Where the Soul Never Dies (Canaan's Land)

DESCRIPTION: "Kind friends there'll be no sad farewell There'll be no tear-dimmed eyes Where all is peace and joy and love And the soul of man never dies." Singer is bound to Canaan's land. A love-light guides his way; a rose blooms there, etc.
AUTHOR: William M. Golden
EARLIEST DATE: 1914 (songbook, publ. by R. E. Winsett, Dayton, TN)
LONG DESCRIPTION: Singer says s/he is on the way to Canaan's land, where the soul never dies. A love-light guides his way; a rose blooms there for him/her, and there s/he will spend eternity. His/her life will end in deathless sleep, and s/he'll reap eternal joys. Ch.: "Kind friends there'll be no sad farewell/There'll be no tear-dimmed eyes/Where all is peace and joy and love/And the soul of man never dies"
KEYWORDS: farewell death dying nonballad religious
FOUND IN: US(Ap,SE)
REFERENCES (2 citations):
DT, CNAANLND
ADDITIONAL: Robert J. Morgan, _Then Sings My Soul, Book 2: 150 of the World's Greatest Hymn Stories_, Nelson, 2004, pp. 270-271, "To Canaan's Land I'm on My Way" (1 text, 1 tune)
Roud #5722
RECORDINGS:
Anglin Bros., "Where the Soul of Man Never Dies" (Vocalion 04692/Conqueror 9243, 1939, rec. 1938)
Blue Ridge Sacred Singers, "Where the Soul Never Dies" (Gennett 6916/Champion 15793/Supertone 9501, 1929)
Blue Sky Boys, "Where The Soul Never Dies" (Bluebird B-6457/Montgomery Ward M-5029, 1936)
Burchfield Brothers, "Where the Soul Never Dies" (Capitol 40011, 1947)
Jim & Sarah Garland, "Canaan Land Where The Soul of Man Never Dies" (AFS 2022 B, 1938)
Jack & Leslie "Where The Soul of Man Never Dies" (Decca 5589, 1938)
Oak Ridge Sacred Singers, "Where The Soul Never Dies" (Supertone 9501, 1929)
Renfro Family, "Where the Soul Never Dies" (Kentucky 600, n.d.)
Rev. M. L. Thrasher & his Gospel Singers, "Where The Soul Never Dies" (Columbia 15271-D, 1928)
NOTES [93 words]: The song is typically sung in parts, with one part singing a simplified chorus under the main words: "No sad....farewells/No tear.....dimmed eyes/Where all.....is love/And the soul.....never dies." In that form it's become popular in bluegrass, folk-revival and C & W circles (following Hank Williams' recording). - PJS
According to Morgan, author Golden called this "To Canaan's Land I'm on My Way," but it was Hank Williams who recorded it as "Where the Soul of Man Never Dies," and the recording was popular enough that that became the common title. - RBW
Last updated in version 3.6
File: DTcnaanl

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