"One day when I was walkin' along,De element opened, an' de love came down,I never shall forget dat day,When Jesus washed my sins away."
"One day when I was walkin' along,De element opened, an' de love came down,I never shall forget dat day,When Jesus washed my sins away."
"One day when I was walkin' along,De element opened, an' de love came down,I never shall forget dat day,When Jesus washed my sins away."
"One day when I was walkin' along,
De element opened, an' de love came down,
I never shall forget dat day,
When Jesus washed my sins away."
They also sang such words as these:[43]
"Jesus snatched me from de doors of hell,An' took me in with him to dwell.""Jesus told you ... go in peace an' sin no mo'.""Soul done anchored in Jesus Christ."
"Jesus snatched me from de doors of hell,An' took me in with him to dwell.""Jesus told you ... go in peace an' sin no mo'.""Soul done anchored in Jesus Christ."
"Jesus snatched me from de doors of hell,An' took me in with him to dwell.""Jesus told you ... go in peace an' sin no mo'.""Soul done anchored in Jesus Christ."
"Jesus snatched me from de doors of hell,
An' took me in with him to dwell."
"Jesus told you ... go in peace an' sin no mo'."
"Soul done anchored in Jesus Christ."
With reference to the wilderness, where, without food, they overcame the spirit of evil by the aid of Jesus, andwith reference to the life led after having this experience, the slaves sang with much feeling:[44]
"All true children gwine in de wilderness,Gwine in de wilderness, gwine in de wilderness,True believers gwine in de wilderness,To take away de sins ob de world.""Stay in the field, stay in the field, stay inthe field, till de war is ended."[45]"You say your Jesus set-a you free;View de land, view de land,Why don't you let-a your neighbor be,Go view de heavenly land.You say you're aiming for de skies,Why don't you stop-a your telling lies?"[46]
"All true children gwine in de wilderness,Gwine in de wilderness, gwine in de wilderness,True believers gwine in de wilderness,To take away de sins ob de world.""Stay in the field, stay in the field, stay inthe field, till de war is ended."[45]"You say your Jesus set-a you free;View de land, view de land,Why don't you let-a your neighbor be,Go view de heavenly land.You say you're aiming for de skies,Why don't you stop-a your telling lies?"[46]
"All true children gwine in de wilderness,Gwine in de wilderness, gwine in de wilderness,True believers gwine in de wilderness,To take away de sins ob de world."
"All true children gwine in de wilderness,
Gwine in de wilderness, gwine in de wilderness,
True believers gwine in de wilderness,
To take away de sins ob de world."
"Stay in the field, stay in the field, stay inthe field, till de war is ended."[45]
"Stay in the field, stay in the field, stay in
the field, till de war is ended."[45]
"You say your Jesus set-a you free;View de land, view de land,Why don't you let-a your neighbor be,Go view de heavenly land.You say you're aiming for de skies,Why don't you stop-a your telling lies?"[46]
"You say your Jesus set-a you free;
View de land, view de land,
Why don't you let-a your neighbor be,
Go view de heavenly land.
You say you're aiming for de skies,
Why don't you stop-a your telling lies?"[46]
Another ceremonial feature of slave-conversion was the shout, in which the prospective convert, upon the "mourners' bench," surrounded by a group of singing dancers, prayed continually, until convinced of perfect relief from damnation, when he leaped and ran to proclaim the joyous news. When shouting, whether for making converts or for mere group-response, these noisy, black singers of antiphonal songs preferred to be alone in some cabin or in the praise-house, where they could express themselves with absolute freedom.
Just how they disturbed the peace is expressed in the following words: "Almost every night there is a meeting of these noisy, frantic worshippers.... Midnight! Is that the season for religious convocation?... is that the accepted time?"[47]Concerning worship by a light-wood fire another said: "But the benches are pushed back to the wall when the formal meeting is over, and old and young, men and women ... begin, first walking and by and by shuffling around, one after the other, in a ring. The foot is hardly taken from the floor and the progression is mainly due to a jerking, hitching motionwhich agitates the entire shouter and soon brings out streams of perspiration. Sometimes they dance silently; sometimes as they shuffle they sing the course of the spiritual, and sometimes the song itself is also sung by the dancers. But more frequently a band, composed of some of the best singers and of tired shouters, stand at the side of the room to 'face' the others singing the body of the song and dropping their hands together or on their knees. Song and dance are alike extremely energetic and often, when the shout lasts into the middle of the night, the monotonous thud, thud of the feet prevents sleep within half a mile of the praise-house."[48]
"And all night, as I waked at intervals, I could hear them praying and 'shouting' and chattering with hands and heels," relates Colonel T. W. Higginson. "It seemed to make them very happy, and appeared to be at least an innocent Christian dissipation ... the dusky figures moved in the rhythmical barbaric dance the Negroes called a 'shout,' chanting, often harshly, but always in the most perfect time, some monotonous refrain."[49]
"By this time every man within hearing, from oldest to youngest, would be wriggling and shuffling, as if through some piper's bewitchment; for even those who at first affected contemptuous indifference would be drawn into the vortex ere long."[50]
Whatever may be said about the "shout," the fact remains, that whether this ceremony was mere play, or relaxation after a day of repressing toil, or whether it served to drive away a hostile spirit by creating within the members of the group the feeling of being possessed with the power of God, it became an indispensable part of the slave religious worship. In this Christian dance, the slave sang:"O shout, shout, de debbil is about, O shut yo' do' an' keep him out." Through it he expected to destroy the kingdom of Satan, and thereby make the assurance of reaching heaven more complete. The feeling gained thereby became spiritual balm for the aches of by-gone and coming days.[51]
The songs, also, used by the slave in these meetings and sung generally by the individuals thereof, tell in a very definite way what the religious attitude of the American Negro slave was. They relate the sorrows of this world, and the joys felt by the slave, who anticipated a home in heaven. They describe in naive imagery the rugged journey of the weary traveler and the land of his happy destination. "Nothing," says Washington, "tells more truly what the Negro's life in slavery was, than the songs in which he succeeded, sometimes, in expressing his deepest thoughts and feelings. What, for example, could express more eloquently the feelings of despair which sometimes overtook the slave than these simple and expressive words:[52]'O Lord, O my Lord! O my good Lord! keep me from sinking down.'"
Unable to sing or pray during the lifetime of their master, after his death, by permission of their mistress, a crowd of Negro slaves sang the following hymn:
"Oh walk togedder, children,Don't yer get weary,Walk togedder, children,Don't yer get weary,Walk togedder, children,Don't yer get weary,Dere's a great camp meetin' in de Promised Land.Gwine to mourn an' nebber tire ...Mourn an' nebber tire,Mourn an' nebber tire,Dere's a great camp meetin' in de Promised Land."[53]
"Oh walk togedder, children,Don't yer get weary,Walk togedder, children,Don't yer get weary,Walk togedder, children,Don't yer get weary,Dere's a great camp meetin' in de Promised Land.Gwine to mourn an' nebber tire ...Mourn an' nebber tire,Mourn an' nebber tire,Dere's a great camp meetin' in de Promised Land."[53]
"Oh walk togedder, children,Don't yer get weary,Walk togedder, children,Don't yer get weary,Walk togedder, children,Don't yer get weary,Dere's a great camp meetin' in de Promised Land.Gwine to mourn an' nebber tire ...Mourn an' nebber tire,Mourn an' nebber tire,Dere's a great camp meetin' in de Promised Land."[53]
"Oh walk togedder, children,
Don't yer get weary,
Walk togedder, children,
Don't yer get weary,
Walk togedder, children,
Don't yer get weary,
Dere's a great camp meetin' in de Promised Land.
