Gospel Song – Trouble In My Way
Gospel Song – Trouble In My Way.
Trouble in my way is a classic, old school gospel blues song that was recorded in 1952 by the Dixie Hummingbirds. The song was written by Ira Tucker, the lead singer of that legendary gospel quartet. The group started in 1928 in Greenville, South Carolina. All four of the singers were high schoolers, and began in the tradition of singing gospel a capella. With a few personnel changes through the years, they were still singing in 2008. The ‘Birds were already fixtures in gospel music in the 1940’s and were legends by the 1950’s. Their “soul gospel” sound was credited with helping in the creation of the soul music of James Brown and Jackie Wilson. Isaac Hayes, referring to them as “the iron men of gospel” and “an American institution,” once said, “In the beginning, after the word, before rock ‘n roll, and before there was rap, hip-hop, disco, punk, funk, metal, soul, Motown, rock-a-billy, before be-bop, doo-wop, and the big band swing, there was the Dixie Hummingbirds, the mighty Dixie Hummingbirds. They personify perseverance, talent, and dedication.”
Ira Tucker joined the Hummingbirds in 1938, at the tender age of 13 years old. He brought a high-energy showmanship to the group’s performances, with his jumping off the stage, falling to his knees, and running through the aisles. His songwriting, deep voice and stage dramatics became mainstays in the gospel circuit as they traveled across the United States. The ‘Birds sang back up to Paul Simon in “Love Me Like a Rock.’ They were awarded one Grammy in 1973, and were nominated for several others. Ira Tucker continued to sing with them until 2008.
LYRICS – Trouble In My Way (Luther Barnes version)
Refrain – Trouble in my way, I have to cry sometimes. Trouble in my way, I have to cry sometimes.
I lay awake at night, but that’s alright. Jesus will fix it after while.
- Stepped, stepped in the furnace a long time ago, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
No, they were not worried, oh this I know. They knew that Jesus will fix it after while.
Refrain
Jesus will fix it. Gonna be alright.
It’s gonna be alright in the morning.
He’s gonna make a way.
Refrain
This song was a fast-paced, almost frenetic gospel song in the hands of the Dixie Hummingbirds. But Luther Barnes popularized Trouble in My Way by developing it with a slower pace and more in the gospel blues tradition. This great gospel song is sung in churches across the country and continues to be a worship favorite.