I'm Gonna Run to the City of Refuge

"I'm Gonna Run to the City of Refuge"
Single by Blind Willie Johnson
A-side "Jesus Is Coming Soon"
Released 1928
Format 10" 78rpm single
Recorded December 5, 1928; Dallas, TX
Genre Gospel blues
Length 3:21
Label Columbia 14391-D
Songwriter(s) Unknown
Blind Willie Johnson singles chronology
"Mother's Children Have a Hard Time"
(1927)
"I'm Gonna Run to the City of Refuge"
(1928)
"Lord I Just Can't Keep From Crying"
(1929)

"Mother's Children Have a Hard Time"
(1927)
"I'm Gonna Run to the City of Refuge"
(1928)
"Lord I Just Can't Keep From Crying"
(1929)

"(I'm Gonna Run to) The City of Refuge" is a gospel blues song recorded in 1928 by Blind Willie Johnson, with backing vocals by Willie B. Harris, who may have been his first wife.[1] It is an adaptation of the traditional song "You Better Run".[2]

The earliest known recording of the song (titled "You Better Run") was by Wiseman Sextette, c.1923.[3]

The title relates to the Biblical concept of Cities of Refuge, where people accused of manslaughter could escape vengeance. The chorus consists of the title, repeated several times, often in call-and-response format. The verses differ widely from one artist to another.[2] Johnson's version refers to Saint Peter preaching; to the Holy Ghost; to Book of Revelation 12:13 ("And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child"); and to the Last Supper.

Recordings

The following recordings, divided by song title, are by people with Wikipedia articles:

I'm Gonna Run to the City of Refuge
City of Refuge
You Better Run

References

  1. "I'm Gonna Run to the City of Refuge". Smithsonian Folkways. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
  2. 1 2 Blakey, D. N. (2007). Revelation Blind Willie Johnson the Biography. Online: Lulu Publishing. p. 74.
  3. 1 2 Haymes, Max. "Roots of Blind Willie Johnson – Part 1". Retrieved February 1, 2015. Also lists other recordings of the song.
  4. I'm Gonna Run to the City of Refuge at AllMusic. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
  5. "Fun with Sound". discogs.com. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
  6. C. J. Johnson: You Better Run at AllMusic. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  7. "Dr. C. J. Johnson Discography". discogs.com. Retrieved February 1, 2015.


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