Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning
Mississippi Fred McDowell
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Fred: Well, keep a-your lamp Annie Mae: (Trimmed an burnin') Keep a-your lamp (Oh, trimmed an burnin') Keep a-your lamp (Oh, trimmed an burnin') See what the Lord have done Don't be (worried) Don't (you get worried) Don't be (worried) See what the Lord have done Don't Well, don't (you worry) Well, don't (you worry) See what the Lord have done (Oh, keep a-yo' lamp) (Oh, keep a-yo' lamp) (Oh, keep a-yo' lamp) (See what the Lord have done) Well, don't (you worry) Don't (you worry) Don't (you worry) See what the Lord have done Well, don't get worried Chillen, don't (you get worried) Chillen, don't you get worried See what the Lord have done Well, keep your lamp (All trimmed an burnin') Keep-a your lamp (All trimmed an burnin') Keep-a your lamp (All trimmed an burnin') See what the Lord have done Chillen, don't get worried Chillen, don't you get worried Chillen, don't get worried See what the Lord have done.
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Written by: FRED MCDOWELL
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Historical Significance"Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning" is a gospel blues song recorded by both Blind Willie Johnson and Mississippi Fred McDowell, making it a piece of music with monumental historical importance in the evolution of American blues music.
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Lyrics OriginThe song's lyrics are deeply rooted in the Christian faith, referring to the biblical parable of the ten virgins, as found in the New Testament Book of Matthew.
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Blind Willie Johnson's VersionBlind Willie's rendition, recorded in 1928, is considered one of the finest examples of his slide guitar technique and unique gravelly voice. However, it did not chart during Johnson's lifetime.
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Mississippi Fred McDowell's VersionFred McDowell's cover, done much later in 1965, introduced the song to a broader folk and blues audience. His version was played with a slide technique and is considered among his stand-out performances.
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Johnson's Personal LifeThe theme of the song resonates with Johnson's personal life. He was fond of religious themes as he was a preacher and regularly performed spiritual songs.
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InfluenceMississippi Fred McDowell's cover was widely celebrated and his rendition of the song has been influential in its own right, introducing the song to a wider audience and influencing later blues musicians.
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Track Included in AlbumsMcDowell's version of "Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning" appears on his well-known album, "I Do Not Play No Rock 'N' Roll," which emphasizes his dedication to traditional blues music.
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Song InterpretationThe song offers a metaphorical message for listeners to remain diligent and prepared for the inevitable trials of life, embodying much of the toughness and resilience found in the blues genre.
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Wide Recognition"Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning" is now widely recognized as a standard in gospel blues, played by many blues and gospel musicians worldwide. It has been covered by various artists in different music genres including rock, folk, country, and gospel.
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Song PreservationDue to its cultural, historical, and aesthetic importance, Blind Willie Johnson's recording of "Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning" has been preserved in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress.
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Citation
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"Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1282094/Mississippi+Fred+McDowell/Keep+Your+Lamp+Trimmed+and+Burning>.
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