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I learned the basics of the tune from a couple of people who had studied directly with Reverend Davis. It's not a note-for-note tab for a specific recording (he recorded several different ones plus on a couple pieces of old film footage), just a tab of the general structure of the tune and some examples of the chord voicings and sequences he used in different parts of the tune, and arranged kind of how I do it. Like I do with some of my tabs that need a bit more explanation than just numbers on a tab-line, I did a brief sound-thing to go with it (actually two parts) and d/l'ed them to SoundClick. (Someday before I die I'll get comp-literate enough to use video, but for now that's it.
) I'll put links to them in the tab below.And so, with the usual excuses/disclaimers for crappy sound and quality (including cheap mic, freeware, etc, etc, etc) the tab is below.
Here you go, Dave (the person who asked for it), and anyone else who wants it.
And of course any questions, comments, etc, etc, (and porn-spam
) feel free to post 'em.
#-----------------------------------PLEASE NOTE-------------------------------#
# This file is the author's own work and represents his interpretation of the #
# music below. It's intent is for study or scholarship purposes only and so is#
# not intended for publication, nor for any other commercial uses whatsoever. #
#-----------------------------------------------------------------------------#
Tabbed 10/11/08 By J.M. (Dadfad at GTU)
duolian@msn.com
For re-copying: Originally tabbed using
Microsoft Notepad using Courier New 10-Font.
OH GLORY HOW HAPPY I AM
Rev. Gary Davis
(Selected Verses Arrangement)
Oh, when I was out in the world of sin
I had no one to call my friend
Jesus came and he took me in
Glory, hallelu
And he took my feet out of the miry clay
He placed them up on the rock to stay
Now I thank Jesus that I can say
Glory, hallelu
O, Glory how happy I am
O, Glory how happy I am
My soul is washed in the Blood of the Lamb
Glory, hallelu
Well one day Jesus was passing by
He set my sinful soul on fire
He made me laugh and he made me cry
Glory, hallelu
And when I could not understand
Jesus gave me a helping hand
And showed me the way to the Promised Land
Glory, hallelu
O, Glory how happy I am
O, Glory how happy I am
My soul is washed in the blood of the Lamb
Glory, hallelu
(Instrumental)
Now I know something that's mighty swell
A sweet little story I love to tell
How Jesus saved my soul from Hell
Glory, hallelu
Oh, stand back Satan, get out of my way
I don't want to hear a word you say
I'm on my path down the King's highway
Glory, hallelu
O, Glory how happy I am
O, Glory how happy I am
My soul is washed in the blood of the Lamb
Glory, hallelu
Once I had no home to claim
I began to call on Jesus' name
He saved me from old Satan's chains
Glory, hallelu
Now I'm fire-baptized and holy ghost-filled
I'm out here to do my Master's will
I must keep going and go I will
Glory, hallelu
Well, glory... (how happy I am)...
Ohhh, glory how happy I am
My soul is washed in the blood of the lamb
Glory, hallelu
(These lyrics have been re-arranged with slight wording and
order changes for timing considerations when I play this tune.
For exact words and order used by Reverend Davis, refer to one
of his several recordings or videos of him doing this tune.)
==========================================================
This tab is a basic structure for playing the tune. Rev. Davis recorded the tune
several times and each time it was different, not only from one recording to the
next, but also within the same recording he might approach the verses, bridges or
refrains in different ways each time, jumping to different voicings and inversions
of the G and C chords at will.
The tab below contains many of the voicings and structures as I learned them from
several people who studied with Rev. Davis in person. It isn't meant to be an exact
note-for-note transcription from any one particular recording of the tune, but just
an example of many of the things he frequently used when he played the tune. Keep in
mind Davis was a street-musician and street-preacher and, like many other old-time
street-musicians, his playing style reflected that. He used a powerful "chunky" style
with the intricacy of his notes secondary to the power and rhythmic qualities he
wanted to project. He went for a "big-sound" in order to compete with the typical
street noise of traffic and crowds you might typically hear in New York City where
he played in the latter part of his life. Also, he used a 12-string which was general-
ly tuned down a half (or whole) step from the normal standard tuning of a 6-string
guitar (which I used for this tab) so my tab is "as if" played in the key of G while
his actual recordings would be in the true-key of Gb. I play the tune myself with a
little more "noteyness" than Rev. Davis, and a bit more of a "roll" than his "chunky"
style. But the structure and figures are the same. Use this tab as just a framework
for putting the tune together, and then play it in your own style and in your own way.
I recorded two short sound-tracks to go with this tab to make it a little easier to
work with. I've downloaded them to Sound-Click. Their addresses are...
