James Cleveland, I Stood On the Banks of the Jordan | Music Lifts

In the 35^th edition of Music Lifts (2025), we’re uplifted by James Cleveland and The Angelic Choir performing “I Stood On the Banks of the Jordan.”

Welcome to Music Lifts, featuring songs that encourage, inspire, and uplift the spirit; songs that exude fortitude, positivity, and resolve, even in the face of adversity.  Featured songs aren’t genre-specific; songs may or may not be faith-based. The goal is for these songs to make you feel better – be LIFTED to new heights!  So, for the 35^th edition of Music Lifts (2025), we highlight “I Stood On the Banks of the Jordan” as performed by James Cleveland and The Angelic Choir.

Ah, the Jordan River is significant Biblically. That is an understatement! Firm Israel describes it as “a freedom that comes after a long season of adversity and waiting.” The significance of crossing the Jordan and reaching the Promised Land can’t be overstated. The gifted but controversial James Cleveland (1931 – 1991) penned and performed a meaningful gospel classic with “I Stood On the Banks of the Jordan”.  Performed with The Angelic Choir, “I Stood On the Banks of the Jordan” is the opening track from Cleveland’s 1963 album, I Stood On the Banks of the Jordan.  Fittingly, it also appears on the compilation album, The King of Gospel Music, released in 2021. A profound cut, “Jordan” runs more than eight minutes long. Eight glorious minutes!

James Cleveland never gets in a rush on “I Stood On the Banks of the Jordan.” The musical accompaniment, comprising piano, organ, bass, and drums, gets plenty of time to shine.  Early on, as the instrumental sets the tone, members of the congregation are shouting, witnessing to God’s goodness even before the first note is sung.  Initially, Cleveland ministers during the extended instrumental, as excerpted above. Memorably, he pronounces Jordan as many old black folks did back in the day – Jer-dun. Nearly a minute in a half in, the reverend performs the first sung vocals.  With his signature earthy, gravelly, and gritty voice, Cleveland is commanding as he sings lead. “Stood on the banks of Jordan one day,” he sings (the call), with The Angelic Choir responding, “See those ships go sailing over.” What is the significance of the banks of Jordan to Cleveland? Fulfilling his duty as an upstanding Christian man, a servant to The Father, to make it to Heaven. Cleveland wants to see those loved ones he lost. Losing them was gut-wrenching, marking his own wilderness experience. “Lord, I’ve got my ticket / Please don’t leave me down here,” he pleads, and adds, “You took my father / You came back and got my mother / You took everything that was so dear.”  Father and Mother fulfilled their time on Earth and crossed over. Cleveland intends to do the same when his time comes: “I know she’s waiting and watching / I told her, I’d be home after a while.” An emotional and thoughtful tour de force, “I Stood On the Banks of the Jordan” speaks to the importance of living as a Christian ought and ensuring that you have your ticket to Heaven when that time comes.  This anointed gospel classic never grows old!

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James Cleveland & The Angelic Choir » The King of Gospel Music » Malaco, Inc » 2021

James Cleveland, I Stood On the Banks of the Jordan: Music Lifts No. 35 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Malaco, Inc; BD Jewel, Dave H, Jean-Daniel Francoeur, Joshua Brown, Vansh Mehta from Pexels; AcatXIo, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]

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