All I Want Is That Pure Religion
First recording and first release by Deacon L. J. Bates (Blind Lemon Jefferson) (January 1926 / October 1926)
- Written by
- [Traditional]
- Language
- English
- Comments
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aka "Pure Religion", "True Religion". Traditional African-American spiritual first recorded by Blind Lemon Jefferson (as by Deacon L. J. Bates) circa January 1926. The various performances typically always have floating lyrics but they all share the common "needing pure/true religion" theme with "hallelu" repeated at the end of most of the lines.
All I want is the pure religion, hallelu (x2)
All I want is the pure religion, pure religion take you home to heaven.
Then you're gonna need that pure religion, hallelu, hallelu.
Josh White's 1933 version starts -
You gonna need that pure religion, hallelu', hallelu'
Gonna need that pure religion, hallelu' - Licensing
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