Reverend Mr. Black

The Kingston Trio

About Reverend Mr. Black

"The Reverend Mr. Black" is a 1963 song by Billy Edd Wheeler, Mike Stoller, and Jerry Leiber. The chorus came from the 1931 folk song, "The Lonesome Valley," a version of which appears in the 2000 film, O Brother, Where Art Thou?. It was recorded by The Kingston Trio in 1963 for their album The Kingston Trio No. 16 and became a top-ten hit for them on the Billboard Hot 100. Johnny Cash covered the song in 1981 for his album The Baron.


Year:
1963
36 

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[Spoken:]
He rode easy in the saddle. He was tall and lean, and at first you'd a-thought nothing but a streak of mean could make a man look so down right strong, but one look in his eyes and you knowed you was wrong. He was a mountain of a man, and I want you to know. He could preach hot hell or freezin' snow. He carried a Bible in a canvas sack and folks just called him The Reverend Mr. Black. He was poor as a beggar, but he rode like a king. Sometimes in the evening, I'd hear him sing:

[Chorus:]
I gotta walk that lonesome valley. I got to walk it by myself. Oh nobody else can walk it for me. I got to walk it by myself.

[2nd & 3rd times:] 
You got to walk that lonesome valley. You got to walk it by yourself. Oh nobody else can walk it for you. You got to walk it by yourself.
If ever I could have thought this man in black was soft and had any yellow up his back, I gave that notion up the day a lumberjack came in and it wasn't to pray. Yeah, he kicked open the meeting house door and he cussed everybody up and down the floor! Then, when things got quiet in the place, he walked up and cusses in the preacher's face! He hit that Reverend like a kick of a mule and to my way of thinkin' it took a real fool to turn the other face to that lumber jack, but that's what he did, The Reverend Mr. Black. He stood like a rock, a man among men and he let that lumberjack hit him again, and then with a voice as quiet as could be, he cut him down like a big oak tree when he said:

[Chorus]

It's been many years since we had to part and I guess I learned his ways by heart. I can still hear his sermon's ring, down in the valley where he used to sing. I followed him, yes, sir, and I don't regret it and I hope I will always be a credit to his memory 'cause I want you to understand. The Reverend Mr. Black was my old man!

[Chorus]

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The Kingston Trio

The Kingston Trio is an American folk and pop music group that helped launch the folk revival of the late 1950s to late 1960s. The group started as a San Francisco Bay Area nightclub act with an original lineup of Dave Guard, Bob Shane, and Nick Reynolds. It rose to international popularity, fueled by unprecedented sales of 33⅓ rpm long-playing record albums (LPs), and helped to alter the direction of popular music in the U.S. more »

4 fans

Written by: BILLY WHEELER, JERRY LEIBER, MIKE STOLLER

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


6 facts about this song

Release and Success
"Reverend Mr. Black" is a popular song performed by The Kingston Trio, known for their influential role in the folk-pop scene of the late 1950s to the mid-1960s. - The song was released in 1963 and peaked at number 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, marking one of the band's major successes.
Song's Origin and Composition
The song is based on a traditional religious folk song, "Lonesome Valley". - It was written by Billy Edd Wheeler, who also wrote hit songs for other artists like Johnny Cash, and Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, the prominent songwriting duo behind hits for artists like Elvis Presley and The Coasters.
Lyrics and Themes
The lyrics tell the story of a preacher known as Reverend Mr. Black who, despite being a tough old man, is admired for his dedication to campaigning against sins and uplifting his congregation. - The narrative style and the spiritual theme make this song stand out, and it resonates with listeners who appreciate the storytelling aspect of folk music.
Legacy
Despite being one of the Kingston Trio's last hits before the band's popularity began to decline, "Reverend Mr. Black" remains one of their most acclaimed songs. - The song is frequently covered and referenced in popular media, demonstrating its lasting impact in the world of folk-pop music.
Album Inclusion
The song was included in the Kingston Trio's 1963 album named "The Kingston Trio #16". This album reached number 4 on the Billboard Top LPs chart, making it one of the most successful albums by the band.
Critical Reception
"Reverend Mr. Black" received positive reviews from music critics, with particular praise directed towards its lyrics and The Kingston Trio's vocal performance. Some critics also appreciated the fusion of spiritual and folk elements in the song's musical arrangement.

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    Reverend Mr. Black

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 1963

    Billboard #8


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