Keep On a-Walking (Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round)

DESCRIPTION: "Ain't gonna let nobody, Lordy, Turn me 'round (x3)... Keep on a-walking, Keep on a-talking, Marchin' on to freedom land." Similarly "Ain't gonna let no jailhouse... Turn me round," etc. Versions may refer to local events
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: 1962 (source tune recorded by Jimmie Davis in 1936)
KEYWORDS: discrimination political nonballad
FOUND IN: US
REFERENCES (3 citations):
Scott-TheBalladOfAmerica, pp. 374-375, "Keep On a-Walkin'" (1 text, 1 tune)
Silber/Silber-FolksingersWordbook, p. 303, "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round" (1 text)
cf. Greenway-AmericanFolksongsOfProtest, p. 234, "Don't Turn Around" (1 text, probably a union adaption of this song)
RECORDINGS:
Pete Seeger, "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me 'Round" (on Selma)
SNCC Freedom Singers, "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around" (on SingFreeCD ) (on VoicesCiv)
SAME TUNE:
Jimmie Davis "I Ain't Gonna Let Ol' Satan Turn Me Round" (Decca 5235, 1936)
NOTES [55 words]: This song, an activist hymn from the civil rights and labor movements, was clearly adapted from "I Ain't Gonna Let Ol' Satan Turn Me Round." Jimmie Davis recorded that song; in view of the later adaptation, it's ironic that his second successful run for governor was on a racist platform, pledging resistance to integration. - PJS
Last updated in version 3.5
File: SBoA374

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