I Shall Not Be Moved
"I Shall Not Be Moved" is an African American spiritual. The song describes how the singer is "like a tree planted by the waters" who "shall not be moved" because of their faith in God. Secularly, as "We Shall Not Be Moved" it gained popularity as a Civil Rights Movement, protest, and union song.[1]
The text is based on a portion of Biblical scripture, namely Jeremiah 17:8-9 -- Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.
In Great Britain in the 1980s the song was used by the popular British wrestler Big Daddy as his walk-on music, which would be greeted by cheers from the fans. "We Shall Not Be Moved" is sung at home matches by supporters of Leicester City Football Club in England's Premier League of Association Football.[2][3]
David Spener has written a book documenting the history of this song title, including how it was translated into Spanish changing the first singular to first person plural, "No Nos Moverán".[4]
Recorded versions
Among others, the following artists recorded "I (We) Shall Not Be Moved":
- Blind Roosevelt Graves (1929)[5]
- Charley Patton (1929)[6]
- The Almanac Singers with Pete Seeger on The Original Talking Union and Other Union Songs (1955)
- Lonnie Donegan on Lonnie Donegan Showcase (1956)
- The Million Dollar Quartet (Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash) (1956)
- The Freedom Singers at the March on Washington (1963) in a medley with other songs
- Mississippi John Hurt on The Best Of Mississippi John Hurt (1965)
- Ella Fitzgerald on Brighten the Corner (1967)
- The Seekers, on several albums including The Best of The Seekers (1968)[7]
- Son House on The Real Delta Blues-14 songs from the man who taught Robert Johnson (1974)
- Joan Baez ("No Nos Moverán") on her Spanish-language album (1974)
- Henry Qualls on Blues from Elmo, Texas (1994)[8]
- Underground Ministries featuring Kenny Bobien (Vinyl, 12", Single, Promo) (1999) https://www.discogs.com/Underground-Ministries-Featuring-Kenny-Bobien-I-Shall-Not-Be-Moved-Stand-Still/release/62239
- Sweet Honey in the Rock on Still the Same Me (2000)
- Peter, Paul and Mary on In These Times (2003)
- Johnny Cash on My Mother's Hymn Book (2004)
- Mavis Staples on We'll never Turn Back (2007)
- JB Burnett featured in the episode, "The Magnificent Seven," on Supernatural.
- Public Enemy on Most of My Heroes Still Don't Appear on No Stamp (2012)[9]
References
- ↑ Wells, Robert V. (2009). Life flows on in endless song: folk songs and American history. University of Illinois Press. p. 95. ISBN 978-0-252-07650-3.
- ↑ James, Stuart (17 April 2016). "Leicester supporters ride emotional roller coaster with title in sight". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
- ↑ "Watford 0 Leicester 1. We shall not be moved!". YouTube. 5 March 2016. Retrieved 17 April 2016.
- ↑ David Spener. 2016. We Shall Not Be Moved / No Nos Moverán: Biography of a Song of Struggle. Philadelphia: Temple University Press.
- ↑ Thom Owens (1994-06-02). "Complete Recorded Works (1929-1936) - Blind Roosevelt Graves | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2017-01-11.
- ↑ "Charley Patton Vol 2 1929 - Document Records Vintage Blues and Jazz". Document-records.com. Retrieved 2017-01-11.
- ↑ Bruce Eder. "The Best of the Seekers - The Seekers | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2017-01-11.
- ↑ "Blues from Elmo, Texas - Henry Qualls | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. 1995-11-22. Retrieved 2017-01-10.
- ↑ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Most of My Heroes Still Don't Appear on No Stamp - Public Enemy". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2012-08-14.