SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - "Down by the Riverside" by The Rev. Cecil Harris and His Choir

The Rev. Cecil Harris started preaching in 1962 and by 1967 pastored his own church, Galatian Baptist Church at 4433 Hardeman St. in Fort Worth. Harris comes from the old school of rough and ready gospel preachers – just as apt to sing as preach as he mightily expounds on the scripture.

At some point, Harris and the church decided to self-produce an LP, No Mercy in Hell. Side 2 contains Harris’ complete sermon by that name. However, side 1 features the three songs leading up to the sermon, including a fabulous, full-tilt version of the old camp-meeting song, “Down By the Riverside.”

By the way, Galatian Baptist is still going strong today – now with Cecil’s grandson, the Rev. Mark Harris in the pulpit!

I’m Robert Darden … “Shout! Black Gospel Music Moments” is produced by KWBU and the Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University Libraries.

PREVIOUS EPISODES OF SHOUT! BLACK GOSPEL MUSIC MOMENTS

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - "Pray on My Child" by Rev. Milton Brunson and the Thompson Community Singers

That’s the powerful voice of Maggie Bell on the Rev. Milton Brunson and the Thompson Community Choir’s version of “Pray on My Child.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - "No Hiding Place" by The Doves

The otherwise unknown Evening Doves deliver a spirited, rollicking version of the traditional gospel song “No Hiding Place."

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - "No Friend Like the Lord" by The Silver Bells

The unknown Silver Bells of Macon, Georgia’s “No Friend Like the Lord” is a masterclass in a cappella doo-wop styled gospel singing.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - "No Cross, No Crown" by Brooklyn All Stars

The Brooklyn All Stars were New York’s best-known gospel group, singing hits like the slow and stately “No Cross, No Crown.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - "No Coward Soldiers" by The Caravans

The Caravans ruled the Gospel Highway in the 1950s and ‘60s with songs like the upbeat “No Coward Soldiers.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - "Jericho March" by Grace Emmanuel Singers

The music of Daddy Grace’s United House of Prayer for All People is an ecstatic rave-up, fueled by a dozen honking trombones!

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - "Follow the Star" by Edwin Hawkins

Edwin Hawkins and his friends deliver a wonderful serene and soothing Christmas ballad, “Follow the Star,” to close out a tumultuous 2025.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - "Little Jesus Boy" by The Vilionaires

The Violinaires’ doo-wop version of “Little Jesus Boy” will bring back many happy Christmas memories.

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - "Christmas in Heaven" by Claude Jeter

Claude Jeter’s magnificent falsetto is at the heart of “Christmas in Heaven.”

SHOUT! Black Gospel Music Moments - Blackberry Records

The Williams Family and the legendary Canton Spirituals combine for one of the funkiest Christmas songs of all time, “Down Home in Mississippi".