Gwine to mourn an' nebber tire ...
Mourn an' nebber tire,
Mourn an' nebber tire,
Dere's a great camp meetin' in de Promised Land."[53]
With longing for that mother who used to carry him upon her back to the dewy fields, where she, setting her babe upon the springing grass at the end of the row, beganher daily task with the hoe, returning now and then to give him of her breast; for her whose beaming eyes turned back until the coming of the night, when she again held him in her arms, the slave sang in bitter tears. Her tender help was gone. Father's smile was no more.[54]
"My mother's sick an' my father's dead,Got nowhere to lay my weary head.""My mother an' my father both are dead ...Good Lord, I cannot stay here by myself.I'm er pore little orphan chile in de worl',I'm er pore little orphan chile in de worl' ..."[55]"My mother'n yo' mother both daid an' gone,My mother'n yo' mother both daid an' gone,Po' sinner man he so hard to believe.My folks an' yo' folks both daid an' gone,Po' sinner man he so hard to believe.My brother an' yo' brother both daid an' gone,Po' sinner man he so hard to believe."[56]
"My mother's sick an' my father's dead,Got nowhere to lay my weary head.""My mother an' my father both are dead ...Good Lord, I cannot stay here by myself.I'm er pore little orphan chile in de worl',I'm er pore little orphan chile in de worl' ..."[55]"My mother'n yo' mother both daid an' gone,My mother'n yo' mother both daid an' gone,Po' sinner man he so hard to believe.My folks an' yo' folks both daid an' gone,Po' sinner man he so hard to believe.My brother an' yo' brother both daid an' gone,Po' sinner man he so hard to believe."[56]
"My mother's sick an' my father's dead,Got nowhere to lay my weary head."
"My mother's sick an' my father's dead,
Got nowhere to lay my weary head."
"My mother an' my father both are dead ...Good Lord, I cannot stay here by myself.I'm er pore little orphan chile in de worl',I'm er pore little orphan chile in de worl' ..."[55]
"My mother an' my father both are dead ...
Good Lord, I cannot stay here by myself.
I'm er pore little orphan chile in de worl',
I'm er pore little orphan chile in de worl' ..."[55]
"My mother'n yo' mother both daid an' gone,My mother'n yo' mother both daid an' gone,Po' sinner man he so hard to believe.My folks an' yo' folks both daid an' gone,Po' sinner man he so hard to believe.My brother an' yo' brother both daid an' gone,Po' sinner man he so hard to believe."[56]
"My mother'n yo' mother both daid an' gone,
My mother'n yo' mother both daid an' gone,
Po' sinner man he so hard to believe.
My folks an' yo' folks both daid an' gone,
Po' sinner man he so hard to believe.
My brother an' yo' brother both daid an' gone,
Po' sinner man he so hard to believe."[56]
With great hope the slave sang:
"Gwine to see my mother some o' dese mornin's,See my mother some o' dese mornin's,See my mother some o' dese mornin's,Look away in de heaven,Look away in de heaven, Lord,Hope I'll jine de band.Look away in de heaven, Lord,Hope I'll jine de band."[57]
"Gwine to see my mother some o' dese mornin's,See my mother some o' dese mornin's,See my mother some o' dese mornin's,Look away in de heaven,Look away in de heaven, Lord,Hope I'll jine de band.Look away in de heaven, Lord,Hope I'll jine de band."[57]
"Gwine to see my mother some o' dese mornin's,See my mother some o' dese mornin's,See my mother some o' dese mornin's,Look away in de heaven,Look away in de heaven, Lord,Hope I'll jine de band.Look away in de heaven, Lord,Hope I'll jine de band."[57]
"Gwine to see my mother some o' dese mornin's,
See my mother some o' dese mornin's,
See my mother some o' dese mornin's,
Look away in de heaven,
Look away in de heaven, Lord,
Hope I'll jine de band.
Look away in de heaven, Lord,
Hope I'll jine de band."[57]
To express his sorrow and his longing for relief from the burdens of his condition the slave sang:
"One more valient soldier here,One more valient soldier here,One more valient soldier here,To help me bear de cross."[58]
"One more valient soldier here,One more valient soldier here,One more valient soldier here,To help me bear de cross."[58]
"One more valient soldier here,One more valient soldier here,One more valient soldier here,To help me bear de cross."[58]
"One more valient soldier here,
One more valient soldier here,
One more valient soldier here,
To help me bear de cross."[58]
"My trouble is hard,O yes,My trouble is hard,O yes,Yes indeed my trouble is hard."[59]
"My trouble is hard,O yes,My trouble is hard,O yes,Yes indeed my trouble is hard."[59]
"My trouble is hard,O yes,My trouble is hard,O yes,Yes indeed my trouble is hard."[59]
"My trouble is hard,
O yes,
My trouble is hard,
O yes,
Yes indeed my trouble is hard."[59]
"Nobody knows the trouble I've seen,Nobody knows but Jesus.Nobody knows the trouble I've seen,Glory halleluyah!Sometimes I'm up, sometimes I'm down!O yes, Lord!Sometimes I'm almost to de groun'!O yes, Lord!What makes old Satan hate me so?O yes, Lord,Because he got me once, but he let me go;O yes, Lord!"[60]
"Nobody knows the trouble I've seen,Nobody knows but Jesus.Nobody knows the trouble I've seen,Glory halleluyah!Sometimes I'm up, sometimes I'm down!O yes, Lord!Sometimes I'm almost to de groun'!O yes, Lord!What makes old Satan hate me so?O yes, Lord,Because he got me once, but he let me go;O yes, Lord!"[60]
"Nobody knows the trouble I've seen,Nobody knows but Jesus.Nobody knows the trouble I've seen,Glory halleluyah!Sometimes I'm up, sometimes I'm down!O yes, Lord!Sometimes I'm almost to de groun'!O yes, Lord!What makes old Satan hate me so?O yes, Lord,Because he got me once, but he let me go;O yes, Lord!"[60]
"Nobody knows the trouble I've seen,
Nobody knows but Jesus.
Nobody knows the trouble I've seen,
Glory halleluyah!
Sometimes I'm up, sometimes I'm down!
O yes, Lord!
Sometimes I'm almost to de groun'!
O yes, Lord!
What makes old Satan hate me so?
O yes, Lord,
Because he got me once, but he let me go;
O yes, Lord!"[60]
"Ever since my Lord done set me free,Dis ole worl' been a hell to me,I am de light un de worl'."[61]
"Ever since my Lord done set me free,Dis ole worl' been a hell to me,I am de light un de worl'."[61]
"Ever since my Lord done set me free,Dis ole worl' been a hell to me,I am de light un de worl'."[61]
"Ever since my Lord done set me free,
Dis ole worl' been a hell to me,
I am de light un de worl'."[61]
"Oh, what a hard time,Oh, what a hard time,Oh, what a hard time,All God's children have a hard time."Oh, what a hard time,Oh, what a hard time,Oh, what a hard time,My Lord had a hard time too."[62]
"Oh, what a hard time,Oh, what a hard time,Oh, what a hard time,All God's children have a hard time."Oh, what a hard time,Oh, what a hard time,Oh, what a hard time,My Lord had a hard time too."[62]
"Oh, what a hard time,Oh, what a hard time,Oh, what a hard time,All God's children have a hard time.
