Origins: Lay Down This World

Subject: Origins: Lay Down This World
From: GUEST,funkychicken
Date: 29 May 05 - 01:16 PM

I heard about this song 'Lay down this world', it's supposed to be written by Gary Davis. Is that so or is it a traditional?

Subject: RE: Origins: Lay Down This World
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 29 May 05 - 01:44 PM

Traditional.
See "Ain't That Good News?" in Work, 1940, p. 195. "American Negro Songs and Spirituals." "Lay Down This World" is repeated in the chorus for each verse.
Probably the same as McIlhenny, "Befo' de War Spirituals, but I haven't seen that book.

Subject: RE: Origins: Lay Down This World
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 29 May 05 - 01:48 PM

A version is in the DT, not credited to source.

Subject: RE: Origins: Lay Down This World
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 29 May 05 - 02:04 PM

The version in Work was posted in thread 38496 and indexed in the Spirituals permathread.
38495: Ain't that good news

It would be nice to have the versions by the Soledad Brothers and by Gary Davis posted at Mudcat (38495) for comparison.

Subject: RE: Origins: Lay Down This World
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jun 05 - 08:53 AM

So the Soledad Brothers' lyrics are original lyrics? It's not just a cover?

Subject: RE: Origins: Lay Down This World
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 03 Jun 05 - 03:30 PM

? It is traditional. I would imagine that both Davis and the Soledad Bros. worked up their own versions, which they could copyright.

Subject: RE: Origins: Lay Down This World
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jun 05 - 11:06 AM

Thanks

Subject: RE: Origins: Lay Down This World
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Jul 05 - 01:59 PM

What are the lyrics to Davis' version?