THE SYNOPTIC GOSPELS & JOHN, 1
Songs Week of 13 May 2008
BLOW, GABRIEL, BLOW
Slavery formed the background of the Afro-American Spiritual, and the Bible was used as a "liberation" text. Noah's Ark, the Exodus, the Sabbath, Jerusalem (Zion), the Jordan River, and the Chariot were all coded references to escape from slavery, as in this song, which communicates on two levels: the need to be ready for God but also for the underground Freedom Train, which took the slaves North to freedom.Blow Gabriel, train's done gone (x). People keep on coming but the train's done gone! (x). I heard a lot of rumbling in the ground, it must be the devil turning around. I heard a lot of rumbling up in the sky it must be Jehovah passing by! Blow Gabriel, etc. Tell that man he can't hide, if he hasn't got the Holy Ghost he can't ride. For good old Elijah did declare that none but the righteous shall go there. Blow Gabriel, etc.
SIT DOWN
The Afro-American Spiritual sings of an inhuman world of slavery, where the slave hoped for freedom to a better life, and rest. Hence the appeal to biblical ideas such as the Sabbath, with its promise, first of weekly rest, then of Eternal Rest:I'm going up to Heaven and sit down (x) oh sit down (x) child, sit down, rest a little while. I'll see my Lord he'll say sit down (x) oh sit down, sister, sit down, child, sit down, rest a little while. Your back is bent from burdens borne, there are furrows under your brow, oh come my child you're welcome home, your troubles are over now. Oh sit down, sit down, oh sit down sister, sit down oh sit down sit down, child, sit down rest a little while.
IT'S ME LORD
Jesus, unlike the Pharisees, believed that all people were in need of prayer and forgiveness.It's me oh Lord standing in the need of prayer (x), not my mother not my father but it's me oh lord standing in the need of prayer. (X).
TONE DE BELL
Slavery, like Luke, gave social meaning to the "good news":
Tone de bell I just got over (x), just got over at last! I had a hard time, just got over (x), just got over at last. And now I'm so glad just got over (x), just got over at last.Slavery, like Luke, gave social meaning to the "good news":
GONNA LAY DOWN MY LIFE
Jesus' parable of the sheep and goats ( 25) warns that not everyone will be accepted into the kingdom:
Now come the children all dressed in white, must be the children of the Israelites, gonna lay down my life for my Lord. Yon come the children all dressed in black, must be the children that the Lord sent back. For my Lord, for my Lord, gonna lay down my life for my Lord.Jesus' parable of the sheep and goats ( 25) warns that not everyone will be accepted into the kingdom:
GOING DOWN TO THE RIVER
This Spiritual understands Paul's reading of Baptism as a dying and rebirth to Christ. Baptism, like prayer, is a symbolic death into the underworld (kneeling down=going down; going under (the water)=going down), followed by Resurrection, or rebirth. This surrender of the Ego is one (psychological) understanding of what Jesus meant when he said those who lose their life will gain it:I'm going down to the river, yes I'm going down to the river, I'm going to pray down by the river (x). Bury my body under the wave, just like they'll bury me in the grave. Then I'll rise up the water with the spirit in my soul.
I AIN'T GONNA GRIEVE
This Spiritual preaches the Torah (Law) and the Golden Rule; like Joshua, who "never stopped his work until his work was done."Oh see that sun, she how she runs, don't you ever let her catch you with your work undone (x) O see that sun, etc. Ain't gonna grieve my Lord no more. If you want to go to Heaven like anybody else, just treat your neighbor like yourself (x).
DE BLIND MAN STOOD ON THE ROAD AND CRIED
Then they came to Jericho. A blind man, Bartimaeus was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more. "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
MARK 10:46-52
The point of the Gospel text and song (Spiritual) is faith (the man "cried" for God).