"Oh, what a hard time,
Oh, what a hard time,
Oh, what a hard time,
All God's children have a hard time.
"Oh, what a hard time,Oh, what a hard time,Oh, what a hard time,My Lord had a hard time too."[62]
"Oh, what a hard time,
Oh, what a hard time,
Oh, what a hard time,
My Lord had a hard time too."[62]
"I'm a-trouble in de mind,O I'm a-trouble in de mind.I'm a-trouble in de mind,What you doubt for?I'm a-trouble in de mind."[63]
"I'm a-trouble in de mind,O I'm a-trouble in de mind.I'm a-trouble in de mind,What you doubt for?I'm a-trouble in de mind."[63]
"I'm a-trouble in de mind,O I'm a-trouble in de mind.I'm a-trouble in de mind,What you doubt for?I'm a-trouble in de mind."[63]
"I'm a-trouble in de mind,
O I'm a-trouble in de mind.
I'm a-trouble in de mind,
What you doubt for?
I'm a-trouble in de mind."[63]
"I'm in trouble, Lord,I'm in trouble.I'm in trouble, Lord,Trouble about my grave,Trouble about my grave,Trouble about my grave.Sometimes I weep, sometimes I mourn,I'm in trouble about my grave;Sometimes I can't do neither one,I'm in trouble about my grave."[64]
"I'm in trouble, Lord,I'm in trouble.I'm in trouble, Lord,Trouble about my grave,Trouble about my grave,Trouble about my grave.Sometimes I weep, sometimes I mourn,I'm in trouble about my grave;Sometimes I can't do neither one,I'm in trouble about my grave."[64]
"I'm in trouble, Lord,I'm in trouble.I'm in trouble, Lord,Trouble about my grave,Trouble about my grave,Trouble about my grave.Sometimes I weep, sometimes I mourn,I'm in trouble about my grave;Sometimes I can't do neither one,I'm in trouble about my grave."[64]
"I'm in trouble, Lord,
I'm in trouble.
I'm in trouble, Lord,
Trouble about my grave,
Trouble about my grave,
Trouble about my grave.
Sometimes I weep, sometimes I mourn,
I'm in trouble about my grave;
Sometimes I can't do neither one,
I'm in trouble about my grave."[64]
"My father, how long,My father, how long,My father, how long,Poor sinner suffer here?And it won't be long,And it won't be long,And it won't be long,Poor sinner suffer here.We'll soon be free,De Lord will call us home.We'll walk de miry roadWhere pleasure never dies.We'll walk de golden streetsOf de new Jerusalem ...We'll fight for libertyWhen de Lord will call us home."[65]
"My father, how long,My father, how long,My father, how long,Poor sinner suffer here?And it won't be long,And it won't be long,And it won't be long,Poor sinner suffer here.We'll soon be free,De Lord will call us home.We'll walk de miry roadWhere pleasure never dies.We'll walk de golden streetsOf de new Jerusalem ...We'll fight for libertyWhen de Lord will call us home."[65]
"My father, how long,My father, how long,My father, how long,Poor sinner suffer here?And it won't be long,And it won't be long,And it won't be long,Poor sinner suffer here.We'll soon be free,De Lord will call us home.We'll walk de miry roadWhere pleasure never dies.We'll walk de golden streetsOf de new Jerusalem ...We'll fight for libertyWhen de Lord will call us home."[65]
"My father, how long,
My father, how long,
My father, how long,
Poor sinner suffer here?
And it won't be long,
And it won't be long,
And it won't be long,
Poor sinner suffer here.
We'll soon be free,
De Lord will call us home.
We'll walk de miry road
Where pleasure never dies.
We'll walk de golden streets
Of de new Jerusalem ...
We'll fight for liberty
When de Lord will call us home."[65]
"Gwine rock trubbel over,I b'lieve,Rock trubbel over,I b'lieve,Dat Sabbath has no end."[66]
"Gwine rock trubbel over,I b'lieve,Rock trubbel over,I b'lieve,Dat Sabbath has no end."[66]
"Gwine rock trubbel over,I b'lieve,Rock trubbel over,I b'lieve,Dat Sabbath has no end."[66]
"Gwine rock trubbel over,
I b'lieve,
Rock trubbel over,
I b'lieve,
Dat Sabbath has no end."[66]
"My fader's done wid de trouble o' de world,Wid de trouble o' de world,Wid de trouble o' de world,My fader's done wid de trouble o' de world,Outshine de sun."[67]
"My fader's done wid de trouble o' de world,Wid de trouble o' de world,Wid de trouble o' de world,My fader's done wid de trouble o' de world,Outshine de sun."[67]
"My fader's done wid de trouble o' de world,Wid de trouble o' de world,Wid de trouble o' de world,My fader's done wid de trouble o' de world,Outshine de sun."[67]
"My fader's done wid de trouble o' de world,
Wid de trouble o' de world,
Wid de trouble o' de world,
My fader's done wid de trouble o' de world,
Outshine de sun."[67]
Although the songs above tell the slave's dissatisfaction with the present world, there are other songs that relate his definite experiences of joy arising from a feeling of triumph over this world of sorrow by assurances of a future world of bliss. Some of these songs of joy are the following:
"I started home, but I did pray,An' I met ole Satan on de way;Ole Satan made a one grab at me,But he missed my soul, an' I went free.My sins went a-lumberin' down to hell,An' my soul went a-leapin' up Zion's hill."[68]
"I started home, but I did pray,An' I met ole Satan on de way;Ole Satan made a one grab at me,But he missed my soul, an' I went free.My sins went a-lumberin' down to hell,An' my soul went a-leapin' up Zion's hill."[68]
"I started home, but I did pray,An' I met ole Satan on de way;Ole Satan made a one grab at me,But he missed my soul, an' I went free.My sins went a-lumberin' down to hell,An' my soul went a-leapin' up Zion's hill."[68]
"I started home, but I did pray,
An' I met ole Satan on de way;
Ole Satan made a one grab at me,
But he missed my soul, an' I went free.
My sins went a-lumberin' down to hell,
An' my soul went a-leapin' up Zion's hill."[68]
"Ole Satan's church is here below.Up to God's free church I hope to go.Cry Amen, cry Amen, cry Amen to God!"[69]
"Ole Satan's church is here below.Up to God's free church I hope to go.Cry Amen, cry Amen, cry Amen to God!"[69]
"Ole Satan's church is here below.Up to God's free church I hope to go.Cry Amen, cry Amen, cry Amen to God!"[69]
"Ole Satan's church is here below.
Up to God's free church I hope to go.
Cry Amen, cry Amen, cry Amen to God!"[69]
"I'm so glad, so glad;I'm so glad, so glad,Glad I got religion, so glad,Glad I got religion, so glad.I'm so glad, so glad;I'm so glad, so glad,Glad I bin' changed, so glad,Glad I bin' changed, so glad."[70]
"I'm so glad, so glad;I'm so glad, so glad,Glad I got religion, so glad,Glad I got religion, so glad.I'm so glad, so glad;I'm so glad, so glad,Glad I bin' changed, so glad,Glad I bin' changed, so glad."[70]
"I'm so glad, so glad;I'm so glad, so glad,Glad I got religion, so glad,Glad I got religion, so glad.I'm so glad, so glad;I'm so glad, so glad,Glad I bin' changed, so glad,Glad I bin' changed, so glad."[70]
"I'm so glad, so glad;
I'm so glad, so glad,
Glad I got religion, so glad,
Glad I got religion, so glad.