Part One:
http://www.soundclic...;songID=6959961
Part Two:
http://www.soundclic...;songID=6959919
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Everything below is done using only the thumb and index finger (Reverend Davis
never used any other fingers) as pinches or alternating single-string picks.
Notes I show in parentheses (-) are more lightly added into the pinch or strum
and not exactly the "targetted" notes. Or they may be added or omitted as you
prefer, so experiment a little with the tone of them and use what sounds best
to you. I'll tab a typical verse, then the bridge, then the refrain.
So here it is taken one line at a time starting with....
================================================================================
FIRST VERSE ("When I was out in the world of sin..." etc)
================================================================================
Start off by holding this position G-chord 3x5433 using these fingers...
E||---|---|-I-|---|---|---
B||---|---|-I-|---|---|---
G||---|---|---|-M-|---|---
D||---|---|---|---|-R-|---
A||---|---|---|---|---|---
E||---|---|-T-|---|---|---
Using the thumb on the 6-string instead of holding the more conventional barred
G-chord makes this line a whole lot easier. You get the notes simply by holding
and releasing and re-holding the position, which is much more difficult using a
regular barre-chord. (The 5-string note could also be held, but isn't needed.)
E)--3------------0---------------0----3------5----------
B}----------3---(0)--3---0---3---0----3------3----------
G)----------4---(0)-----(0)--4-------(4)-----5----------
D)----------5-------------------0-----------0----------
A)------------------------------------------------------
E)------3--------0---3---0---3--------3-----------------
For the last chord xx0535 add your pinkie down onto the 1-string (xxxxx5) and
moving your ring over to the 3-string (xxx5xx) now leaves you holding xx0535.
This is a D7. (An optional note may be added to the 4-string/4-fret (xx4535) by
moving the middle finger over, giving a D7 with a double-7th, if or when you
might want to vary the tone of the chord a bit.)
===========================================================================
Now slide your pinkie and ring up to the 7th-fret (xxx7x7) and lifting your index
up and putting it on the 4-string (xx5xxx) now gives you xx5707. Slide the pinkie
and ring back down to xxx5x5. Use your index for making xxx0x3, and as you pinch
the x0xxx0 it gives to time to hold the C-chord x32013 (xRMOIP), then up two frets
for x54x35. As you slide up two more frets re-position your ring and index to hold
xx5707 again. That last "leading" open xxxxx0 note will give you time to move into
the next line.
E)---7---7----5---3---0----3----5-----7----------0---------
B}--(0)--0----------------(1)--(3)----0--------------------
G)--(7)--7----5---0-------------------7--------------------
D)---5--------------------(2)--(4)----5--------------------
A)--------------------0----3----5--------------------------
E)---------------------------------------------------------
==============================================================================
This near-the-nut sequence of chords is a little complex, but they actually
sort of flow from one to the next and so isn't as difficult as it might at
first seem to be.
Start by holding C-chord x32013 again. (If possible, hold 332013
using the ring finger-tip to hold both 33xxxx. It takes a little
bit of practice if you aren't used to it).
E)--3----- < or > -----3-----3---0--------------0----3---5--------
B}--1---(<- this is ---1-----1------3---0---3--(3)---2--(2)-------
G)--0----prefferred ---0----(0)--------(0)-----------2---2--------
D)-------but this ->---------2------0---2---2--------2------------
A)--3----will work)----3----------------2---3---------------------
E)--3-----------------------------------0-------------------------
You move through that C-chord, into partial Em7 and Em, on into a
Cadd9, then A7, the A. First hold the C (3)32013 for two pinches. The
open 1-string note gives you time to hold the partial Em7 xx0x3x (use
your ring), then add the 5 and 6 strings 2nd-fret Em notes (if you're
able, try to hold them both with just the index finger-tip). Then
put your middle finger on x3xxxx for that Cadd9. From that position
it's easy to just sort of "roll" your index finger over barring the
xx2222 and the ring to xxxxx3, now giving you the A7 xx2223. And,
by extending the pinkie onto the xxxxx5, you now have that last A
chord xxx225.
(So all those changes do sort of sequence into each other nicely making
that change through six different chord-fragments not too tough with a
little practice. Slowly at first, and then moving up to speed.)
=======================================================================
From there to an Aadd9. Use the partial shape of a barred 5th-fret A chord
xx7655 and add the pinkie above it (xxxxx7) for the x07657. Holding it
that way makes it easier to move back down the neck through the D7 again
and to the G.
