Where Could I Go? -- J.B. Coats

 

They called him J.B., but he was born and possibly named after the 15^th American president – James Buchanan Coats. But, that detail doesn’t really tell us much about J.B. Coats, who was a Mississippian from birth until his death, perhaps not straying too far from the Smith County area that he called home (see the map-photo). (Since the 15^th president did not hail from Coats’ native Mississippi [instead, he was from Pennsylvania], perhaps J.B. Coats had some significant person in his family history who bore the name James Buchanan.) J.B. evidently had an upbringing that afforded him musical opportunities, including a time when he was 39 years old, when he composed a musical question “Where Could I Go?”. He had been engaged in music since childhood, so his creative ability came as no surprise in 1940 when he penned three verses to answer his own question.  

 

J.B.’s musical reputation was apparently established early in his life, ultimately leading to his role as a staff writer for the Stamps-Baxter Music Company and a posthumous induction into the Gospel Music Association’s Gospel Music Hall of Fame (in 1992). One might not suspect that J.B. would earn such recognition, when his musical output – less than 200 songs --is examined. But, J.B.’s contributions also emerged in the classroom and as a conductor, even from childhood. He reportedly began his lifetime of musical endeavors at the age of 14, which included teaching in schools and conducting singing during evangelism campaigns. He had undoubtedly been exposed to many fellow musical talents for 20-25 years by the time he authored ‘Where Could I Go?’. His association with Stamps-Baxter, for example, must have sparked collaborative episodes with like-minded writers. Many questions could be asked regarding how and why he could ask his musical question in 1940. Was there one that J.B. encountered who was the catalyst for his three verses in 1940? His verses sound like a fellow reflecting upon his friends (v.3) and neighbors (v.2) in Mississippi – was it one of these that helped spark J.B.’s words? Or, was there some trouble at the time (like the latter stages of the American Great Depression, as well as the cataclysmic World War II that had started in Europe), which engendered some angst about ‘this old sinful world’ (v.1). We might have said ‘Unknown…’ is the briefest, most honest answer, but a great-granddaughter (Gina—see posted comment below at end of entry) has responded to this, saying that she was always told that J.B. was in fact trying to comfort a dying friend when he composed ‘Where Could I Go?’. Let’s all make it our aim to ask him someday in some future, eternal state to confirm his great-granddaughter’s thoughts! We might meet Gina there too, as she gets to know the great-grandpa who went to eternity just a few weeks after her terrestrial life began.   

 

J.B.’s sentiments are not uncommon among us terrestrials. While one’s lifecycle might contain lots of repulsive episodes – the ‘temptations sore’ of which Coats wrote – there are also very rewarding relationships with neighbors, friends, and loved ones which make earthly life fulfilling. In either circumstance, whether my life’s ugly or beautiful, going to another realm is unavoidable. The great beyond awaits, whether you and I accept this. J.B. knew this, and recommended the direction he was going. Is there a better one to walk toward, than the One who made you and me, this One who has also gone down this same pathway that I must go? He’s blazed the trail. Are you willing to follow?     

 

See some scant details about the author here:  http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/c/o/a/coats_jb.htm

 

See also here:   https://hymnary.org/tune/living_below_in_this_old_sinful_coats