Steal Away - Reverend Pearly Brown

This video features the spiritual "Steal Away" sung by Reverend Pearly Brown. This song was what Pearly called a 'slave song', and is done to images of slavery and escape. I also included a short history of Reverend Pearly Brown whenever he narrates.

Credit for the biographical information goes to the 'Rounder Archive'.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• steal
• away
• reverend
• Pearly
• Brown
• spiritual
• music
• slavery
• underground
• railroad
• escape
• slave
• Christian
• pastor
• blind
• folk

[Revolver1701]

I was born in Americus Georgia in 1958. Several times I saw Reverend Pearly Brown walking the street and singing gospel songs. He walked very slowly. he knew the length of the block and went back and fourth. he had a vienna sausage can fixed to his guitar for donations. If you put in a coin he would say "Thank you and May God Bless You." Quite a fellow.

[onichat]

From what I've read about the Reverend, he did seem like 'quite a fellow'. Thank you for sharing what you can remember of the him!

[jos431]

Could not watch the whole video lost it at about 54 sec. Rev Pearly Brown is one of my favourite Gospel Singer could you reload it, and do you have any footage of him. Cheers

Jos

[onichat]

I'm not sure where your problem lies jos. I was able to watch this whole video at both my home and work. Of course, I have cable internet at both places, so maybe I had an advantage? Either way, I don't think it needs reloading....maybe there is trouble at your end? Glad your interested in the video and the Reverend. Unfortunately, I don't have footage of him or I would have included it for sure.

[manib4144]

I used to see the Rev walking up and down Cherry Street and singing when I was a young girl in Macon, GA in the early 1960's. He had a little tin cup attached to the end of his guitar and a hand written sign that said something like "I am a blind preacher, Rev. Pearly Brown"...He was always dressed in a dress shirt and sometimes a suit. His voice was so soulful, as you hear here.

[panaderete]

Hello I'm Spanish, he says "steal away to Jesus" or what does he say? Thanks in advance.

[chronDiggity]

it was rare for a slave to live past 50.

[Armadillarodeo]

I was a kid in the 50's when I first saw Pearly Brown walking and playing on the streets of Macon and remember the cup attached to the head stock of his guitar/dobro. My mother would make me sit on the benchs in the 3rd street park while she shopped. Once out of sight I followed Pearly all around.listening to him play. He inspired me and I've been playing 47 years now. He was great.

[Tondraea37]

A wonderful song type in Marie Guillian Steal away by Mahalia Jackson enjoy

[MyMoppet52]

Wonderful, wonderful song and dialog. He has the most beautiful and strong voice. Thank you for this history and music! 

[MuddyLeePerkins]

Rev Pearly Brown CD available at arhoolie web site -- studio recordings plus a radio broadcast done in Berkeley CA - great CD.

[CosmicTraveler]

I used to see him walk the streets in Macon playing & singing. I had never heard anything like that before & it actually scared me since I was a small kid. God Bless Rev. Pearly Brown. His reward is in Heaven.

[MrWcp3]

@gonigtoplaywithyall

I just spoke with the grandson of the Rev. Pearly Brown. I have forwarded the Ga. Music Hall of Fame tel. # to him. Growing up in Macon I was greatly influenced by his gospel blues and made me want to pick up the guitar at an early age. I used to love to get up early Sunday mornings just to listen to the "Silver Bells" on TV. Rev. Brown just seemed to love to play the spiritual blues and they just rang to my soul.

[Protool11]

Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.