What would the gospels and the apostolic letters be like if they. More than a decade later, these writings provided the inspiration for the cotton patch gospel, a musical by tom key and russell treyz with music and lyrics by harry chapin, that is a mainstay in community theatres across the country. Cotton patch gospel is a musical by tom key and russell treyz with music and lyrics written by harry chapin and produced by philip m. It ran offbroadway at the lambs theatre for 193 performances beginning in october 21, 1981. All four books are available in one volume with new introduction by president. He is celebrated nationally for creating, starring in, and coauthoring with russell treyz and the late harry chapin the offbroadway musical hit, cotton patch gospel. Clarence jordan gives us a fresh, modern look at the new testament, answering the question. Hearing parables in the cotton patch baylor university. The cotton patch gospel recasts the stories of jesus and the apostolic letters into the language and culture of the mid20th century south, bringing the new testament to life in the context of where people actually live today. Harry chapin drop everything and go your feet will be tapping and your fingers will be snapping. Millard fuller, founder of habitat for humanity, thought of clarence jordan as a man of relevance. The cotton patch gospel recasts the stories of jesus and the let. His ability to move the social setting from israel to georgia, from first century palestine to the u.
The cotton patch version of hebrews and the general epistles, 1973. Cotton patch would be fun for a church or youth group to see as part of a lenten or summer series of films on the life of christ. The cotton patch gospel recasts the stories of jesus and the letters of paul and peter into the language and culture of the mid20th century united states south. Jordan committed his ministry to racial reconciliation and economic justice. Jordan also founded the christian community koinonia farm, in sumter county, near americus. He has received the governors award in the humanities. Cotton patch gospel is a musical by tom key and russell treyz with music and lyrics written.
Cotton patch gospel premiered at the lambs theater in new york city on october 21, 1981. Cotton gospel patch the greatest story ever retold book by. Cotton patch gospel aint no busy signalsspitball duration. The cotton patch gospel recasts the stories of jesus and the letters of paul and peter into the language of the mid20th century south. More than a translation, the cotton patch gospel continues to make clear the startling relevance of scripture for today. Born out of the civil rights struggle, these now classic translations of much of the new testament bring the faraway places of scipture closer to home. Harry chapin cotton patch gospel album lyrics letssingit. Born out of the civil rights struggle, these now classic translations of much of the new testament bring the faraway places of scripture closer to home.
Gainesville, selma, birmingham, atlanta, washington, d. The cotton patch version of the new testament is a. More than a translation, the cotton patch gospel continues to make cle. The cotton patch version of pauls epistles, the cotton patch version of luke and acts. Gainesville, selma, birmingham, atlanta, and washington, d. The original production of cotton patch gospel was done with 5 actors.
For the first time ever, all four books are available in one hardback volume. Cotton patch gospel originator of cotton patch gospel recreates beginning as solo performance in 1979, tom key was wondering what he would do next after a successful national tour of his oneman play c. Cotton patch gospel is a colloquial translation of most of the new testament by southern baptist minister clarence jordan. The cotton patch gospel recasts the stories of jesus and the letters of paul and peter into the language and culture of the mid20th century. Based on the book the cotton patch version of matthew and john by. Though the setting and the styling of the language greatly differs from the. Born out of the civil rights struggle, these nowclassic translations of much of the new testament bring the faraway places of scripture closer to home. One actor played the speaking roles, and the other four were the members of the. The cotton patch gospels and new testament letters were written by clarence jordan, a new testament ph. This awardwinning musical drama is alegslappin, toetappin, handclappin hoedown of a storythe retells the gospels of matthew and john translatedinto present day southern vernacular.
Now for the first time collected in a single, hardcover volume, this edition comes complete with a new introduction by president jimmy carter, a foreword by will d. The cotton patch gospel recasts the stories of jesus and the apostolic letters into the language and culture of the mid20th century south. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our. Lewis on stage when he spotted a postcard advertising british actor, alec mcgowens presentation of saint marks gospel. The cotton patch version of hebrews and the general epistles.
Both a biblical scholar and a prophetic man of action, clarence jordan lived out the new testament in the soil of rural georgia. With tom key, scott ainslie, pete corum, jim lauderdale. The music and lyrics were completed by folk singer harry chapin shortly before. From the cotton patch gospel book the cotton pickers while not directly involved in the creation of cotton patch gospel, the cotton pickers were the original four musicians who were part of the shows initial new york run, and who also appear on the videotaped performance. Clarence jordan july 29, 1912 october 29, 1969, a farmer and new testament greek scholar, was the founder of koinonia farm, a small but influential religious community in southwest georgia and the author of the cotton patch paraphrase of the new testament. C05000 to help you find the perfect musical for your next performance, we have provided this overview of the.
