pap and Paul sing the harmony beautifully.
That sweet little mandolin picker is playing great herownself!
I was up at or before daybreak…I awoke to the sounds of my familiar bird friends…The arrival of “one voice echoing” thru the woodline behind the house charged me to check it out online to make sure I was hearing right! At the distance I was just picking up bits and pieces of the song along with the roar of the kitchen fridge, etc. As it came closer to the big Oak at the edge of the yard, I for sure recognized the song. How could I forget the melody, of course, it was the return of the Brown Thrush. I then decided to check out the Blind Pig, heard Pap and Paul singing the familiar song and forgot all about the Brown Thrush!
I know you have the thrush in Brasstown. It was my aunt in Canton, NC..that had a love for the Brown Thrush…I know “her soul never died” and is listening to her favorite bird song this morning.
I did a painting of the bird for her when I was just a girl!
She loved this song as well, and had a great love for gospel music and bird songs!
Thanks Tipper for this post this beautiful morning!
Love it! 🙂
Apparently he had plenty of time to think in prison.. To bad he was put there to accomplish what God intended for him to do all alone.. But who knows, the Apostle Paul did some of his best writings in prison… enjoyed the song, one of my long list of favorites also..