Dylan’s version
Dylan is closer to Bill Monroe’s version than to the Stanley Brothers’, both in the lyrics and in the turn to A7 (D7 in Monroe’s version) in the verse.
If anyone can make out what he is (or should be) singing in the first verse, I’d be happy to receive a note. The only radical difference from the older versions is the end of the lines in the chorus: they hold them and weave a little something between the voices – Dylan & Co cut it short.
G
G C G
I hear a voice calling, it must be our Lord
D D7
He's calling from heaven on high
G C G C/g G
I hear a voice calling, I've gained the reward
D G C/g G
In the land where we never shall die
G C G
[The Saviour has] paid a great price for me
A7 D D7
He died on the hill so [my friends?] should go free
G C G
Well, I'll follow his footsteps up the narrow way
G D G
And be ready to meet him when he calls on that day
[n.c.] G I hear a voice calling, it must be our Lord He's calling from heaven on high I hear a voice calling, I've gained the reward In the land where we never shall die.
He died on the cross, that old rugged cross So we should be saved in our sins and our loss So I'll follow his footsteps up the narrow way And be ready to meet him when he calls on that day
I hear a voice calling, it must be our Lord
He's calling from heaven on high
I hear a voice calling, I've gained the reward
In the land where we never shall die.
In the land where we never shall die.
C/g G
In the land where we never shall die.
Bill Monroe’s version
Capo 3rd fret
Intro and interlude(sounding one octave higher on the mandolin):
C G C
. : . . : . . : . . : . .
---0---3-|-0-----------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
-1-------|-----------1-------|-------------------|-------------------|-1-----------------|
---------|-------------0-----|-------------------|-----------------0-|-------------------|
---------|-----------------2-|-3---------2-----0-|-------------2-----|-------------------|
---------|-------------------|-------------2-----|-3---------3-------|-------------------|
---------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
C F C
I hear a voice calling, it must be our Lord [it must be, it must be our lord]
G
It's coming from heaven on high
C F C
I hear a voice calling, I've gained the reward [I've gained, I've gained the reward]
G C
For the land where we never shall die
C F C
The Saviour has paid a great price for me
D7 G (G7)
He gave his life on Calvary
C F C
So I'll follow his footsteps up the narrow way
C G C
And be ready to meet him when he calls on that day
I hear a voice calling, it must be our Lord It's coming from heaven on high I hear a voice calling, I've gained the reward For the land where we never shall die.
He died on the cross, the old rugged cross
D7 G G7
That we would be saved from sin and our loss
So I'll follow his footsteps up the narrow way
And we'll pay our debts on that great judgement day *)
I hear a voice calling, it must be our Lord It's coming from heaven on high I hear a voice calling, I've gained the reward For the land where we never shall die.
*) More theologically correct would, I suppose, be: And he’ll pay our debts …, but they clearly sing we’ll …
The Stanley Brothers’ version
Capo 1st fret
C F C
I hear a voice calling, it must be our Lord [it must be, it must be our lord]
G
It's coming from heaven on high
C F C
I hear a voice calling, I've gained the reward [I've gained, I've gained the reward]
G C
For the land where we never shall die
C F/c C
The Saviour who di - ed on cruel Calvary
C G
He shared his life's blood, that the world might be free
C F/c C
So follow his footsteps up the narrow way
C G C
And be ready to meet him when he calls on that day
I hear a voice calling, it must be our Lord It's coming from heaven on high I hear a voice calling, I've gained the reward For the land where we never shall die.
The Saviour has paid a great price for me He gave his life on Calvary So follow his footsteps up the narrow way that'll pay my debt on that great judgement day
I hear a voice calling, it must be our Lord It's coming from heaven on high I hear a voice calling, I've gained the reward For the land where we never shall die.