I'm so glad, so glad;
I'm so glad, so glad,
Glad I bin' changed, so glad,
Glad I bin' changed, so glad."[70]
"My brudder have a seat and I so glad,Good news member, good news;My brudder have a seat and I so glad,And I heard from heav'n today."[71]
"My brudder have a seat and I so glad,Good news member, good news;My brudder have a seat and I so glad,And I heard from heav'n today."[71]
"My brudder have a seat and I so glad,Good news member, good news;My brudder have a seat and I so glad,And I heard from heav'n today."[71]
"My brudder have a seat and I so glad,
Good news member, good news;
My brudder have a seat and I so glad,
And I heard from heav'n today."[71]
"Brudder, guide me home, an' I am glad,Bright angels biddy me to come;Brudder, guide me home, an' I am glad,Bright angels biddy me to come.What a happy time, chil'n,What a happy time, chil'n,What a happy time, chil'n,Bright angels biddy me to come.Let's go to God, chil'n,Bright angels biddy me to come."[72]
"Brudder, guide me home, an' I am glad,Bright angels biddy me to come;Brudder, guide me home, an' I am glad,Bright angels biddy me to come.What a happy time, chil'n,What a happy time, chil'n,What a happy time, chil'n,Bright angels biddy me to come.Let's go to God, chil'n,Bright angels biddy me to come."[72]
"Brudder, guide me home, an' I am glad,Bright angels biddy me to come;Brudder, guide me home, an' I am glad,Bright angels biddy me to come.What a happy time, chil'n,What a happy time, chil'n,What a happy time, chil'n,Bright angels biddy me to come.Let's go to God, chil'n,Bright angels biddy me to come."[72]
"Brudder, guide me home, an' I am glad,
Bright angels biddy me to come;
Brudder, guide me home, an' I am glad,
Bright angels biddy me to come.
What a happy time, chil'n,
What a happy time, chil'n,
What a happy time, chil'n,
Bright angels biddy me to come.
Let's go to God, chil'n,
Bright angels biddy me to come."[72]
"I jus' got home f'um Jordan,I jus' got home f'um Jordan,I jus' got home f'um Jordan,'Ligion's so-o-o sweet.My work is done an' I mus' go,My work is done an' I mus' go,My work is done an' I mus' go,'Ligion's so-o-o sweet."[73]
"I jus' got home f'um Jordan,I jus' got home f'um Jordan,I jus' got home f'um Jordan,'Ligion's so-o-o sweet.My work is done an' I mus' go,My work is done an' I mus' go,My work is done an' I mus' go,'Ligion's so-o-o sweet."[73]
"I jus' got home f'um Jordan,I jus' got home f'um Jordan,I jus' got home f'um Jordan,'Ligion's so-o-o sweet.My work is done an' I mus' go,My work is done an' I mus' go,My work is done an' I mus' go,'Ligion's so-o-o sweet."[73]
"I jus' got home f'um Jordan,
I jus' got home f'um Jordan,
I jus' got home f'um Jordan,
'Ligion's so-o-o sweet.
My work is done an' I mus' go,
My work is done an' I mus' go,
My work is done an' I mus' go,
'Ligion's so-o-o sweet."[73]
"Shout an' pray both night an' day;How can you die, you in de Lord?Come on, chil'n, let's go home;O I'm so glad you're in de Lord."[74]
"Shout an' pray both night an' day;How can you die, you in de Lord?Come on, chil'n, let's go home;O I'm so glad you're in de Lord."[74]
"Shout an' pray both night an' day;How can you die, you in de Lord?Come on, chil'n, let's go home;O I'm so glad you're in de Lord."[74]
"Shout an' pray both night an' day;
How can you die, you in de Lord?
Come on, chil'n, let's go home;
O I'm so glad you're in de Lord."[74]
"Little children, then won't you be glad,Little children, then won't you be glad,That you have been to heav'n, an' you gwine to go again,For to try on the long white robe, children,For to try on the long white robe."[75]
"Little children, then won't you be glad,Little children, then won't you be glad,That you have been to heav'n, an' you gwine to go again,For to try on the long white robe, children,For to try on the long white robe."[75]
"Little children, then won't you be glad,Little children, then won't you be glad,That you have been to heav'n, an' you gwine to go again,For to try on the long white robe, children,For to try on the long white robe."[75]
"Little children, then won't you be glad,
Little children, then won't you be glad,
That you have been to heav'n, an' you gwine to go again,
For to try on the long white robe, children,
For to try on the long white robe."[75]
Even a slave, when dying, cried: "I am going home! Oh, how glad I am!"[76]The following hymns also vividly set forth what happy anxiety the slave felt about his journey "home."
"Gwine to weep, gwine to mourn,Gwine to get up early in de morn,Fo' my soul's goin' to heaven jes' sho's you born,Brother Gabriel goin' ter blow his horn.Goin' to sing, goin' to pray,Goin' to pack all my things away,Fo' my soul's goin' to heaven jes' sho's you born,Brother Gabriel gwine ter blow his horn."[77]
"Gwine to weep, gwine to mourn,Gwine to get up early in de morn,Fo' my soul's goin' to heaven jes' sho's you born,Brother Gabriel goin' ter blow his horn.Goin' to sing, goin' to pray,Goin' to pack all my things away,Fo' my soul's goin' to heaven jes' sho's you born,Brother Gabriel gwine ter blow his horn."[77]
"Gwine to weep, gwine to mourn,Gwine to get up early in de morn,Fo' my soul's goin' to heaven jes' sho's you born,Brother Gabriel goin' ter blow his horn.Goin' to sing, goin' to pray,Goin' to pack all my things away,Fo' my soul's goin' to heaven jes' sho's you born,Brother Gabriel gwine ter blow his horn."[77]
"Gwine to weep, gwine to mourn,
Gwine to get up early in de morn,
Fo' my soul's goin' to heaven jes' sho's you born,
Brother Gabriel goin' ter blow his horn.
