"Old Ship of Zion" (1949)- The Roberta Martin Singers

[mrtheoneandonly83]

Sorry but Wille Webb was the organist on this one.

[AnalogPirate]

I am a rapper & a classically trained operatic vocalist, but nothing moves me like hearing & singing the old time gospel! (especially in a capella form)

[jerseytoman1212]

not ot put any other singer down and im not.but mary mary and kirk are ok .but the singer back then .this type of singing can pull you thr the hard times in life .it like a pick me up for me it is .an i am young i just don't relate to todays gospel music the clara wards the mahalia s the marion willams james cl now tho singer that what im talking about.

[illwynd92]

BEAUTIFUL!!

[noremorse126]

I love the oldies! my mom always play these and when i was young too, now i am 19, and thank God he saved me just in time at age 18, Remember know God for yourself!

[kozone5000]

@noremorse126 hallelujah!

[renascencewoman]

gospel is THE only ecclesiastical music. the other stuff sounds canned and contrived. i grew up on this, and i love it!

[MannyManFresh7]

MY GOD! EVERYTIME,EVERYTIME I HEAR THIS SONG IT DOES SOMETHING TO ME.....The part I love there's no DANGER IN THE WATER, That parts gets me quickening!!Liek a ole school church mother! THERE'S NO GOSPEL LIKE THIS AND IN TODAYS TIME NONE THAT WILL COME CLOSE TO IT!

[rodney1238]

god does so many wonderful things that we fail to see the blessings. the Internet is a "gift" and a "tool" we are able to use to re-visit the past and view, study how they the old gospel group perform their magic. when the young people of today want to learn how to sing old time gospel it here. don't down play yourself you have the abilities and the tools to take this form of gospel into the future.I pray that you have the love in your heart no to let this form of praising god vanish.

[rodney1238]

god does so many wonderful things that we fail to see the blessings. the Internet is a "gift" and a "tool" we are able to use to re-visit the past and view, study how they the old gospel group perform their magic. when the young people of today want to learn how to sing old time gospel it here. don't down play yourself you have the abilities and the tools to take this form of gospel into the future.I pray that you have the love in your heart no to let this form of praising god vanish.

[cefinow]

He cried, so loud and free, "My child, I've come to save you, step on board and follow me." i am so glad Jesus comes to save us 'caus most of the time we sure arent looking for him. So lost. Thank you Jesus.

[marypride1]

I truly love and adore this song "Old Ship of Zion" by The Roberta Martin Sings 1949.

It remind me of my grandmother in South Carolina listing to Rev. Boman's "Old Ship of Zion daily radio program. As a child it realy tuched my heart and it still do.

[oldschoolhenryc53]

god give me your love

[blackblueberryboy]

gospel!!

[saduction1]

JayEm86 Thank you so much for sharing some of the best gospel. I love taking the churches of today back to the wonderful ministry of old.

[jddrew1000]

I wish I was alive during this time

[jddrew1000]

I really wish more of us teenagers would sing these oldies. Instead they hip-hop it up to the beats. We need more of this singin the more. Only a remnant appreciate these old time singin

[gypsymama501]

@jddrew1000 U R so right! Yes, if they could grab ahold onto this kind of Music and be Blessed like us. Hasan Green is a young brother who is (here) on You tube and he is be used by the Lord to sing these Zion songs. Go by and listen to him when U get a chance. Much JoyPeaceLove to U & yours from just another Soldier in the Army of the Lord.

[nard22]

@jddrew1000 im a young man an i appreciate this song an you're right more more young ppl need to listen to this an really take it in.

[myGodis1lord]

@jddrew1000 ..... Amen i agree about these old songs..... here is one if you can find it;..... Hes coming soon... dont know if you have heard of it... if not and cant find it, on youtube you can type in, hes coming soon apostolic, it is only couple minutes long but it is good song.

[Jackstl9940]

@jddrew1000 I am 19 years old and this is my type of music I cant stand R&B or rap . i was raised on Gospel music like this and that is all i listen to. 

[kozone5000]

@Jackstl9940 hallelujah!

[TjmMinistries]

YES SIR !!!!

[bradleysubershow]

Wow this takes me back to my early childhood. I remember singing this.

[DaSourcespr06]

OMG..i love that intro!!!

[patie48nce]

You don't hear this kind of singing anymore. Thank you so much for posting this beautiful hymn sung by this wonderful old time gospel group.

[robfromdublin]

love it sing!!

[lblockton]

What a beautiful, quiet soothing hymn to listen to. Oh! if only churches sung these old hymns today. You just don't hear them and that is such a shame.

[patie48nce]

Good old gospel singing the way it should be.  Thank you for posting this song.

[UtubeLeeOh]

I agree with Gustokoanglangit who said the new songs we sing in church are nothing like this. That might be the reason why many Christians don't fear God like we used to. A lot of Black Gospel being played today shows up on secular R&B stations. Some gospel artists use the talents of secular performers to sell CDs IMHO. An example of this is Mary Mary's song "Superfriend" which features rapper David Banner. I don't knock the new music bc I like it but let's not become too worldly with it.

[TjmMinistries]

@UtubeLeeOh AMEN

[jddrew1000]

BeBe and CeCe are on R&B and so are Mary Mary.

But back then (since Muslims listen to secular music) They wouldnt put this on any secular station. We must go back to the old time way. But I'm 14 and I realized the difference ever since I was little.

See, my dad got me listening to the Five Blind Boys of MS. And then I listen to these old gospel songs and since like 10, I have noticed a dramatic difference between back then and now.

[Darkel1992]

@jddrew1000 I'm 18 years of age now but when I was four, This music and much more like it was what I aspired to get close with musically. Though I sing this music and those like it, I continue to hold true to my ruts (roots) and carry on with the music of my time- so to speak. Keep seeking, they all will come.

[hisboo911]

where is the version sang at celie's father's funeral on "the color purple," please?

[Gustokoanglangit]

I wish the modern day churches would sing more like this, instead of the wild rock 'n roll sensual frenzy styles we must endure in services. This is pleasing to the ear, as it should be. Oh Lord, how I desire for churches, people, and the world to return to the old path ways ! Thank you for this video clip of holy singing.

[bev750]

I never hear of Norsalus Mckissick as a child, if I had I would had remember, as I wrote in another comment about his voice is so smooth as well as unique, what a Singer.

[theultimatedove]

What a wealth of spirituality in their ministering of this hymn! I woke yesterday morning with this song on my heart and sang it later at a noon time Bible study. I like the way Brother McKissick made it personal when he said, " I Got On Board Early One Morning...I Got On Board!!" Bless you JayEm86 for blessing us with your posts!

[nostalgiahistoria67]

Classic gospel performance by legendary artists who really had the spirit! Amen!

[dono509]

Hair stand up on the back of the back powerful.

[PentecostalBro07]

Oh My, Oh My!

[mickiyelly1960]

wonderful and a throw back to simpler times.

[timmyj40]

ahhhhh yes so soothing

[appetancy]

This is absolutely Norsalus McKissick. His masterpiece, a pearl beyond price. And has there ever been a more soulful piano intro. than the one Roberta Martin gives him?

[PurpleSnowman29]

Hey, Jay. Great Job. This post is really wonderful. I love it. No group like the World's famous Roberta Martin Singers.

[kbolden07]

I believe that is Norsalus Micssick ?

[swool352]

Youre right. What happened to the video someone had posted a few months ago? He was singing and the Barrett Sisters were backing him up. I had it saved in my favs but whoever had it posted removed it.