- Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen
-
Louis Armstrong recorded the best known version of the song
Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen is a spiritual. The song is well known and many cover versions of it have been produced, although the rendition by Louis Armstrong[1] is the best known.[citation needed] Marian Anderson had her first successful recording with a version of this song on the Victor label in 1925.[2] Lena Horne recorded a version of the song in 1946.[3] Deep River Boys recorded their version in Oslo on August 29, 1958. It was released on the extended play Negro Spirituals Vol. 1 (HMV 7EGN 27). The song was arranged by Harry Douglas.
Contents
Traditional Lyrics
- Nobody knows the trouble I've seen
- Nobody knows my sorrow
- Nobody knows the trouble I've seen
- Glory hallelujah!
- Sometimes I'm up, sometimes I'm down
- Oh, yes, Lord
- Sometimes I'm almost to the ground
- Oh, yes, Lord
- Although you see me going 'long so
- Oh, yes, Lord
- I have my trials here below
- Oh, yes, Lord
- If you get there before I do
- Oh, yes, Lord
- Tell all-a my friends I'm coming too
- Oh, yes, Lord
Variations
- The second line ("Nobody knows my sorrow") is changed in some renditions to be "Nobody knows but Jesus".
In popular culture
- In the 2010 episode The Bus Pants Utilization of the American sitcom The Big Bang Theory, character Sheldon Cooper sings this song while playing a theremin.[4]
- In the E-Trade Baby series of commercials, the baby starts singing this song at the end of the Solitary commercial[5]
- In the popular web series Red vs. Blue, in the Season 3 bloopers, Private Grif sings the first line during the prison scene in Sidewinder.
- In the popular childrens show "Recess", Mickey sings the whole song in place of the US national anthem.
- In Disney's The Lion King (1994), Zazu sings the first two lines; 'Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, Nobody knows my sorrow'. [6]
- In the film Spaceballs (1987), Princess Vespa sings this while being held prisoner, revealing her bass singing voice. [7]
- In the 2006 stand up special Girth of a Nation. Ralphie May references midgets picking cotton while singing the song.
- In the film Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol (1987), Lt Proctor sings this song in prison while running a metal cup along the bars.
References
- ^ Decca Records in the 2000 to 2499 series
- ^ Joel Whitburn, Pop Memories 1890-1954 (1986), Record Research Inc.
- ^ Black and White Records
- ^ Transcript of The Big Bang Theory episode The Bus Pants Utilization
- ^ E-Trade Baby 'Solitary' commercial
- ^ imdb.com - The Lion King (1994) - Memorable Quotes
- ^ imdb.com - Spaceballs (1987) - Memorable Quotes
External links
Categories:- Louis Armstrong songs
- Song stubs
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