Michael, Row the Boat Ashore

One of my favorite Negro Spirituals/folk songs is "Michael, Row the Boat Ashore." I believe it was first sung by African-American slaves living in an island off the coast of Georgia or the Carolinas, where a language like Gullah was able to develop (Gullah is a mixture of various African tongues and English, only spoken by black slaves and their descendants off the coast of South Carolina as a Creole or patois). The song has both religious connotations and similarities to the work song traditions of enslaved blacks and the sea shanties of sailormen. The 'Michael' in the title likely refers to a Biblical figure, or perhaps a slave. Either way, the Halleluiah chorus obviously connects the song to spirituals and the Bible. The lyrics also refer to crossing the river Jordan.

Anywho, the song was first documented during or immediately after the American Civil War. Here are the 'original' lyrics as sung by African-Americans in the 19th century (per Wikipedia):

Michael row de boat ashore, Hallelujah!

Michael boat a gospel boat, Hallelujah!

I wonder where my mudder deh (there).

See my mudder on de rock gwine home.

On de rock gwine home in Jesus' name.

Michael boat a music boat.

Gabriel blow de trumpet horn.

O you mind your boastin' talk.

Boastin' talk will sink your soul.

Brudder, lend a helpin' hand.

Sister, help for trim dat boat.

Jordan stream is wide and deep.

Jesus stand on t' oder side.

I wonder if my maussa deh.

My fader gone to unknown land.

O de Lord he plant his garden deh.

He raise de fruit for you to eat.

He dat eat shall neber die.

When de riber overflow.

O poor sinner, how you land?

Riber run and darkness comin'.

Sinner row to save your soul.

or

Michel, row the boat a-shore

Hallelujah!

Then you'll hear the trumpet blow

Hallelujah!

Then you'll hear the trumpet sound,

Hallelujah!

Trumpet sound the world around

Hallelujah!

Trumpet sound the jubilee

Hallelujah!

Trumpet sound for you and me

Hallelujah!

Here is Pete Seeger's version of the song.

The Highwaymen had a hit with Michael, Row the Boat Ashore

The Beach Boys apparently sang this as well...I don't care for them

This singer sounds a lot like Paul Robeson with his bass singing

A gospel take on the song by Marion Williams
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73wNMHs7F18&feature=player_embedded