Goin' to sing, goin' to pray,
Goin' to pack all my things away,
Fo' my soul's goin' to heaven jes' sho's you born,
Brother Gabriel gwine ter blow his horn."[77]
"I want to go to Canaan,I want to go to Canaan,I want to go to Canaan,To meet 'em at de comin' day."[78]
"I want to go to Canaan,I want to go to Canaan,I want to go to Canaan,To meet 'em at de comin' day."[78]
"I want to go to Canaan,I want to go to Canaan,I want to go to Canaan,To meet 'em at de comin' day."[78]
"I want to go to Canaan,
I want to go to Canaan,
I want to go to Canaan,
To meet 'em at de comin' day."[78]
"I'm goin' home fer to see my Lord,Bear yo' burden, sinner,An' don't you wish you could go 'longBear yo' burden, let in the heat."[79]
"I'm goin' home fer to see my Lord,Bear yo' burden, sinner,An' don't you wish you could go 'longBear yo' burden, let in the heat."[79]
"I'm goin' home fer to see my Lord,Bear yo' burden, sinner,An' don't you wish you could go 'longBear yo' burden, let in the heat."[79]
"I'm goin' home fer to see my Lord,
Bear yo' burden, sinner,
An' don't you wish you could go 'long
Bear yo' burden, let in the heat."[79]
"Oh, my mudder's in de road,Most done trabelling;My mudder's in de road,Most done trabelling,My mudder's in de road,Most done trabelling,I'm bound to carry my soul to de Lord."[80]
"Oh, my mudder's in de road,Most done trabelling;My mudder's in de road,Most done trabelling,My mudder's in de road,Most done trabelling,I'm bound to carry my soul to de Lord."[80]
"Oh, my mudder's in de road,Most done trabelling;My mudder's in de road,Most done trabelling,My mudder's in de road,Most done trabelling,I'm bound to carry my soul to de Lord."[80]
"Oh, my mudder's in de road,
Most done trabelling;
My mudder's in de road,
Most done trabelling,
My mudder's in de road,
Most done trabelling,
I'm bound to carry my soul to de Lord."[80]
"Run, Mary, run,Run, Mary, run,Oh, run, Mary, run,I know de oder worl' 'm not like dis.Fire in de east an' fire in de west,I know de oder worl' 'm not like dis,Bound to burn de wilderness,I know de oder worl' 'm not like dis.Jordan's ribber is a ribber to cross,I know de oder worl' 'm not like dis,Stretch your rod an' come across,I know de oder worl' 'm not like dis."[81]
"Run, Mary, run,Run, Mary, run,Oh, run, Mary, run,I know de oder worl' 'm not like dis.Fire in de east an' fire in de west,I know de oder worl' 'm not like dis,Bound to burn de wilderness,I know de oder worl' 'm not like dis.Jordan's ribber is a ribber to cross,I know de oder worl' 'm not like dis,Stretch your rod an' come across,I know de oder worl' 'm not like dis."[81]
"Run, Mary, run,Run, Mary, run,Oh, run, Mary, run,I know de oder worl' 'm not like dis.Fire in de east an' fire in de west,I know de oder worl' 'm not like dis,Bound to burn de wilderness,I know de oder worl' 'm not like dis.Jordan's ribber is a ribber to cross,I know de oder worl' 'm not like dis,Stretch your rod an' come across,I know de oder worl' 'm not like dis."[81]
"Run, Mary, run,
Run, Mary, run,
Oh, run, Mary, run,
I know de oder worl' 'm not like dis.
Fire in de east an' fire in de west,
I know de oder worl' 'm not like dis,
Bound to burn de wilderness,
I know de oder worl' 'm not like dis.
Jordan's ribber is a ribber to cross,
I know de oder worl' 'm not like dis,
Stretch your rod an' come across,
I know de oder worl' 'm not like dis."[81]
"We will march through the valley in peace,We will march through the valley in peace;If Jesus himself be our leader,We will march through the valley in peace."[82]
"We will march through the valley in peace,We will march through the valley in peace;If Jesus himself be our leader,We will march through the valley in peace."[82]
"We will march through the valley in peace,We will march through the valley in peace;If Jesus himself be our leader,We will march through the valley in peace."[82]
"We will march through the valley in peace,
We will march through the valley in peace;
If Jesus himself be our leader,
We will march through the valley in peace."[82]
"My sister's goin' to heaven fer to see my Lord,To see my Lord, to see my Lord;Well, my sister's goin' to heaven, to see my Lord,What's de onbelievin' soul?"[83]
"My sister's goin' to heaven fer to see my Lord,To see my Lord, to see my Lord;Well, my sister's goin' to heaven, to see my Lord,What's de onbelievin' soul?"[83]
"My sister's goin' to heaven fer to see my Lord,To see my Lord, to see my Lord;Well, my sister's goin' to heaven, to see my Lord,What's de onbelievin' soul?"[83]
"My sister's goin' to heaven fer to see my Lord,
To see my Lord, to see my Lord;
Well, my sister's goin' to heaven, to see my Lord,
What's de onbelievin' soul?"[83]
"Bend-in' knees a-ach-in'Body racked wid pain,I wish I was a child of God,I'd git home bim-by.Keep prayin; I do believeWe're a long time waggin o' de crossin,Keep prayin; I do believeWe'll git home to heaven bim-by.O yonder's my old mudder,Been a-waggin' at the hill so long;It's about time she cross over,Git home bim-by.O hear dat lumerin' thunderA-roll from do' to do',A-callin' de people home to God;Dey'll git home bim-by."[84]
"Bend-in' knees a-ach-in'Body racked wid pain,I wish I was a child of God,I'd git home bim-by.Keep prayin; I do believeWe're a long time waggin o' de crossin,Keep prayin; I do believeWe'll git home to heaven bim-by.O yonder's my old mudder,Been a-waggin' at the hill so long;It's about time she cross over,Git home bim-by.O hear dat lumerin' thunderA-roll from do' to do',A-callin' de people home to God;Dey'll git home bim-by."[84]
"Bend-in' knees a-ach-in'Body racked wid pain,I wish I was a child of God,I'd git home bim-by.Keep prayin; I do believeWe're a long time waggin o' de crossin,Keep prayin; I do believeWe'll git home to heaven bim-by.O yonder's my old mudder,Been a-waggin' at the hill so long;It's about time she cross over,Git home bim-by.O hear dat lumerin' thunderA-roll from do' to do',A-callin' de people home to God;Dey'll git home bim-by."[84]
"Bend-in' knees a-ach-in'
Body racked wid pain,
I wish I was a child of God,
I'd git home bim-by.
Keep prayin; I do believe
We're a long time waggin o' de crossin,
Keep prayin; I do believe
We'll git home to heaven bim-by.
O yonder's my old mudder,
Been a-waggin' at the hill so long;
It's about time she cross over,
Git home bim-by.
O hear dat lumerin' thunder
A-roll from do' to do',
A-callin' de people home to God;
Dey'll git home bim-by."[84]
"When the roll is called up yonder,I'll be there.By the grace of God up yonder,I'll be there.Yes my home is way up yonder,An' I'll be there.I got a mother way up yonder,I'll be there.I got a sister way up yonder,I'll be there."[85]
"When the roll is called up yonder,I'll be there.By the grace of God up yonder,I'll be there.Yes my home is way up yonder,An' I'll be there.I got a mother way up yonder,I'll be there.I got a sister way up yonder,I'll be there."[85]
"When the roll is called up yonder,I'll be there.By the grace of God up yonder,I'll be there.Yes my home is way up yonder,An' I'll be there.I got a mother way up yonder,I'll be there.I got a sister way up yonder,I'll be there."[85]
"When the roll is called up yonder,
I'll be there.
By the grace of God up yonder,
I'll be there.
Yes my home is way up yonder,
An' I'll be there.
I got a mother way up yonder,
I'll be there.
I got a sister way up yonder,
I'll be there."[85]
Although this world was a hell to the slave, still he couldwait here with patience until the time of death, after which he would see the real home of his inner longing. To the slave heaven was a beautiful, comfortable place beyond the sky. It had golden streets and a sea of glass, upon which angels danced and sang in praise to Him upon the golden throne. There was no sun to burn one in that bright land of never-ending Sabbath. There kindred and friends reunited in the happiest relationships. The slave was poor, hampered, and sorrowful in this world; but in that world above, whose glory falling stars and melting elements would signify in the day of judgment, he would be rich and free to sing, shout, walk, and fly about carrying the news. There he would know no tears or the sorrow of parting, but only rest from toil and care, in the delightful companionship of the heavenly groups.
