about
Rev. J. M. Gates (1884-1945) was by far the most recorded preacher prior to World War II. For many years he pastored the Streamline Baptist Church in Atlanta, and his stature was no doubt enhanced by his very successful recording career that included more than 200 sermons. He had the biggest black funeral in Atlanta prior to that of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. [DtD thanks David Evans for this annotation.]
lyrics
Children, my subject this morning: and He was born in a manger
When I'm thinking about Christmas Day
And think about the day [accept that] Christ was born
Because He was born in a manger.
Sing, I want you to open your mouth and sing one verse
If Christ, in the morning, born in, oh yes, I believe
Well, well I, I said He's born in a manger, He's born low.
A whole lot of people out there boast about where they's born.
Doesn't matter where you was born, but just who was born there
When you think about George Washington, the president of the United States
When you begin to think about Abraham Lincoln
The one who we once spoke of as freeing three, four million and a half Negro men.
Ah, it not a matter of where they's born
But it was a matter of when they's born and who was born.
So Jesus was born in a manger
And He had a poor father and that poor mother
And when I say father, I have reference to Joseph in this world
We know that God was the Father
We know that Mary was His earthly mother
We realize that He came through fourteen generations
And born by the Virgin Mary
Wrapped in swaddling clothes
But he was born in a manger
Born so low, every child of God can get on board
Doesn't matter where you borned at
May be born in the alley but you ought to be borned again
Ah, glory to God and the empire [evermore]
You talk about the time He born
The angelic host came from Zion and wrapped the wings in…
And I heard 'em singing
They sung in mid-air
They kept on singing until the shepherd boys heard
They kept on singing till the wise mens got on that beast
They kept on singing till old Herod got trouble in mind
They kept on singing the month that your Savior was born in
Born in a manger, wrapped in swaddling cloth
And then when I say He's born in a manger then jumped from the
manger to the King of Emmanuel
And come to be King of Kings and Lord of all.
credits
from
Where Will You Be Christmas Day?,
released October 12, 2004
by Rev. J. M. Gates
Vocal, assisted by Deacon Leon Davis and Sisters Jordan and Norman.
Atlanta, October 4, 1927.
license
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