Who wrote Keep Your Eyes on the prize?
Lyricist (s) Both Sandberg in the preface to his book and folk singer Pete Seeger in the opening remarks to his Carnegie Hall performance of "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize" note the malleability of American and African-American folk music. No one artist can be historically credited with "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize.".
Where did the phrase eyes on the prize originate?
She is credited with passing the phrase "eyes on the prize" to Guy who then incorporated it into the song. When Guy worked with Mrs. Clark in the Citizenship program on Johns Island, he used songs in the classes. One of the songs was "Keep Your Hand on the Plow, Hold On" which he knew from the Labor Movement.
What does keep your eyes on the prize mean in the Bible?
Regardless, the song has many biblical references. It may have taken the idea for the lyrics about keeping one’s eyes on the prize from verses in the Bible. The origins of this idiom might make one assume that this expression has the connotation of a prize of equal rights.
How long do you Keep Your Eyes on the prize?
The key, she said, is to refocus, and keep their eyes on the prize for three more weeks. – Houston Chronicle The phrase keep your eyes on the prize means concentrate on achieving your desired result.
Where does keep your eyes on the prize come from?
“Keep Your Eyes on the Prize” was sung during the worst of times, when segregation and its supporters had beat down bodies and optimism. It was adapted from the hymn, “Keep Your Hand on the Plow,” by civil rights activist Alice Wine in 1956. It became “Keep Your Eyes on the Prize.”
Who Wrote eye on the prize?
Eyes on the Prize by Juan Williams: 9780143124740 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books.
Why was keep your eyes on the prize written?
It is believed that an arrangement that led to the current version was written sometime prior to World War I. However, it was modified for the civil rights movement in the 1950s by an activist named Alice Wine. Wine added verses and changed some lyrics to adapt it specifically to the plight of Civil Rights activists.
When was keep your eyes on the prize made?
The landmark series Eyes on the Prize, produced by Blackside and first broadcast in 1987, is a special presentation of the award-winning PBS history series, American Experience.
Who wrote gospel plow?
Mark LaneganBarrett MartinGary Lee ConnerVan ConnerGospel Plow/Composers
Who Wrote We Shall Overcome song?
Pete SeegerZilphia HortonGuy CarawanFrank HamiltonWe Shall Overcome/Lyricists
Who wrote hold on Negro spiritual?
Hall JohnsonHold on : Negro spiritualAuthor:Hall JohnsonPublication:Marian Anderson Collection of Printed Music.Rating:(not yet rated) 0 with reviews - Be the first.SubjectsSacred songs with piano. Spirituals (Songs) African Americans -- Music. View all subjectsMore like thisSimilar Items3 more rows
When did the civil right movement start?
1954 – 1968Civil rights movement / Period
Is keep your eyes on the prize an idiom?
It may have taken the idea for the lyrics about keeping one's eyes on the prize from verses in the Bible. The origins of this idiom might make one assume that this expression has the connotation of a prize of equal rights. However, nowadays, people can use this for any type of goal or prize.
Who wrote the lyrics to Keep Your Eyes on the Prize?
The lyrics to the modern Civil Rights version of the song, "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize" are often attributed to Alice Wine from Johns Island, South Carolina. Mrs. Wine was a member of the Moving Star Hall and The Progressive Club on Johns Island. The book Ain't You Got the Right to the Tree of Life by Guy and Candie Carawan documents songs of the Moving Star Hall and the lives of African Americans on Johns Island in the early sixties.
What is the song "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize" based on?
It is based on the traditional song, " Gospel Plow ," also known as "Hold On," "Keep Your Hand on the Plow," and various permutations thereof. An early reference to the older song, "Gospel Plow," ...
What is the couplet in Mahalia Jackson's "Keep Your Hand on the Plow"?
For example, Mahalia Jackson, in her 1958 performance of "Keep Your Hand on the Plow", begins with the couplet " Mary had three links of chain, Every link bearin' Jesus name .".
Who wrote the lyrics to "Ain't you got the right to the tree of life"?
The book Ain't You Got the Right to the Tree of Life by Guy and Candie Carawan documents songs of the Moving Star Hall and the lives of African Americans on Johns Island in the early sixties. It is doubtful that Mrs. Wine actually composed the lyrics herself.
Where in the Bible does it say "keep your eyes on those who live as we do"?
The title of the modern song may be a reference to the Bible verse in Phillipians 3 :17 " keep your eyes on those who live as we do " and verse 14, " I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ".
Who is Mrs Wine credited with?
Odetta used them in her 1960 Carnegie Hall appearance and recording. Mrs Wine is credited by Candie Carawan only with having passed onto Guy Carawan the revision of the title from "Keep Your Hand on the Plow" to "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize.".
Who wrote Mary Wore Three Links of Chain?
Carl Sandburg, in his 1927 book The American Songbag, attributes these lyrics to yet another song entirely, "Mary Wore Three Links of Chain.". Modern choral arrangements of this song sound entirely different from either the Eyes-Prize or Hand-Plow songs. Both Sandberg in the preface to his book and folk singer Pete Seeger in ...
What does the idiom "keep your eyes on the prize" mean?
The origins of this idiom might make one assume that this expression has the connotation of a prize of equal rights. However, nowadays, people can use this for any type of goal or prize.
Why is "Keep your eyes on the prize" popular?
Many African Americans, and others involved in the movement, used this song as a way to motivate and unite those in the fight for equal rights.
Is Keep Your Eyes on the Prize a biblical song?
It is common in both of these genres for lyrics and tunes to be traded between multiple different songs. For that reason, it is hard to know exactly if the song Keep Your Eyes on the Prize was the first one to use the expression. Regardless, the song has many biblical references.
Overview
"Keep Your Eyes on the Prize" is a folk song that became influential during the American Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. It is based on the traditional song, "Gospel Plow," also known as "Hold On," "Keep Your Hand on the Plow," and various permutations thereof.
An early reference to the older song, "Gospel Plow," is in Alan Lomax's 1949 book Our Singing Country. The book references a 1937 recording by Elihu Trusty of Paintsville, Kentucky, which is …
Possible lyricists
The lyrics to the modern Civil Rights version of the song, "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize" are often attributed to Alice Wine from Johns Island, South Carolina. Mrs. Wine was a member of the Moving Star Hall and The Progressive Club on Johns Island. The book Ain't You Got the Right to the Tree of Life by Guy and Candie Carawan documents songs of the Moving Star Hall and the lives of African Americans on Johns Island in the early sixties.
Biblical references
The title of the modern song may be a reference to the Bible verse in Phillipians 3:17 "keep your eyes on those who live as we do" and verse 14, "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
The "Gospel Plow" title is also shown as a reference to Luke 9:62: "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."
Performances and recordings
• Ida Sand The Gospel Truth, 2011.
• Pete Seeger Live Performance at Carnegie Hall, June 8, 1963. - Video on YouTube.
• Len Chandler, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Peter Paul and Mary, The Freedom Singers and Theodore Bikel performed together live at The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom on August 28th, 1963. - Video on YouTube
Namesakes
• The noted 1987 PBS documentary series about the Civil Rights Movement, Eyes on the Prize, was named for the song, and the song is used in each episode as the opening theme music.
• The 1993 Maya Angelou book Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now is titled after a lyric in the song.
Published versions
• Rise Up Singing, page 60
See also
• Civil rights movement in popular culture
External links
• Dave Marsh's song history at the Wayback Machine (archived December 13, 2007)
• Matt Orel's recordings history