OLD TIME RELIGION - Free Jazz Leadsheet

“Old Time Religion” is a traditional African American spiritual that originated in the 19th century. The song emphasizes faith, devotion, and communal participation, often performed in church and revival settings.

Early recordings include gospel and spiritual groups in the 1920s, featuring call-and-response singing and simple melodic lines adaptable for congregational performance. Its repetitive, easily memorized structure encourages participation and improvisation.

Artists such as Louis Armstrong, Mahalia Jackson, and contemporary gospel choirs have performed it, blending traditional melodies with jazz or blues elements. The song’s message of steadfast faith and spiritual perseverance remains central to its enduring appeal.