"(I'm Gonna Run to) The City of Refuge" is a gospel blues song recorded in 1928 by Blind Willie Johnson, with backing vol⁰cals by Willie B. Harris, who may have been his first wife.
It is an adaptation of the traditional song "You Better Run". The earliest known recording of the song (titled "You Better Run") was by Wiseman Sextet (1923).
The title relates to the Biblical concept of Cities of Refuge, where people accused of manslaughter could escape vengeance. The chorus consists of the title, repeated several times, often in call-and-response format. The verses differ widely from one artist to another. Johnson's version refers to Saint Peter preaching; to the Holy Ghost; to Book of Revelation 12:13 ("And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child"); and to the Last Supper.
An early version of this gospel song was published in 1914 on page 154 of "The religious development of the Negro in Virginia".
Another version was published in 1925 on page 208-209 of "On the Trail of the Negro Folk Songs"
Another version was published in 1940 on page 93 of John W. Work's "American Negro Songs"
YOU'D BETTER RUN
You'd better (He had to) run, run, run-a-run
You'd better run, run, run-a-run
You'd better run to the city of refuge
You'd better run, run, run.
God sent ol' Jonah to the Nineveh land
He didn't obey my God's command
The wind blew the ship from the shore to shore
A whale swallowed Jonah and he wasn't no more.
He had to run....
Read about Samson from his birth
He was the strongest man on earth
He lived way back in ancient times
He killed about a thousand Philistines.
He had to run....
First recorded version I found:
(o) Homer Rodeheaver and Wiseman Sextet (1923) (as "You Better Run")
Recorded July 1923 in New York City
Released on Rainbow 1084 and also released on Paramount 12075
Here are the lyrics: Wiseman Sextette – You Better Run Lyrics | Genius Lyrics
Or here:
(c) Sister Cunningham and T.C.I. Singers (1927) (as "You Better Run")
Recorded April 1927 in Chicago
Released on Paramount 12473
Take 1 of this recording is on the album below
Or here:
And on take 2 the resemblance is even more obvious
Listen here:
(c) Blind Willie Johnson (1929) (as "I'm Gonna Run to the City of Refuge")
Recorded December 5, 1928 in Dallas, TX
Released on Columbia 14391 D
Here are the lyrics:
(c) The Original Gospel Harmonettes (1956) (as "You Better Run")
Released on Specialty 887
Listen here: You Better Run - The Original Gospel Harmonettes.mp3
Or here:
(c) Marie Knight (1956) (as "You Better Run")
Recorded June 19, 1956 in New York City
Released in 1958 on the album Songs of the Gospel.
Listen here:
The Chad Mitchell Trio's recording of "Run Run Run" appears on their album In Action.
Chad Mitchell apparently claimed copyright on this version, but it is undoubtedly based on the old spiritual.
(c) Chad Mitchell Trio (1963) (as "Run Run Run")
Originally released on the album In Action in January of 1963 and subsequently retitled to Blowin' In The Wind by September of 1963.
Listen here:
In 1967 Dusty Springfield also recorded a version of "You Better Run", which she learned from Mary Knight.
(c) Dusty Springfield (1967) (as "You Better Run")
Recorded September 5, 1967 Live at the BBC
Watch it here:
(c) Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (1988) (as "City of Refuge")
Listen here:
More version:
and
NOT to be confused with "You'd Better Run On" or "You Better Run", which is a different song originally recorded in 1937 by the Heavenly Gospel Singers and covered by Elvis Presley in 1972
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