E)---7----7---5---5--3-----------3----------------
B}---5---(5)--3---3------0---1-------0------------
G)--(6)---6---5---5-------------------------------
D)---7--------0---4------0---2--------------------
A)--(0)--------------2---------------2------------
E)-------------------3---------------3------------
Ending in a quick-change G-C-G. (Holding the G 320003 RM000P makes
quick change to C-frag xx2x1x (using xxMxIx) easier.)
=================================================================
-BRIDGE ("And he took my feet out of the miry clay..." etc)
=================================================================
Begin by holding this G-chord x x 0 7 8 10 using
this fingering. (Sort of a D-shaped chord with the
pinkie added above.)
E||---|---|---|---|---|---|-I-|---|---|-P-|---|-
B||---|---|---|---|---|---|-I-|-M-|---|---|---|-
G||---|---|---|---|---|---|-I-|---|---|---|---|--
D||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---
A||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|----
E||---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|----
E)--10----10---------------7-------7---10---7---10----
B}---------8-------------------10-----------8---------
G)---------7-(^strum-------7-------7-------------7----
D)-----0------ with --------------------0-------------
A)------------ thumb)---------------------------------
E)----------------------------------------------------
...Now slide that D-shape up five frets, holding x x x 12 13 12
like this...
12th v
--|---|-I-|---|---|---|---|
--|---|-I-|-M-|---|---|---|
--|---|-I-|---|---|---|---|
--|---|---|---|---|---|---|
--|---|---|---|---|---|---|
--|---|---|---|---|---|---|
...and down-strunm it with your thumb...
--12--
--13--
--12--
-(0)--
------
------
...and move back up the neck five frets to the beginning position
again and play...
E)--10----10---------------7-------------3--5--7----0-
B}---------8-------------------10---8-----------------
G)---------7-(^strum)------7--------7----4--5--7------
D)-----0---------------------------(0)----------------
A)----------------------------------------------------
E)----------------------------------------------------
...and that last open note gives you a chance to move down the neck
into that C-chord x32013 (or 332013) position again to like what was
played at the end of the first verse...
E)--3----------3-----3---0--------------0----3---5----
B}--1--<-or->--1-----1------3---0---3--(3)---2--(2)---
G)--0----------0----(0)--------(0)-----------2---2----
D)-------------------2------0---2---2--------2--------
A)--3----------3----------------2---3-----------------
E)--3---------------------------0---------------------
E)---7----7---5---5--3-----------3----------------
B}---5---(5)--3---3------0-----------0------------
G)--(6)---6---5---5-------------------------------
D)---7--------0---4-------------------------------
A)--(0)--------------2---------------2------------
E)-------------------3---------------3------------
===================================================================
-REFRAIN ("O Glory, how happy I am..." etc)
===================================================================
For the refrain using mostly "near the nut" open-chords for their strength,
with a few simple fingering changes/additions to follow the melody-line a
bit more closely. Using more of an alternating-thumb style than the mostly
pinches used above.
From G 320033...
E)--3----------0----------------0-------3-----------------
B}-----3---3-------3----0---3------3----3----(3)----------
G)---------0------------0---------(0)---------0-----------
D)---------0-----------(0)---------0----------0-----------
A)-------------------------------------(2)----------------
E)--3-----------3-----------3-----------3-----------------
...to C x32010.....(Cadd9)..........into G.....
E)--0-----------3-----------0-----------------------------
B}-----1---1--------1---1-------3---3---0-----------------
G)---------0------------0-----------0------0--------------
D)---------2------------2------------------0--------------
A)--3------------3----------3-----------------------------
E)--------------------------------------3-----------------
....(still in G)..................into A7 and A...