Oh, the blind mind stood on the road and cried, crying oh oh my Lord, oh the blind man stood on the road and cried. Crying what kind of shoes am those you wear (x)? Crying oh, my Lord, save me, oh the blind man stood on the road and cried.Then they came to Jericho. A blind man, Bartimaeus was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" Many told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more. "Son of David, have mercy on me!" Jesus stopped and said, "Call him." So they called to the blind man, "Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you." Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see." "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
MARK 10:46-52
The point of the Gospel text and song (Spiritual) is faith (the man "cried" for God).
PLENTY GOOD ROOM
"In my Father's house are many rooms. . . . I am going there to prepare a place for you." JOHN 14:2
Plenty good room, good room in my Father's kingdom, choose your seat and sit down. (x) I would not be a sinner I'll tell you the reason why, 'cause if my Lord should call on me I wouldn't be ready to die. (X)"In my Father's house are many rooms. . . . I am going there to prepare a place for you." JOHN 14:2
THE PRODIGAL SON
I believe, yes I believe that I will go back home (x) and be a servant of the Lord. Oh a prodigal son was a forward child, his mind was not to obey but after he left his father's house he thought that he had gone astray. I believe that I will go back home (x) and be a servant of the Lord. Now when his father saw him coming, he met him with a smile, he threw his arms around him, Lord, Lord. I believe that I will go back home (x).PRODIGAL SON
The Rolling Stones based their version of this song, from Luke, on an older Blues version by Robert Wilkins:Well a poor boy took his father's bread and started down the road Started down the road Took all he had and started down the road Going out in this world, where God only knows And that'll be the way to get along Well poor boy spent all he had, famine come in the land Famine come in the land Spent all he had and famine come in the land Said, "I believe I'll go and hire me to some man" And that'll be the way I'll get along Well, man said, "I'll give you a job for to feed my swine For to feed my swine I'll give you a job for to feed my swine" Boy stood there and hung his head and cried `Cause that is no way to get along Said, "I believe I'll ride, believe I'll go back home Believe I'll go back home Believe I'll ride, believe I'll go back home Or down the road as far as I can go" And that'll be the way to get along Well, father said, "See my son coming home to me Coming home to me" Father ran and fell down on his knees Said, "Sing and praise, Lord have mercy on me" Mercy Oh poor boy stood there, hung his head and cried Hung his head and cried Poor boy stood and hung his head and cried Said, "Father will you look on me as a child?" Yeah Well father said, "Eldest son, kill the fatted calf, Call the family round Kill that calf and call the family round My son was lost but now he is found 'Cause that's the way for us to get along."
THE BLACK DIAMOND EXPRESS TO HELL
A "fire and brimstone" sermon, such as frightened the faithful for centuries. Such sermons were also a good source of revenue for the churches. Whether Jesus' comments on hell are authentic or intended literally, is disputed.
I TAKE MY TEXT this morning from Matthew 7, chapter and 13th verse. "Enter ye in at the straight gate for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there be that go in thereat." (Amen.)A "fire and brimstone" sermon, such as frightened the faithful for centuries. Such sermons were also a good source of revenue for the churches. Whether Jesus' comments on hell are authentic or intended literally, is disputed.
This train is known as the Black Diamond Express train to Hell. Sin is the engineer, pleasure is the headlight, and the devil is the conductor.
I see the Black Diamond as she starts off for Hell. The bell is ringing, Hellbound, Hellbound. The Devil cries out, "All aboard for Hell!"
First station is Drunkardville. Stop there and all the drunkards get on board. I have a big crowd down there drinking some steady, some drinking shinney, some drinking moonshine. Some drinking white mule and Red Horse. All you drunkards, you got to go to Hell on the Black Diamond train. The Black Diamond starts off for Hell now.
Next station is Liar's Avenue. Wait there and let all the liars get on board. I have a big crowd of liars down there. I have some smooth liars, some unreasonable liars. some professional liars, some barefaced liars, some ungodly liars, some big liars, some little liars, some go to bed lying, get up lying. Lie all day, lie on you and lie on me. A big crowd of liars. You got to go to Hell on the Black Diamond train.