"Dere's no rain to wet you,O, yes, I want to go home.Dere's no sun to burn you,O, yes, I want to go home.O, push along believers,O, yes, I want to go home.Dere's no hard trials,O, yes, I want to go home.Dere's no whips a crackin'O, yes, I want to go home."[86]
"Dere's no rain to wet you,O, yes, I want to go home.Dere's no sun to burn you,O, yes, I want to go home.O, push along believers,O, yes, I want to go home.Dere's no hard trials,O, yes, I want to go home.Dere's no whips a crackin'O, yes, I want to go home."[86]
"Dere's no rain to wet you,O, yes, I want to go home.Dere's no sun to burn you,O, yes, I want to go home.O, push along believers,O, yes, I want to go home.Dere's no hard trials,O, yes, I want to go home.Dere's no whips a crackin'O, yes, I want to go home."[86]
"Dere's no rain to wet you,
O, yes, I want to go home.
Dere's no sun to burn you,
O, yes, I want to go home.
O, push along believers,
O, yes, I want to go home.
Dere's no hard trials,
O, yes, I want to go home.
Dere's no whips a crackin'
O, yes, I want to go home."[86]
"Oh de hebben is shinin', shinin',O Lord, de hebben is shinin' full ob love.Oh, Fare-you-well, friends,I'm gwine to tell you all,Gwine to leave you all a-mine eyes to close;De hebben is shinin' full ob love."[87]
"Oh de hebben is shinin', shinin',O Lord, de hebben is shinin' full ob love.Oh, Fare-you-well, friends,I'm gwine to tell you all,Gwine to leave you all a-mine eyes to close;De hebben is shinin' full ob love."[87]
"Oh de hebben is shinin', shinin',O Lord, de hebben is shinin' full ob love.Oh, Fare-you-well, friends,I'm gwine to tell you all,Gwine to leave you all a-mine eyes to close;De hebben is shinin' full ob love."[87]
"Oh de hebben is shinin', shinin',
O Lord, de hebben is shinin' full ob love.
Oh, Fare-you-well, friends,
I'm gwine to tell you all,
Gwine to leave you all a-mine eyes to close;
De hebben is shinin' full ob love."[87]
"How sweet a Sabbath thus to spend,In hope of one that ne'er shall end."[88]
"How sweet a Sabbath thus to spend,In hope of one that ne'er shall end."[88]
"How sweet a Sabbath thus to spend,In hope of one that ne'er shall end."[88]
"How sweet a Sabbath thus to spend,
In hope of one that ne'er shall end."[88]
"Yes my mother's goin' to heaven to outshin the sun,An it's way beyon' the moon."[89]
"Yes my mother's goin' to heaven to outshin the sun,An it's way beyon' the moon."[89]
"Yes my mother's goin' to heaven to outshin the sun,An it's way beyon' the moon."[89]
"Yes my mother's goin' to heaven to outshin the sun,
An it's way beyon' the moon."[89]
"Po' man goin' to heaven,Rich man goin' to hell,For Po' man got his starry crown,Rich man got his wealth."[90]
"Po' man goin' to heaven,Rich man goin' to hell,For Po' man got his starry crown,Rich man got his wealth."[90]
"Po' man goin' to heaven,Rich man goin' to hell,For Po' man got his starry crown,Rich man got his wealth."[90]
"Po' man goin' to heaven,
Rich man goin' to hell,
For Po' man got his starry crown,
Rich man got his wealth."[90]
"Well there are sinners here and sinners there,An' there are sinners everywhere,But I thank God that God declare,That there ain't no sinners in heaven."[91]
"Well there are sinners here and sinners there,An' there are sinners everywhere,But I thank God that God declare,That there ain't no sinners in heaven."[91]
"Well there are sinners here and sinners there,An' there are sinners everywhere,But I thank God that God declare,That there ain't no sinners in heaven."[91]
"Well there are sinners here and sinners there,
An' there are sinners everywhere,
But I thank God that God declare,
That there ain't no sinners in heaven."[91]
"O join on, join my Lord,Join de heaven wid the angels;O join on, join my Lord,Join de heaven wid de angels."[92]
"O join on, join my Lord,Join de heaven wid the angels;O join on, join my Lord,Join de heaven wid de angels."[92]
"O join on, join my Lord,Join de heaven wid the angels;O join on, join my Lord,Join de heaven wid de angels."[92]
"O join on, join my Lord,
Join de heaven wid the angels;
O join on, join my Lord,
Join de heaven wid de angels."[92]
"I'm gwin to keep a climbin' highTill I meet dem angels in de sky.Dem pooty angels I shall see—Why doan de debbil let a me be?O when I git to heaven goin sit an' tell,Three archangels gwin er ring dem bellsTwo white angels come a walkin' down,Long white robes an' starry crown.What's dat yonder, dat I see?Big tall angels comin' after me."[93]
"I'm gwin to keep a climbin' highTill I meet dem angels in de sky.Dem pooty angels I shall see—Why doan de debbil let a me be?O when I git to heaven goin sit an' tell,Three archangels gwin er ring dem bellsTwo white angels come a walkin' down,Long white robes an' starry crown.What's dat yonder, dat I see?Big tall angels comin' after me."[93]
"I'm gwin to keep a climbin' highTill I meet dem angels in de sky.Dem pooty angels I shall see—Why doan de debbil let a me be?O when I git to heaven goin sit an' tell,Three archangels gwin er ring dem bellsTwo white angels come a walkin' down,Long white robes an' starry crown.What's dat yonder, dat I see?Big tall angels comin' after me."[93]
"I'm gwin to keep a climbin' high
Till I meet dem angels in de sky.
Dem pooty angels I shall see—
Why doan de debbil let a me be?
O when I git to heaven goin sit an' tell,
Three archangels gwin er ring dem bells
Two white angels come a walkin' down,
Long white robes an' starry crown.
What's dat yonder, dat I see?
Big tall angels comin' after me."[93]
The following spirituals emphasize what the slave felt that he would do in heaven.
"Heaven, heaven,Everybody talkin' bout heaven an' goin' thereHeaven, heaven,Goin' to shine all 'round God's heaven."[94]
"Heaven, heaven,Everybody talkin' bout heaven an' goin' thereHeaven, heaven,Goin' to shine all 'round God's heaven."[94]
"Heaven, heaven,Everybody talkin' bout heaven an' goin' thereHeaven, heaven,Goin' to shine all 'round God's heaven."[94]
"Heaven, heaven,
Everybody talkin' bout heaven an' goin' there
Heaven, heaven,
Goin' to shine all 'round God's heaven."[94]
"Oh, I wish I was there,To hear my Jesus' orders,Oh, how I wish I was there, Lord,To wear my starry crown."[95]
"Oh, I wish I was there,To hear my Jesus' orders,Oh, how I wish I was there, Lord,To wear my starry crown."[95]
"Oh, I wish I was there,To hear my Jesus' orders,Oh, how I wish I was there, Lord,To wear my starry crown."[95]
"Oh, I wish I was there,
To hear my Jesus' orders,
Oh, how I wish I was there, Lord,
To wear my starry crown."[95]
"A golden band all 'round my waist,An' de palms of victory in-a my hand,An' de golden slippers on to my feet,Gwine to walk up and down o' dem golden street.Oh, wait till I put on my robe.An' a golden crown-a placed on-a my head,An' my long white robe a-com a dazzlin' down,Now wait till I get on my gospel shoes,Gwine to walk about de heaven an' a-carry de news,Oh, wait till I put on my robe."[96]
"A golden band all 'round my waist,An' de palms of victory in-a my hand,An' de golden slippers on to my feet,Gwine to walk up and down o' dem golden street.Oh, wait till I put on my robe.An' a golden crown-a placed on-a my head,An' my long white robe a-com a dazzlin' down,Now wait till I get on my gospel shoes,Gwine to walk about de heaven an' a-carry de news,Oh, wait till I put on my robe."[96]
"A golden band all 'round my waist,An' de palms of victory in-a my hand,An' de golden slippers on to my feet,Gwine to walk up and down o' dem golden street.Oh, wait till I put on my robe.An' a golden crown-a placed on-a my head,An' my long white robe a-com a dazzlin' down,Now wait till I get on my gospel shoes,Gwine to walk about de heaven an' a-carry de news,Oh, wait till I put on my robe."[96]
"A golden band all 'round my waist,
An' de palms of victory in-a my hand,
An' de golden slippers on to my feet,
Gwine to walk up and down o' dem golden street.
