The Beatles' First is the first British packaging of the 1962 German album by Tony Sheridan and The Beat Brothers called My Bonnie. It was recorded in Hamburg in 1961. It has been released in 1964, 1967 and 2004.
The Beatles' First was released in 1964 by German Polydor and was available in the UK as an import. On 4 August 1967, Polydor officially released the album in the UK, but with a different sleeve and catalogue number 236-201.
In the US, the album was released under the title In the Beginning (Circa 1960) in 1970 (Polydor 24-4504.)
In New Zealand, the album was released three times: firstly in 1966 (cat. no. 237632, as above), secondly in the early 70's titled The Beatles in Hamburg (cat. no. NZ SP 125), the track "Take Out Some Insurance on Me, Baby" was retitled "If You Love Me, Baby", and in 1977 as a double LP (cat. no. 118)
All subsequent releases of the Tony Sheridan/Beatles/Beat Brothers recordings are repackages of the same tracks.
This title is available in an expanded double CD set subtitled Deluxe Edition, with bonus tracks which was issued by Universal Music on 12 June 2004. The main tracks are in stereo on the first CD and in mono on the second CD. This release also contained a new sleeve. The similar album The Early Tapes of The Beatles (1984) was re-released on CD at a similar time to this deluxe edition release.
Chorus 1:
(Pray on my child),
pray on my child,
(gotta home on high),
yes, I’ve got a home on high.
(You know I’ve been)
talked about sure as you’re born
(I need Jesus)
Jesus to carry me home.
(If I)
never ever see you no more,
(I wonder will you)
meet me on the other shore.
Pray on my child,
pray on my child,
yes, I’ve got a home on high.
Verse:
I remember the day, I rememer it well
(pray on just pray on)
The Lord saved me from a burning hell
(pray on just pray on)
Talk about me as much as you please
(pray on just pray on)
the more you talk , I’ll gonna be on my knees
(pray on just pray on)
Chorus 2:
(Pray on my child),
pray on my child,
(gotta home on high),
yes, I’ve got a home on high.
(You know I’ve been)
talked about sure as you’re born
(I need Jesus)
Jesus will carry me home.
(If I)
never see a smiling face,
(I wanna be)
saved by Your marvelous grace.
Vamp:
Pray on my child,
pray on my child.