Next station is Deceiversville. Wait there and all deceivers get on board. Some of you have been deceiving one another ever since you been in the world. friends deceiving friends, husbands deceiving wives, wives deceiving husbands. But they got to go to Hell on the Black Diamond train.
Next station is Conjuration Station. Wait there and let all the conjurers get on board. I have a big crowd of conjurers down there. They got to go to Hell on the Black Diamond train. They're always taking, making little hand signals to one another, but to you got to Hell on the Black Diamond train.
Next station is Confusion Junction. Wait there and all the confusion makers get on, some of you raise confusion in your homes, confusion in the seats, confusion everywhere you go, but you got to Hell on the Black Diamond train.
Next station is Fight Town. Wait there and let all the church fighters get on board. I have a big crowd of church fighters down there. They never go to the prayer meetings, they never go to the Sunday School, they never go to the morning service. . . . But all you church fighters, you got to go to Hell on the Black Diamond train.
And now the Black Diamond will stop just a minute to pick up some brimstone for Hell. Black Diamond is taking on a fresh supply of brimstone and now she's ready to pull out for Hell. Sin is the engineer, pleasure is the headlight, and the Devil is the conductor.
Next station is Dancing Hall Depot. Wait there. I have a large crowd of church members that get on down there. Some of you think you can sing in the choir on Sunday and Charleston on the ballroom till Monday but you got to go to Hell on the Black Diamond train. The Black Diamond pulled off now for Hell.
Next station is Gambler's Tower. Wait there and let all the gamblers get on board. I have a big crowd of gamblers and crapshooters and card players and bootleggers got to ride the Black Diamond train to Hell. They all get on the Black Diamond train, she starts out for Hell now, she's almost in Hell.
Next station is Stealing Town. Wait there and let all the church thieves get on board. I have a big crowd of members in the church always been stealing ever since they've been in the church. Some always begging money for the church and never turn it in. Always giving church suppers and then steal half the money. All you church thieves you got to go to Hell on the Black Diamond train.
Next station is Plotters Vale. Stop there and all the church plotters get on. Always plotting against the church, always plotting against the preachers, always plotting against the deacon, plotting against the church program. Always hid against closed doors, plotting against me. All you church plotters you got to go to Hell on the Black Diamond train.
Next station is . . . I've got a big crowd all the way down at the park parking all the time. They never can come to church on Sunday, always parking all the time.
And now the Devil says to the engineer and make a fast run for Hell.
Oh, gambler, get on the Black Diamond train. Oh, midnight rambler, get on the Black Diamond train. Oh back slider get on the Black Diamond train.
Children aren't you glad you got off the Black Diamond train a long time ago. I'm so glad I got off a long time ago. All my sins been taken away. Well all my sins been taken away (x). well glory Hallelujah all my sins been taken away.
Children aren't you glad you got off a long time ago? (Amen). I'm glad I got off a long time ago. Amen.
LITTLE BOY
Luke has the only story of Jesus as a young adult in the canonic Gospels (2:46-47).
Little boy how old are you? (x) I'm only 12 years old. This little boy has but to remember that he was born the 25th of December. Lawyers and doctors were all amazed and had to give the little boy praise. Little boy, etc. Lawyers and doctors stood and wondered as though they had been struck by thunder and they decided while they wondered that all mankind must come under. Little boy, etc.Luke has the only story of Jesus as a young adult in the canonic Gospels (2:46-47).
AMEN
A famous Spiritual based on Luke's Temple story.
Amen (x). See the little baby wrapped in a manger on Christmas Morning. Singing in the Temple, talking with the elders, tomorrow there's wisdom. Down in the Jordan, John was baptizing and saving all sinners. See him at the seaside, talking with the fishermen and making disciples. Amen. A famous Spiritual based on Luke's Temple story.
