The spiritual, “Does Anybody Here Know My Jesus,” from the studios of WGAR, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A., 18 June 1944. Reverend Glenn T. Settle, Choir Director and Maurice Goldman, Conductor. Broadcast nationally via the Columbia Broadcasting System Radio Network.

The spiritual, “Until I Found the Lord My Soul Just Couldn’t Be Contented,” by Wings Over Jordan choir; Pattie Jean Moore; and Gilbert F. Allen. Recording Corporation of America (RCA) Victor (20-3128-A), Camden, New Jersey, U.S.A. Published 8 June 1948. Catalog number GBIA0377220A. The lyrics are:

(Chorus)
My soul just couldn't be contented
My soul just couldn't be contented
My soul just couldn't be contented
Until I found the Lord

Verse
Well then I cried and I cried (Alleluia)
I cried all night long (thank you Jesus)
I cried and I cried (my Lord)
Until I found the Lord (Chorus)

Verse
Well then I prayed and I prayed (Alleluia)
I prayed all night long (thank you Jesus)
I prayed and I prayed (my Lord)
Until I found the Lord (Chorus)

Verse
Then I moaned and I moaned (Alleluia)
I moaned all night long (thank you Jesus)
I moaned and I moaned (my Lord)
Until I found the Lord (Chorus)

Verse
But then I walked and I walked (Alleluia)
I walked all night long (thank you Jesus)
I walked and I walked (my Lord)
Until I found the Lord (Chorus)

Verse
But then I talked and I talked (Alleluia)
I talked all night long (thank you Jesus)
I talked and I talked (my Lord)
Until I found the Lord (Chorus)


On 25 February 1945, 18 choir members (including conductor Hattye Easley), Reverend Glenn T. Settle and business manager Mildred Ridley reported to the United Service Organization's New York City headquarters to begin vaccinations for smallpox, yellow fever and typhoid fever, fittings for military uniforms at Saks Fifth Avenue and obtaining passports. Columbia Broadcasting System assisted with the preparation, and commissioned a picture of the choir. Settle, Easley and Ridley posed the choir in a “V” formation for a Life magazine photographer. The Call and Post noted the choir's tour and Rev. Settle in an editorial, considering it Settle's "greatest assignment," and the choir "a beacon light of better racial understanding".

For aerial and submarine warfare security purposes, the date of the choir's departure was a military secret. All members were designated the rank of “captain,” for protective purposes if they were captured. They boarded the United States Ship (USS) West Point on 21 March 1945, with about 5,000 military and other service personnel. Landing at Le Havre, France, they were transported to Peninsular Base Section (PBS) headquarters in Naples, Italy. The 6-month tour of the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO) began on 29 April 1945.

The choir was most closely involved during the first phase of their tour with the 92nd Infantry Division, an all-African-American unit led by Major General Edward Almond. Almond invited the choir to sing for the division on Easter 1945; they dedicated "We'll Understand It Better, Bye and Bye" to the unit, followed with an impromptu rendition of "My Lord What a Mornin.'" Settle's conviction that servicemen wanted to return to religion was fortified by 2 of the choir's more popular songs, "He'll Understand And Say "Well Done"" and "Just A Closer Walk With Thee." The choir opened a series of concerts celebrating Victory-Europe Day on 7 May 1945, and hosted a Mother's Day program. Its reception by the Government Issue (G.I.s) was positive, and the choir was offered a full 6-month tour commitment.

According to Mildred Ridley, the choir frequently spent time in infirmaries with wounded servicemen, ate and socialized in mess halls with G.I.s, and used wit and humor to brighten up the atmosphere during its appearances. The choir and Rev. Settle received citations from General Almond for meritorious service and the, "fine spirit of patriotism exhibited by the group."

Excerpted from URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wings_O...

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