"Farther Along" (or "Further Along" originally) is an American Southern gospel song of disputed authorship. The song deals with a Christian's dismay at the apparent prosperity of the wicked, when contrasted with the suffering of the righteous. The repeated theme is that, "farther along" (in Heaven, perhaps), the truth will be revealed. (Wikipedia)
Its lyrics first appeared as song No. 628 "Further Along" in the hymnal Select Hymns for Christian Worship and General Gospel Service, published in 1911.
The song was attributed to one of its editors Barney Elliot Warren with the text "Arr. B. E. W."
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In 1916 "Farther Along" was published in the songbook Harmonic Chimes by the Harmonic Publishing Company in Morristown, TN.
Here the song was credited to Rev. William Buel Stevens (link) a Church of God preacher, who it is surmised authored the lyrics while struggling with the death of his son.
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SEE: David's Hymn Blog
In 1921 the song appeared (as "We'll Understand It All By And By") in a volume called Eureka Sacred Carols.
Here the song is attributed to the Free Will Baptist preacher, the Rev. W.E. Lindsay, with an arrangement by G.C. Adams.
In 1937 "Farther Along" got it's most influential publication in the collection Starlit Crown, published by the Stamps-Baxter Music Company.
In this collection the song is credited to J.R. Baxter Jr. and the Burnette Sisters are mentioned being the first to perform the song.
Williams B. Stevens happened to hear the Burnette Sisters perform it on the radio and would claim to be the author of the song’s lyrics.
Subsequently, from the 1938 songbook Gospel Quartets onward, Stamps-Baxter attributed the words to W.B.S. and music to W.B. Stevens and arranged by J.R. Baxter, Jr.
As we saw above, the 1916 version, from the Harmonic Chimes songbook, has been assigned, both musically and lyrically, to W.B. Stevens.
But comparing the music notes of the 1937 Stamps-Baxter version above with the 1916 Harmonic Chimes version, I see clear differences.
In fact the melody of the 1937 Stamps-Baxter version is more in tune with the above mentioned 1921 version, from the Eureka Sacred Carols, with words and melody by W.E. Lindsay !!!
David Hamrick has made a note-for-note comparison of both songs, and his conclusion is quite clear.
"Farther Along" was also set to the music of alternate tunes: SEE: Farther Along
And other men who were being cited as the original authors of the song, were Rev. W. A. Fletcher from Oklahoma and W. P. Jay, a preacher for the Church of the Nazarene, born in Arkansas.
The first recorded version seems to be titled "Father Alone" rather than "Farther Along".
(o) J.H. Howell's Carolina Hillbillies (1938) (as "Father Alone")
Recorded January 29, 1938 in Charlotte, NC
Released on Montgomery Ward M-7757
This version is still on my wish-list !!!!
(c) The Stamps Quartet (1938) (as "Farther Along")
Recorded May 13, 1938 in Dallas, TX
Released on Vocalion 04236
Also released on Okeh 04236 and Columbia 37769
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Listen here: FARTHER ALONG - THE STAMPS QUARTET - Stevens.mp3
(c) Swan's Silvertone Singers (1952) (as "Father Alone")
Recorded May 15, 1951 in New York
Released on King 4516
Listen here:
(c) Soul Stirrers (1956) (as "Farther Along")
Recorded February2, 1956 in Hollywood, CA.
Released on Specialty SP 892
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Listen here:
(c) The Harmonizing Four (1957) (as "Farther Along")
Recorded May 1957 in Chicago
Released on Vee Jay VJ 845
Listen here:
(c) Elvis Presley (1967) (as "Farther Along")
with The Jordanaires and The Imperial Quartet
Recorded May 27, 1966 in Nashville, TN
Released on the album How Great Thou Art
Listen here:
(c) The Flying Burrito Brothers (1970) (as "Farther Along")
Recorded end 1969 in Hollywood, CA
Released May 1970 on their album Burrito Deluxe
Listen here:
(c) The Byrds (1971) (as "Farther Along")
Recorded July 25, 1971 in London, UK
Released November 1971 on their album Farther Along
Listen here:
The Byrds' recording of the song became more poignant in the years following its release, after "Farther Along" was sung by ex-Byrd Gram Parsons and then-current member of the Eagles, Bernie Leadon, at White's funeral in 1973. Gram Parsons was especially shaken by White's death and later conceived his final song (before his own death), "In My Hour of Darkness", as a partial tribute to White.
In 1974 by Ike Turner re-used the title of the first recorded version from 1938 ("Father Alone").
His version has slighty different lyrics, credited to Spencer Taylor.
Turner's rendition was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance.
(c) Ike Turner (1974) (as "Father Alone")
Recorded October 1973 in Inglewood, CA
Released United Artists XW-460 W
Listen here:
As we see on the label, Ike Turner's version is credited to Spencer Taylor.
He was the leader of the American gospel group Hi Way Que C's, who also recorded a version of "Father Alone" (rewritten/arranged by Taylor) in 1965 for the Peacock-label.
(c) Hi Way Que C's (1965) (as "Father Alone")
Released on Peacock Records 3042
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Listen here:
(c) Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris (1987) (as "Farther Along")
(arrangement by John Starling and Emmylou Harris)
Recorded 1986 in the Complex, West Los Angeles, CA
Released on the Trio album.
Listen here:
More versions here:
The "Bye and Bye" tag, used at the end of the chorus of "Farther Along", is frequent in the African-American tradition, also used in the old hymn, "(We'll Understand It Better) Bye And Bye".
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