TAKE YOUR BURDENS TO THE LORD
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. "
Matthew 11:28
Leave it there, oh leave it there, take your burdens to the Lord and leave it there, if you will trust him and never doubt, he will surely bring you out, take your burden to the Lord and leave it there. Now if the world from you withhold all its silver and its gold, and you hardly get along with mere despair, just remember in God's word, how he fed those little birds, take your burden to the Lord and leave it there. Now if you body suffers pain and your health you can't regain, and your soul is almost sinking in despair, Jesus knew the pain you feel, he can save and he can heal, take your burdens to the Lord and leave it there. Oh leave it there, etc."Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. "
Matthew 11:28
GOING TO HEAVEN IN A SANCTIFIED WAY
Get your ticket to the land of Beulah, baggage coach will be left behind. Now is the time to get rid of your luggage, they have no baggage on the Heavenly Line. Every way that do beset us, every trial on my way, don't have to let what the world say break me I'm going on to Heaven in a sanctified way.NEWBORN AGAIN
"I tell you the truth, no-one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." JOHN 3:3
Old Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob come jumping on the wings of time, they were bringing the Hebrew children and old Daniel from the den of lions. Well they marched on down to Gideon and every town to testify, well they were born by the Holy Ghost and the Spirit from on high, just singing, I'm newborn again (x), I'm so free and holy, I'm newborn again."I tell you the truth, no-one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." JOHN 3:3
PETER DON'T BE AFRAID
JOHN 18:15-26
Jesus said, Oh Peter, Peter don't be afraid (x). Walk on the water, Peter, walk on the water, Peter don't be afraid. One more thing Jesus: Jesus said, I am Mary's baby, don't be afraid. Jesus said, Peter you denied me, but don't be afraid. Walk on, yeah, walk by faith.JOHN 18:15-26
SOMETIMES ALLELUIA
Alleluia is Greek for Hallelujah, which is Hebrew for Praise the Lord.
Sometimes Alleluia, sometimes praise the Lord, sometimes gently singing, our hearts in one accord.Alleluia is Greek for Hallelujah, which is Hebrew for Praise the Lord.
I'VE JUST COME FROM THE FOUNTAIN
JOHN 4:1-15
I've just come from the fountain (x) his name so sweet. Been drinking from the fountain (x), his name so sweet.JOHN 4:1-15
CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN
Charles Wesley's Easter hymn.
Christ the Lord is risen today, Hallelujah, sons of men and angels say Hallelujah. Raise your joys and triumphs high. Hallelujah. Sing ye Heavens and earth reply, Hallelujah!Charles Wesley's Easter hymn.
FORTY DAYS AND FORTY NIGHTS
Forty days and forty nights Thou wast fasting in the wild; Forty days and forty nights Tempted, and yet undefiled. Shall not we Thy sorrow share And from earthly joys abstain, Fasting with unceasing prayer,Yet with Thee to suffer pain?O SACRED HEAD
Bach used this tune by Hans Hassler about a half dozen times in his St. Matthew Passion, and also in his St. John Passion. He must have liked it. Paul Simon must have liked it too, since he used it for his song, "American Tune" (below).
O sacred head now wounded, with grief and shame weighed down, now scornfully surrounded with thorns thy only crown.Bach used this tune by Hans Hassler about a half dozen times in his St. Matthew Passion, and also in his St. John Passion. He must have liked it. Paul Simon must have liked it too, since he used it for his song, "American Tune" (below).
AMERICAN TUNE
Many is the time I've been mistaken and many times confused. Yes and I've often felt forsaken and certainly misused, oh but I'm all right, I'm all right, just weary to my bones. Still you don't expect to be bright and bon vivant so far away from home, so far away from home.ROUND ABOUT DE MOUNTAIN
Jesus sat with sinners, since, like the sick, they needed a physician.
Round about the mountain (x) my God's a-ruling and she'll rise in his arms. Round about the mountain there I'll take my stand, I heard the voice of Jesus, thank God He's in this land! The Lord loves a sinner, the Lord loves a sinner man, and she'll rise.Jesus sat with sinners, since, like the sick, they needed a physician.
STAND BY ME
The stormy sea, which Jesus calmed, becomes a metaphor for our stormy lives.
