I'm on My Way (traditional song) explained

"I'm on my way (and I won't turn back)" is a traditional Gospel song.^[1] It is described a typical "going-to-Canaan" song; and possibly an Underground Railroad song.^[2]

The lyrics begin "I'm on my way and I won't turn back, I'm on my way and I won't turn back, I'm on my way and I won't turn back; I'm on my way, great God, I'm on my way. I asked my brother to come with me..."^[3]

Recordings

• The Carter Family
• Odetta on Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues 1956
• Soundtrack for Elmer Gantry (1960)
• The Golden Gate Quartet recorded this song under the title "The Story of Job"
• Barbara Dane, on her album "On My Way", 1962.
• The Proclaimers (1988)
• Adapted, into a new song "On My Way"

Notes and References

1. Motive - Volume 23 1962 p.41 "... And finally the overwhelming affirmation, "I'm on my way and I won't turn back!"
2. John Greenway American folksongs of protest 1953 p.100 A typical "going-to-Canaan" song; possibly an Underground Railroad song. The Carter Family, famous white hillbilly singers, have made a record of a version of this song utterly without slavery significance. I'm on my way, and I won't turn back!
3. Mark Kailana Nelson Favorite Old-Time American Songs for Dulcimer 2011 p. 147 "I'm on my way and I won't turn back, I'm on my way and I won't turn back, I'm on my way and I won't turn back; I'm on my way, great God, I'm on my way. I asked my brother to come with me, I asked my brother to come with"