Oh, wait till I put on my robe.
An' a golden crown-a placed on-a my head,
An' my long white robe a-com a dazzlin' down,
Now wait till I get on my gospel shoes,
Gwine to walk about de heaven an' a-carry de news,
Oh, wait till I put on my robe."[96]
"You can hinder me here but you can't hinder me dereFor de Lord in Heaven gwin' hear my prayer.De evening's great but my Cap'n is strong,U'm fightin' fer de city an' de time ain't long."[97]
"You can hinder me here but you can't hinder me dereFor de Lord in Heaven gwin' hear my prayer.De evening's great but my Cap'n is strong,U'm fightin' fer de city an' de time ain't long."[97]
"You can hinder me here but you can't hinder me dereFor de Lord in Heaven gwin' hear my prayer.De evening's great but my Cap'n is strong,U'm fightin' fer de city an' de time ain't long."[97]
"You can hinder me here but you can't hinder me dere
For de Lord in Heaven gwin' hear my prayer.
De evening's great but my Cap'n is strong,
U'm fightin' fer de city an' de time ain't long."[97]
"Well, my mother's goin' to heaven,She's goin' to outshine the sun, O Lord,Well, my mother's goin' to heaven,She's going to outshine the sun, O Lord,Yes, my mother's goin' to heaven to outshine the sun,An' its way beyon' the moon.The crown that my Jesus give me,Goin' outshine the sun,You got a home in the promise lan',Goin' outshine the sun,Goin' to put on my crown in glory,An' outshine the sun, O Lord.'Way beyon' de moon."[98]
"Well, my mother's goin' to heaven,She's goin' to outshine the sun, O Lord,Well, my mother's goin' to heaven,She's going to outshine the sun, O Lord,Yes, my mother's goin' to heaven to outshine the sun,An' its way beyon' the moon.The crown that my Jesus give me,Goin' outshine the sun,You got a home in the promise lan',Goin' outshine the sun,Goin' to put on my crown in glory,An' outshine the sun, O Lord.'Way beyon' de moon."[98]
"Well, my mother's goin' to heaven,She's goin' to outshine the sun, O Lord,Well, my mother's goin' to heaven,She's going to outshine the sun, O Lord,Yes, my mother's goin' to heaven to outshine the sun,An' its way beyon' the moon.The crown that my Jesus give me,Goin' outshine the sun,You got a home in the promise lan',Goin' outshine the sun,Goin' to put on my crown in glory,An' outshine the sun, O Lord.'Way beyon' de moon."[98]
"Well, my mother's goin' to heaven,
She's goin' to outshine the sun, O Lord,
Well, my mother's goin' to heaven,
She's going to outshine the sun, O Lord,
Yes, my mother's goin' to heaven to outshine the sun,
An' its way beyon' the moon.
The crown that my Jesus give me,
Goin' outshine the sun,
You got a home in the promise lan',
Goin' outshine the sun,
Goin' to put on my crown in glory,
An' outshine the sun, O Lord.
'Way beyon' de moon."[98]
"Gwine hab happy meetin',Gwine shout in hebben,Gwine shout an' nebber tire,O slap yo' han's chilluns,I feels de spirit movin',O now I'm gittin' happy."[99]
"Gwine hab happy meetin',Gwine shout in hebben,Gwine shout an' nebber tire,O slap yo' han's chilluns,I feels de spirit movin',O now I'm gittin' happy."[99]
"Gwine hab happy meetin',Gwine shout in hebben,Gwine shout an' nebber tire,O slap yo' han's chilluns,I feels de spirit movin',O now I'm gittin' happy."[99]
"Gwine hab happy meetin',
Gwine shout in hebben,
Gwine shout an' nebber tire,
O slap yo' han's chilluns,
I feels de spirit movin',
O now I'm gittin' happy."[99]
"Gwine to march a-way in de gold band,In de army bye-and-bye;Gwine to march a-way in de gold band,In de army by-and-bye.Sinner, what you gwine to do dat day?Sinner, what you gwine to do dat day?When de fire's a-rolling behind you,In de army bye-and-bye.Sister Mary gwine to hand down the robe,In the army bye-and-bye;Gwine to hand down the robe and the gold band,In the army, bye-and-bye."[100]
"Gwine to march a-way in de gold band,In de army bye-and-bye;Gwine to march a-way in de gold band,In de army by-and-bye.Sinner, what you gwine to do dat day?Sinner, what you gwine to do dat day?When de fire's a-rolling behind you,In de army bye-and-bye.Sister Mary gwine to hand down the robe,In the army bye-and-bye;Gwine to hand down the robe and the gold band,In the army, bye-and-bye."[100]
"Gwine to march a-way in de gold band,In de army bye-and-bye;Gwine to march a-way in de gold band,In de army by-and-bye.Sinner, what you gwine to do dat day?Sinner, what you gwine to do dat day?When de fire's a-rolling behind you,In de army bye-and-bye.Sister Mary gwine to hand down the robe,In the army bye-and-bye;Gwine to hand down the robe and the gold band,In the army, bye-and-bye."[100]
"Gwine to march a-way in de gold band,
In de army bye-and-bye;
Gwine to march a-way in de gold band,
In de army by-and-bye.
Sinner, what you gwine to do dat day?
Sinner, what you gwine to do dat day?
When de fire's a-rolling behind you,
In de army bye-and-bye.
Sister Mary gwine to hand down the robe,
In the army bye-and-bye;
Gwine to hand down the robe and the gold band,
In the army, bye-and-bye."[100]
"You got a robe, I got a robe,All God's children got a robe,Goin' try on my robe an' if it fits me,Goin' to wear it all round God's heaven."[101]
"You got a robe, I got a robe,All God's children got a robe,Goin' try on my robe an' if it fits me,Goin' to wear it all round God's heaven."[101]
"You got a robe, I got a robe,All God's children got a robe,Goin' try on my robe an' if it fits me,Goin' to wear it all round God's heaven."[101]
"You got a robe, I got a robe,
All God's children got a robe,
Goin' try on my robe an' if it fits me,
Goin' to wear it all round God's heaven."[101]
"We'll walk up an' down dem golden streets,We'll walk about Zion.Gwine sit in de kingdom,I really do believe, where sabbath have no end.Look way in de heaven—hope I'll jine de band,—Sittin' in de kingdom.I done been to heaven an' I done been tried.Dere's a long white robe in de heaven for me,Dere's a golden crown, golden harp, starry crown, silver slippers,In de heaven for me I know."[102]
"We'll walk up an' down dem golden streets,We'll walk about Zion.Gwine sit in de kingdom,I really do believe, where sabbath have no end.Look way in de heaven—hope I'll jine de band,—Sittin' in de kingdom.I done been to heaven an' I done been tried.Dere's a long white robe in de heaven for me,Dere's a golden crown, golden harp, starry crown, silver slippers,In de heaven for me I know."[102]
"We'll walk up an' down dem golden streets,We'll walk about Zion.Gwine sit in de kingdom,I really do believe, where sabbath have no end.Look way in de heaven—hope I'll jine de band,—Sittin' in de kingdom.I done been to heaven an' I done been tried.Dere's a long white robe in de heaven for me,Dere's a golden crown, golden harp, starry crown, silver slippers,In de heaven for me I know."[102]
"We'll walk up an' down dem golden streets,
We'll walk about Zion.
