The Reverend and The Rainbow

Reverend Gary Davis was born in South Carolina April 30, 1896. He is one of the greatest blues and gospel musicians to have ever lived. He is one of the greatest musicians in any genre to have ever lived, period. He was known for his own unique fingerpicking style, moving lyrics and electric voice. I get chills when I listen to him. I would give anything to have one moment in the presence of him and his guitar but, alas, I was born in the wrong era.

He and Mississippi John Hurt are two of my greatest heroes. I love them both for unique reasons. I think Rev. Davis has a resonance that transcends the musical realm. It's gospel and it's love. The purity rings out and enters straight into me, leaving me with a profound energy.

And an interesting note...Peter Paul & Mary's "If I Had My Way" was actually based on the song, "If I Had My Way, I'd Tear The Building Down", which was written by Blind Willie Johnson in 1927. But it would never have come to the forefront of the 60's blues-revival scene without Rev. Davis, who popularized it through his own unique stylization of the song.

I found a video clip of Davis on "Rainbow Quest with Pete Seeger", where he sings one of my favorite songs, called "Oh Glory, How Happy I Am".
If you want to skip ahead through all of Seeger's talking, move the video to the minute 2:10


The Show: Rainbow Quest with Pete Seeger

The Lyrics:
Oh, when I was out in the world of sin
I had no one to be my friend
Jesus came and he taken me in
Glory, hallelu
And he taken my feet out the miry clay
He placed them up on a rock to stay
I thank God that I can say
Glory, hallelu

Oh, Glory how happy I am
Oh, Glory how happy I am
My soul is washed in the blood of the lamb
Glory, hallelu

I was out in darkness and I could not see
Jesus came and he rescued me
He claimed me and gave me a victory
Glory, hallelu
And one day while Jesus was passing by
He set my sinful soul on fire
He made me laugh and he made me cry
Glory, hallelu

Oh, Glory how happy I am
Oh, Glory how happy I am
My soul is washed in the blood of the lamb
Glory, hallelu

When I could not understand
Jesus, he give me a lending hand
Led me away to the promised land
Glory, hallelu
Oh, well he give me a horn and he told me to blow
Go in peace and sin no more
He led me away to the upright shore
Glory, hallelu

Oh, Glory how happy I am
Oh, Glory how happy I am
My soul is washed in the blood of the lamb
Glory, hallelu

I know something that's mighty swell
A sweet little story I love to tell
Jesus saved my soul from Hell
Glory, hallelu
Oh, stand back Satan, get out of my way
I don't want to hear not a word you say
I'm on my way to the King's highway
Glory, hallelu
Well thank God I got over at last
Thank God I got over at last
My feet is planted in the narrow path
Glory, hallelu

Oh, Glory how happy I am
Oh, Glory how happy I am
My soul is washed in the blood of the lamb
Glory, hallelu

When I had no home to claim
I begin to call on Jesus' name
He saved me from old Satan's chains
Glory, hallelu
Now I'm fire-baptized and holy ghost-filled
I'm out here to do my master's will
I must keep going, I must keep
Glory, hallelu

Oh, Glory how happy I am
Oh, Glory how happy I am
My soul is washed in the blood of the lamb
Glory, hallelu

"Oh Glory, How Happy I Am"
Words and Music by Rev. Gary Davis