E)--3-----------0--------------0-------3----5-------------
B}------0----------3---0----3----------2---(2)------------
G)----------0----------0-------------------(2)----(2)-----
D)----------0----------0---------(0)--------2-----(2)-----
A)---------------------2----------------0-----------------
E)--3------------3----------3-----------------------------
.......Aadd9....D7.....D7+7...G....(allude C)...G
E)---7-------7---5-------5----3--------------------------
B}---5--(5)--5---3--(3)--3--------0----1-------0---------
G)--(6)------6---5-------5-------------0-------0---------
D)---7-----------0-------4-------------0-----------------
A)--(0)-----------------------2----------------2---------
E)----------------------------3----------------3---------
END OF TAB AND TIPS, ETC
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Oh, when I was out in the world of sin
I had no one to call my friend
Jesus came and he took me in
Glory, hallelu
And he took my feet out of the miry clay
He placed them up on the rock to stay
Now I thank Jesus that I can say
Glory, hallelu
O, Glory how happy I am
O, Glory how happy I am
My soul is washed in the Blood of the Lamb
Glory, hallelu
BELOW IS THE IDENTICAL TAB AS ABOVE BUT WITH TIPS REMOVED
FOR GOING THROUGH IT AT A FASTER PACE. SOME LYRICS HAVE BEEN
ADDED BELOW EACH LINE TO HELP WIH TIMING
A VERSE
E)--3------------0-----------------0----3------5----------
B}----------3---(0)--3---0---3-----0----3------3----------
G)----------4---(0)-----(0)--4---------(4)-----5----------
D)----------5----------------------0-----------0----------
A)--------------------------------------------------------
E)------3--------0---3---0---3----------3-----------------
Oh, when I was..out..in the world of...sin
E)---7---7----5---3---0----3----5-----7----------0---------
B}--(0)--0----------------(1)--(3)----0--------------------
G)--(7)--7----5---0-------------------7--------------------
D)---5--------------------(2)--(4)----5--------------------
A)--------------------0----3----5--------------------------
E)---------------------------------------------------------
....I had....no one..to..call..my...friend
E)--3----- < or > -----3-----3---0--------------0----3---5-----
B}--1---(<- this is ---1-----1------3---0---3--(3)---2--(2)----
G)--0----prefferred ---0----(0)--------(0)-----------2---2-----
D)-------but this ->---------2------0---2---2--------2---------
A)--3----will work)----3----------------2---3------------------
E)--3-----------------------------------0----------------------
.....................Je---sus came and he took me...in (Oh...)
E)---7----7---5---5--3-----------3----------------
B}---5---(5)--3---3------0---1-------0------------
G)--(6)---6---5---5-------------------------------
D)---7--------0---4------0---2--------------------
A)--(0)--------------2---------------2------------
E)-------------------3---------------3------------
...Glo---ry, hal-le-lu......
-BRIDGE
E)--10----10---------------7-------7---10---7---10---- -12-
B}---------8-------------------10-----------8--------- -13-
G)---------7-(^strum-------7-------7-------------7---- -12-
D)-----0------ with --------------------0------------- --0-
A)------------ thumb)--------------------------------- ----
E)---------------------------------------------------- ----
And he took my..........feet out of the mi----ry.......clay
E)--10-----10---------------7-------------3--5---7----0-
B}----------8-------------------10---8------------------
G)----------7-(^strum)------7--------7----4--5---7------
D)-----0----------------------------(0)-----------------
A)------------------------------------------------------
E)------------------------------------------------------
He placed them.............up...on..the rock to stay
E)--3----------3-----3---0--------------0----3---5--------
B}--1--<-or->--1-----1------3---0---3--(3)---2--(2)-------
G)--0----------0----(0)--------(0)-----------2---2--------
D)-------------------2------0---2---2--------2------------
A)--3----------3----------------2---3---------------------
E)--3---------------------------0-------------------------
...Now.......I thank....Je-sus that I can....say (Oh..)
E)---7----7---5---5--3--------3----------------
B}---5---(5)--3---3------0--------0------------
G)--(6)---6---5---5----------------------------
D)---7--------0---4----------------------------
A)--(0)--------------2------------2------------
E)-------------------3------------3------------
...Glo---ry, hal-le-lu
-REFRAIN
E)--3----------0----------------0-------3------------------
B}-----3---3-------3----0---3------3----3----(3)-----------
G)---------0------------0---------(0)---------0------------
D)---------0-----------(0)---------0----------0------------
A)-------------------------------------(2)-----------------
E)--3-----------3-----------3-----------3------------------
....O,.......Glo--ry...how hap-py I....am
E)--0-----------3-----------0------------------------------
B}-----1---1--------1---1-------3---3---0------------------
G)---------0------------0-----------0------0---------------
D)---------2------------2------------------0---------------
A)--3------------3----------3------------------------------
E)--------------------------------------3------------------
...O,.........Glory...how..hap-py..I...am
E)--3-----------0--------------0----------3------5----------
B}------0-----------3--0----3-------------2-----(2)---------
G)----------0----------0------------------------(2)---------
D)----------0----------0---------(0)-------------2----------
A)---------------------2-------------------0----------------
E)--3------------3----------3-------------------------------
..My soul is washed in the Blood of the Lamb...(Oh..)
E)---7-------7---5-------5----3----------------------------
B}---5--(5)--5---3--(3)--3--------0----1-------0-----------
G)--(6)------6---5-------5-------------0-------0-----------
D)---7-----------0-------4-------------0-------------------
A)--(0)-----------------------2----------------2-----------
E)----------------------------3----------------3-----------
....Glo----ry,..hal-----le---lu.......
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Note: A typo correction was made to the above on 10/10 in the first line of the verse sections at approx.
"...When I was out..."
MultiQuote