“The Other Bright Shore”

Description

"I have a mother gone to glory (or: ...mother over yonder) (x3), On (that) other (bright) shore." Similarly with father, sister, etc. "Some bright day we'll go and meet them...." "Won't that be a happy meeting..." etc.

Notes

Roud lumps this with "Where Is Old Elijah? (The Hebrew Children, The Promised Land)," which seems a bit strong. But there is no denying that this is a song with a great willingness to transfer verses; it's possible that some of the items listed here actually derived from other songs. - RBW

Cross references

• cf. "Hear the Lambs a-Cryin'" (words)
• cf. "Departed Loved Ones" (theme)
• cf. "I Have a Father Gone to Glory (I Am Alone in this World)" (lyrics)

Recordings

• Rev. Howard Finster, "Some Have Fathers Over Yonder" (on FolkVisions2)

References

1. BrownIII 539, "John Saw de Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand" (1 text, perhaps not this song but too close to separate (it starts "John saw the Hundred and Forty-Four Thousand" and has the chorus "I can't stay away," but the rest appears to be this); also 576, "Gwine Down Jordan" (1 text, also possibly separate as it has the chorus, "I'me gwine down Jordan, hallelo," but the verses seem to belong here); also 648, "We Have Loved Ones Over Yonder" (1 text, which appears to be exactly this song except that it uses the phrase "over yonders ocean" rather than "on the other bright shore")
2. Chappell-FSRA 90, "Over Yonders Ocean" (1 text, 1 tune)
3. Randolph 611, "On That Other Bright Shore" (1 text, 1 tune)
4. Ritchie-Southern, p. 47, "I've Got a Mother Gone to Glory" (1 text, 1 tune)
5. Thomas-Makin', pp. 217-218, "Oh, Brother Will You Meet Me?" (1 text, 1 tune, in which all meet "On Canaan's happy shores.")
6. Lomax-ABFS, p. 572, "The Other Shore" (1 text, 1 tune)
7. Chase, p. 170, "Over Yonders Ocean" (1 text, 1 tune)
8. Roud #4213
9. BI, R611