All the Way

Bob Nolan
Original copyright: September 27, 1955

Let your heart rejoice and sing, Ro-lee-o-ley.
Where He leads we’ll follow all the way.
Hear those joyful voices ring, Ro-lee-o-ley.
Join His throng and follow all the way.

Light be the burden you bear, Ro-lee-o-ley.
One more step and you’ll be there, Ro-lee-o-ley.
Take my hand, beloved, sing, Ro-lee-o-ley.
Where He leads we’ll follow all the way.

Heart to heart in harmony, Ro-lee-o-ley.
Hand in hand together all the way.
Let the promise in this song, Ro-lee-o-ley.
Echo through the world and all the way.

Hark to the voices on high, Ro-lee-o-ley.
Hark to the voice in reply, Ro-lee-o-ley.
Take my hand, beloved, sing Ro-lee-o-ley.
Where He leads we’ll follow all the way.

Although Bob Nolan had no faith in organized religion, he had respect for a Creator, and he was a deeply spiritual person. On February 23, 1980, Ken Griffis made this entry in his journal:

"Just returned from a very pleasant three-hour visit with Bob Nolan. His initial comments centered around his concern with his relationship with Christianity. He has a strong distaste for established religious tenets. He feels the accepted Church teaching is so much foolish talk. He does feel there is some power that established the universe. He remarked that his religious songs were a sell-out — not his real concept of God. He reads Spinoza and believes that is closer to his belief."

Nolan said that his song “Relative Man” reflects his personal philosophy and belief. Nevertheless, All the Way is a beautiful hymn, and he registered it for copyright on September 27, 1955. The Sons of the Pioneers recorded it for RCA on September 9, 1955, six years after Nolan retired from the group. It was unissued by RCA until it appeared on Bear Family's The Sons of the Pioneers: Cowboy Country BFX 15071, 1981-2.

Nolan left the group in 1949, but he recorded with the Sons of the Pioneers from February 1955 to September 1957. The trio on the recording of All the Way was Nolan, Lloyd Perryman, and Ken Curtis. D. Rice was leader, J. Sperling on the drums, R. Bundock on bass violin, A. Hendrickson and B. Gibbons on guitar, B. Armstrong on piano, J. Maphis on banjo, and J. Hilliard on harmonica.

This song was originally published by Bob Nolan Music, Inc.
Original copyright: September 27, 1955

RCA 5850, recorded September 9 in 1955, Hollywood California, unissued
Bear Family 15071, Cowboy Country, 1982