“Where the Soul Never Dies (Canaan's Land)”

Description

"Kind friends there'll be no sad farewell There'll be no tear-dimmed eyes Where all is peace and joy and love And the soul of man never dies." Singer is bound to Canaan's land. A love-light guides his way; a rose blooms there, etc.

Long description

Singer says s/he is on the way to Canaan's land, where the soul never dies. A love-light guides his way; a rose blooms there for him/her, and there s/he will spend eternity. His/her life will end in deathless sleep, and s/he'll reap eternal joys. Ch.: "Kind friends there'll be no sad farewell/There'll be no tear-dimmed eyes/Where all is peace and joy and love/And the soul of man never dies"

Notes

The song is typically sung in parts, with one part singing a simplified chorus under the main words: "No sad....farewells/No tear.....dimmed eyes/Where all.....is love/And the soul.....never dies." In that form it's become popular in bluegrass, folk-revival and C & W circles (following Hank Williams' recording). - PJS

Recordings

• Anglin Twins, "Where The Soul of a Man Never Dies" (Vocalion 04692=Conqueror 9243, 1939, rec. 1938)
• Blue Sky Boys, "Where The Soul Never Dies" (Bluebird B-6457, 1936)
• Burchfield Brothers, "Where the Soul Never Dies" (Capitol 40011, 1947)
• Jim & Sarah Garland, "Canaan Land Where The Soul of Man Never Dies" (AFS 2022 B, 1938)
• Jack & Leslie "Where The Soul of Man Never Dies" (Decca 5589, 1938)
• Oak Ridge Sacred Singers, "Where The Soul Never Dies" (Supertone 9501, 1929)
• Renfro Family, "Where the Soul Never Dies" (Kentucky 600, n.d.)
• Rev. M. L. Thrasher & his Gospel Singers, "Where The Soul Never Dies" (Columbia 15271-D, 1928)

References

1. DT, CNAANLND
2. Roud #5722
3. BI, DTcnaanl