When the storms of life are raging, stand by me (stand by me) (x). When the world is tossing me like a ship out on the sea, Thou who rulest wind and water, stand by me.The stormy sea, which Jesus calmed, becomes a metaphor for our stormy lives.
YOU BETTER RUN
Jesus is the fulfillment of the type of the Cities of Refuge in the Jewish Torah. Nicodemus is in the Gospel of John 3:1ff.
You better run (x) to the city of Refuge, you better run. There was a ma of the Pharisees, Old Nicodemus, the ruler of the Jews. Nicodemus, the came to Jesus and came by night. He said, he said, "I want to be born into Thy heavenly sight." Christ spoke to Nicodemus as a friend, He said, "You want to get to Heaven, you must be born again." Well, old Nicodemus didn't understand how a man could be born when he was so old. Jesus is the fulfillment of the type of the Cities of Refuge in the Jewish Torah. Nicodemus is in the Gospel of John 3:1ff.
I HEARD THE VOICE
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. "
Matthew 11:28
I heard the voice of Jesus say, Come unto Me and rest. Lay down, thou weary one, lay down thy head upon my breast." Lay down, thou weary one, lay down thy head upon my breast.""Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. "
Matthew 11:28
REVIVE US AGAIN
The promise of the Resurrection was the heart of the Gospel message (the "kerygma," or preaching): "And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty." 1 Corinthians 15:14.
We praise thee oh God for the son of Thy love, For the Jesus who died and who is now gone above. Hallelujah, thine the glory, Hallelujah Amen, Hallelujah thine the glory, revive us again. All glory and praise to the Lamb that was slain and every stain, Hallelujah thine the glory, Hallelujah Amen, Hallelujah thine the glory revive us again. The promise of the Resurrection was the heart of the Gospel message (the "kerygma," or preaching): "And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty." 1 Corinthians 15:14.
CERTAINLY LORD
"Certainly" is an English equivalent of "Amen."
When your burden begins to press you down, you can always lean back and say,You're my Lily of the valley, water when I was thirsty, and bread when I was hungry. And if anybody ask you all you got to say is I know my name is on high, children, I know my name is on high right now (x). Why don't you tell everybody (x) you can just tell them, ah, certainly certainly certainly Lord. When the world may seem to be against you and your friends may be talking about you on every side and try to scandalize your name, you can always say, Lord, make my enemies leave me alone. If you make my enemies leave me alone, I can always tell my enemies, Lord I've been baptized. Certainly! Let me tell them, certainly, certainly, Lord."Certainly" is an English equivalent of "Amen."
I FIND NO FAULT IN HIM
According to the contemporary French philosopher, Rene Girard, the Bible, for the first time in history, tells stories of people who are scapegoats (victims), though innocent. This can be traced in the Bible from the stories of Abel (slain by Cain), to Joseph (victimized by his brothers), to King David (whose psalms protest his innocence before his fellow man, though his guilt before God), to Jesus, innocent from birth to death, yet made a victim for the faults ("sins") of others. Girard carefully argues, across many books, how these biblical stories, especially that of Jesus (completely innocent and completely victimized) attempts to end this victim (scapegoat) cycle by exposing it for what it is: an attempt to establish harmony in society by destroying innocent people and projecting social problems on them, as in this song.
Then Pilate therefore took Jesus and scourged him. And the soldiers took a crown of thorns and put it on his head. And they put on him a purple robe. They came up to him saying, Hail King of the Jews. Then they smote him with their hands. Pilate therefore went forth again and said to them, "Behold I bring him forth to you that you may know that I find no fault in him." They led Christ to Calvary, and he spoke not one word. Just the cries of loud sinners were all my Savior heard. Then they pierced him so deeply in his side until the blood came streaming down. And that's how Jesus purchased my salvation and I find no fault in him. Then Jesus came forth wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said unto them, Behold the man. When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out saying, Crucify him! Crucify him! Pilate said unto him, "Take him and crucify him for I find no fault in him." Then they pierced him so deeply in his side until the blood came streaming down. And that's how Jesus purchased my salvation and I find no fault in him.According to the contemporary French philosopher, Rene Girard, the Bible, for the first time in history, tells stories of people who are scapegoats (victims), though innocent. This can be traced in the Bible from the stories of Abel (slain by Cain), to Joseph (victimized by his brothers), to King David (whose psalms protest his innocence before his fellow man, though his guilt before God), to Jesus, innocent from birth to death, yet made a victim for the faults ("sins") of others. Girard carefully argues, across many books, how these biblical stories, especially that of Jesus (completely innocent and completely victimized) attempts to end this victim (scapegoat) cycle by exposing it for what it is: an attempt to establish harmony in society by destroying innocent people and projecting social problems on them, as in this song.