Written by tom key and russell treyz, and with music and lyrics by harry chapin, cotton patch gospel adapted clarence jordans cotton patch versions of. Something brewing in gainesville i did itmama is here it isnt easy. The official facebook page of the cotton patch, your quilt shop since 2009. Originally published separately in 4 vols the cotton patch version of matthew and john, 1970. His nephew, hamilton jordan, served as white house chief of staff. Basis, clarence jordans translation of the gospels of matthew and john,the cotton patch version of matthew and john.
The cotton patch gospel, by koinonia farm founder clarence jordan, recasts the stories of jesus. Cotton patch gospel cotton patch gospel has been highly acclaimed by critics and public alike. Gainesville, selma, birmingham, atlanta, washington d. Tracklist with lyrics of the album cotton patch gospel 2011 from harry chapin. Custom made theatre company bringing great works to the. I have been having an intriguing time this winter studying the commercial versions, from an early 1950s release called day of triumph to jesus of montreal as part of my doctor of ministry study of images of. It brings the far awayplaces of nazareth, jerusalem, and bethlehem closer to home atlanta and valdosta, georgia. The cotton patch gospel recasts the stories of jesus and the letters of paul and peter into the language and culture of the mid20th century south. Hearing parables in the cotton patch clarence jordan 19121969 was an unusually able interpreter of jesus parables.
As this gospel begins, they sing that somethins abrewin in gainesville. Bear in mind that this resource is not a biblical translation, but a creative paraphrase. Buy cotton patch gospel by clarence jordan complete collection. Cotton patch version of luke and acts book by clarence. Jordans cotton patch version of the gospels offers a chance to see jesus teachings at work in our current world. Based on the book the cotton patch version of matthew and john by clarence jordan, the story retells the life of jesus as if in modern day, rural georgia. Based on the book the cotton patch version of matthew and john by clarence jordan this archival material has been provided for educational purposes. Clarence jordans cotton patch gospel uses southern dialect, rich, earthy. Essentially a one man show with a cast of four musicians fleshing out many of the biblical characters.
The cotton patch gospel, by koinonia farm founder clarence jordan, recasts the stories of jesus and the letters of the new testament into the language and culture of the midtwentiethcentury south born out of the civil rights struggle, these nowclassic translations of much of the new testament bring the faraway places of scripture closer to home. This greatest story ever retold is based on the book the cotton patch version of matthew and john by clarence jordan in which the gospel is presented in a. Author of clarence jordans cotton patch gospel, the cotton patch version of hebrews and the general epistles, cotton patch version of luke and acts, the cotton patch version of pauls epistles, the cotton patch version of matthew and john, the substance of faith, sermon on the mount koinonia publication, practical religion. The cotton patch version of the new testament softwarecases. The cotton patch gospel, by koinonia farm founder clarence jordan, recasts the stories of jesus and the letters of paul and peter into the language and culture of the mid20th century south. New introduction by former president jimmy carter, foreword by civil rights leader will. It brings the far away places of nazareth, jerusalem, and bethlehem closer to home atlanta. Those who never heard clarence jordan speak will welcome the opportunity to get to know him through his. A filmed stageplay recounting the story of jesus as set in modern day georgia with music and reverent humor added.
Clarence jordan died suddenly of a heart attack in 1969. He was also instrumental in the founding of habitat for humanity. Not only his academic study, but also his smalltown background and experiences in establishing the interracial koinonia farm in the 1940s shaped his ability to hear the parables in the cotton patch. Buy the cotton patch gospel complete collection by clarence. Buy a cheap copy of the cotton patch version of hebrews and. Herod is the mayor of atlanta and, inevitably, christ is. Gainesville, selma, birmingham, atlanta, washington. The cotton patch gospel, by koinonia farm founder clarence jordan, recasts the. This greatest story ever retold is based on the book the cotton patch version of matthew and john by clarence jordan in which the gospel is presented in a setting of rural georgia with country music songs, the final and perhaps best work of harry chapin. A visionary during the struggle for the civil rights of all gods children, he founded an interracial community called koinonia. Written by tom key and russell treyz, and with music and lyrics by harry chapin, cotton patch gospel adapted clarence jordans cotton patch versions of the gospels of matthew and john for the stage. Between 1968 and 1973 jordan published four cotton patch volumes. The cotton patch gospel, by koinonia farm founder clarence jordan, recasts the stories of jesus and the letters of the new testament into the language and culture of the midtwentiethcentury south.