Gospel Plow Banjo Tab: Learn A Classic Spiritual Song

If you want to play an old-time spiritual that's packed with history, look no further than "Gospel Plow." This traditional song has roots stretching back over a century and has been performed by music legends like Mahalia Jackson, Bob Dylan, and more.

In this blog post, we'll dive into the origins and meaning behind "Gospel Plow," break down the song structure, and help you start playing it on banjo. Plus, keep reading to the end to download our easy banjo tab for "Gospel Plow."

But first! Here's what it sounds like - this is me playing through the tab. 

The History and Meaning of "Gospel Plow"

While the exact origins of "Gospel Plow" are unknown, references to the song appear as early as 1917 in the folk song collections of Cecil Sharp. The title and lyrics refer to the hard labor African Americans endured working fields during slavery and sharecropping.

The repeated line "Keep your hand on the plow, hold on" encourages perseverance through adversity with an allusion to Luke 9:62 ("No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God"). As a spiritual, the song offered hope and comfort to suffering workers.

Over the decades, "Gospel Plow" became a popular traditional tune, with artists like Mahalia Jackson adapting it into a gospel style. Folk legends Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan also recorded memorable versions in the 1960s folk revival. Dylan's upbeat take on the song is one of the most well-known.

Breaking Down the Song Structure

"Gospel Plow" sticks to a simple format, following a call and response pattern. There's no definitive set of lyrics, allowing flexibility and improvisation. Versions typically include:

• A repeated chorus: "Hold on, Hold on, Keep your hand on the plow, hold on"
• Short verses. The first 2 lines rhyme and then end with "Keep your hand on the plow, hold on"
• Biblical references like the stories of Mary and Paul/Silas
• Encouraging messages about keeping faith through hard times

This loose structure gives artists creative license to add new lyrics over the standard chord changes. The repetitive chorus also makes "Gospel Plow" easy to sing and play.

Play Gospel Plow on Banjo with The Free Tab

This is such a fun song to play and sing. So let's get into it! 

To help you learn the song fast, I've created an easy banjo tab for "Gospel Plow" that you can download for free right now.

This traditional tune makes a great addition to any banjo player's repertoire. Download the "Gospel Plow" banjo tab below and keep the song alive on banjo for generations to come!