Gwine sit in de kingdom,
I really do believe, where sabbath have no end.
Look way in de heaven—hope I'll jine de band,—
Sittin' in de kingdom.
I done been to heaven an' I done been tried.
Dere's a long white robe in de heaven for me,
Dere's a golden crown, golden harp, starry crown, silver slippers,
In de heaven for me I know."[102]
"I want to go to heaven when I die,To shout salvation as I fly.You say yer aiming fer de skies,Why don't yer quit yer tellin' lies.I hope I git dere bye-an' bye,To jine de number in de sky.When I git to heaven gwine to ease, ease,Me an' my God goin' do as we please,Sittin' down side o' de holy Lamb.When I git to heaven goin' set right down,Gwiner ask my Lord fer starry crown.Now wait till I gits my gospel shoes,Gwin-er walk 'bout heaven an' carry de news."[103]
"I want to go to heaven when I die,To shout salvation as I fly.You say yer aiming fer de skies,Why don't yer quit yer tellin' lies.I hope I git dere bye-an' bye,To jine de number in de sky.When I git to heaven gwine to ease, ease,Me an' my God goin' do as we please,Sittin' down side o' de holy Lamb.When I git to heaven goin' set right down,Gwiner ask my Lord fer starry crown.Now wait till I gits my gospel shoes,Gwin-er walk 'bout heaven an' carry de news."[103]
"I want to go to heaven when I die,To shout salvation as I fly.You say yer aiming fer de skies,Why don't yer quit yer tellin' lies.I hope I git dere bye-an' bye,To jine de number in de sky.When I git to heaven gwine to ease, ease,Me an' my God goin' do as we please,Sittin' down side o' de holy Lamb.When I git to heaven goin' set right down,Gwiner ask my Lord fer starry crown.Now wait till I gits my gospel shoes,Gwin-er walk 'bout heaven an' carry de news."[103]
"I want to go to heaven when I die,
To shout salvation as I fly.
You say yer aiming fer de skies,
Why don't yer quit yer tellin' lies.
I hope I git dere bye-an' bye,
To jine de number in de sky.
When I git to heaven gwine to ease, ease,
Me an' my God goin' do as we please,
Sittin' down side o' de holy Lamb.
When I git to heaven goin' set right down,
Gwiner ask my Lord fer starry crown.
Now wait till I gits my gospel shoes,
Gwin-er walk 'bout heaven an' carry de news."[103]
A boy of ten, being sold from his mother, said,
"I'm gwine to sit down at the welcome table,Den my little soul's gwine to shine.I'm gwine to feast off milk and honey,Den my little soul's gwine to shine.I'm gwine to tell God how-a you sarved me,Den my little soul's gwine to shine."[104]
"I'm gwine to sit down at the welcome table,Den my little soul's gwine to shine.I'm gwine to feast off milk and honey,Den my little soul's gwine to shine.I'm gwine to tell God how-a you sarved me,Den my little soul's gwine to shine."[104]
"I'm gwine to sit down at the welcome table,Den my little soul's gwine to shine.I'm gwine to feast off milk and honey,Den my little soul's gwine to shine.I'm gwine to tell God how-a you sarved me,Den my little soul's gwine to shine."[104]
"I'm gwine to sit down at the welcome table,
Den my little soul's gwine to shine.
I'm gwine to feast off milk and honey,
Den my little soul's gwine to shine.
I'm gwine to tell God how-a you sarved me,
Den my little soul's gwine to shine."[104]
The place that heaven must have had in the attitude of the slave we shall now consider, by an examination of the slave's mental world. To do so we must feel the hand of slavery holding him in subjection to the will of the master.The inner voices that called the black slave at his task, clothed in simple garb, and living on homely fare, we also must hear speaking to us, and invoking the same response. Then we shall be able to appreciate the religious significance of the situations.
The bell upon the white pole in the great-house yard summons the slaves to their daily tasks in the fields. Quickly, the slave-mother, rising from the cabin-floor, and taking her babe upon her back, sets out to join the crowd. With brawny arms around his mother's neck, the young child glares at the red rising of the sun, until he is left at the end of the row. Then as mother's hoe cuts grass from the tender corn, he hears her foot-steps blend with those of the plowman, her voice of love mingle with the mumble of slaves, and the songs of birds, that play in the warm sunlight of the morning. With longing eyes the child watches her who, last night, when her work was done, fed him from her breast, as she sat upon the cabin-floor, murmuring of a better world, where child and mother would know no weary sun. Sitting upon the green grass that fringes the end of the long rows, he watches her toiling, disappearing into the distance.
Taken from his mother at the age of seven, the child is transferred to the great-house yard, where the harsh voices of slave-children, conscious of their lot, fill the air. Yesterday he sat in the cabin-door, upon grandmother's knee, listening to the grinding of the big mill down by the pond, and watching the squirrels drop acorns from the old oak tree. Last night he opened the door for father, who, worn from being away so long, brought few potatoes and corn. Then there was a great time. Father, in overalls, grandmother with a "slat-bonnet" upon her gray head, mother with a "grass-sack" around her waist, all knelt upon their knees in prayer to God above, father leading mournfully. "Get up in heaven by-and-by," he said, until all were filled with joy. How different things are today. The old mill by the pond is now seen lifting its white, bird-like wings into heaven, where mother, father and grandmother maybe. They may be up there in the sunlight, singing and shouting with the angels.
The dawn of another day comes in the life of the slave. Now all must help kill the "fatted hogs." The knives have been sharpened, the scaffolds built, the ashes brought up from the ash-heap. The slaves are gathered around the fire, warming themselves and waiting for the water in the big black pots to boil. They hear the shrill voice of the cock and the noise of the mules heralding the coming of day, when the presence of old master will stop their friendly discussions. While fading stars twinkle in the pines that cast ghost-like shadows upon the white-washed cabins, the slaves talk of their religious experiences, how they "overcame the devil in the wilderness" through the help of Christ. The stars were shining thus a year ago, when Aunt Lucinda died. She had been a good woman, never receiving a flogging. She used to make cakes for the neighbors and tell them when to plant their crops. When she died a bright star, like an angel, lit upon the cabin-roof, to take her soul away. This morning she is in heaven, wearing golden slippers, long, white robe, and starry crown, about which she used to sing in the camp-meetings.
The big hogs killed and put into the "smoke-house" and the coming of night ending the slave's work, he is now allowed to attend the camp-meeting, in the log-house, down by the side of the river, that lies behind the big woods. In the leaves of the old red oak, that stands upon the shore and that is said to be the place of ghosts, he hears the noise of the wood owl, calling to him, as he takes his boat and glides silently away amid the solemn shadows that lie upon the deep, moon-lit waters. Unconsciously he sings the words of his comrades as they marched last night to the grave-yard: