“Jacob's Ladder (I)”

Description

"I am (we are) climbing Jacob's ladder... And I won't be troubled any more. As soon as my feet strikes Zion's walls, I won't be troubled any more." "Goin' to see my father/mother/sister/brother in the kingdom...." Alternate end: "Soldiers of the cross."

Notes

In Gen. 28:12, Jacob dreams of a "ladder" (ramp/stairway) from earth with its top "reaching to heaven, and the angels of God climbing up and down it." - RBW

Cross references

• cf. "Don't You Weep After Me" (floating lyrics)

Recordings

• Armstrong & Highley, "Climbing Jacob's Ladder" (Paramount 3291, 1931)
• Chumbler Family, "Jacob's Ladder" (Columbia 15481-D, 1929)
• Maddox Bros. & Rose, "We Are Climbing Jacob's Ladder" (4-Star 1473, n.d. but post-WWII)
• Frank & James McCravy, "Jacob's Ladder" (Victor 21188, 1928) (OKeh 45128, 1927) (Brunswick 192, 1928)
• Pete Seeger, "Jacob's Ladder" (on HootenannyCarnegie) (on PeteSeeger47) (on PeteSeeger26)

References

1. BrownIII 536, "Jacob's Ladder" (3 texts, but only the "B" text could be this, and even it might be something else)
2. Combs/Wilgus 320, p. 190, "Jacob's Ladder" (1 text)
3. Lomax-FSNA 235, "Jacob's Ladder" (1 text, 1 tune, plus a union/liberal parody)
4. Fuson, p. 204, "Hide Thou Me" (1 text, probably a mix, with the form of "Rock of Ages (II -- Hide Me Over Rock of Ages" but verses from "Jacob's Ladder"); p. 213, "I Am On My Way" (1 text)
5. SharpAp 212, "Jacob's Ladder" (1 text, 1 tune)
6. Silber-FSWB, p. 358, "Jacob's Ladder" (1 text)
7. DT, JACOBLDR*
8. Roud #2286
9. BI, CW190A