THE JERICHO ROAD
(The Good Samaritan)
I REMEMBER WHEN Mrs King and I were first in Jerusalem. We rented a car and drove from Jerusalem down to Jericho. As soon as we got on that road, I said to my wife, 'I can see why Jesus used this as a setting for his parable.' It's a winding, meandering road. It's really conducive for ambushing. You start out in Jerusalem, which is about 1200 miles, or rather 1200 feet above sea level. And by the time you get down to Jericho, fifteen or twenty minutes later, you're about 2200 feet below sea level. That's a dangerous road. In the days of Jesus it came to be known as the 'Bloody Pass'. And you know, it's possible that the priest and the Levite looked over that man on the ground and wondered if the robbers were still around. Or it's possible that they felt that the man on the ground was merely faking. And he was acting like he had been robbed and hurt, in order to seize them over there, lure them there for quick and easy seizure. And so the first question that the Levite asked was, 'If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?' But then the Good Samaritan came by. And he reversed the question: 'If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?' That's the question before you tonight. Not, 'If I stop to help the sanitation workers, what will happen to all of the hours that I usually spend in my office every day and every week as a pastor?' The question is not, 'If I stop to help this man in need, what will happen to me?.' 'If I do not stop to help the sanitation workers, what will happen to them? That's the question.(The Good Samaritan)
LAZARUS
This is part of a jazz Mass by Mary Lou Williams.
There was a selfish rich man who clothed himself in purple and fine linen. There also was a beggar man named Lazarus who laid at the gate of the rich man's door, full of sores and hungry, begging crumbs from the rich man's table. Even his dogs came to lick his sores. The rich man showed no pity to Lazarus' plea and scorn was Lazarus' lot. So God took pity on poor Lazarus and gave him peace. He sent his angels to carry poor Lazarus into the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried; and as he burned in Hell, he saw the beggar man Lazarus safe in the bosom of Abraham and he cried, "Father, Father, send Lazarus to cool my parched tongue, cause I didn't mean all the misery I've caused and all the bad things I have done. Have mercy on me Father, send Lazarus to cool my tongue, cause I didn't mean all the misery I've caused and all the bad things I have done." But the Lord said, "Son in your time you received all the good things in life. but poor Lazarus, beggar, received nothing but pain and strife, poor Lazarus is comforted and you are burning in the halls of flame and there's no way for you to cleanse your deeds for God never knew your name." This is part of a jazz Mass by Mary Lou Williams.
"Lazarus, Lazarus, Lazarus, cool my parched tongue cause I didn't mean all the misery I've caused and all the bad things I have done. Father, Father, Father, send Lazarus to my house that he may warn them about the flame and what it's all about."
Then Abraham said, "They have Moses, let them hear his cry. For if they don't repent their evil ways they will surely die." "Lazarus, Lazarus, Lazarus, cool my parched tongue cause I didn't mean all the misery I've caused and all the bad things I have done."
THE BALLAD OF DIVES AND LAZARUS
A famous song from the Child collection of British folk songs (to hear, click here). English composer, Ralph Vaughan-Williams wrote lush variations on the ballad (click on image below, left; for another performance, go here). The story (parable) appears only in Luke (16:19ff.). The name Dives (meaning "rich" in Latin) was added to the story later (it does not appear in the Bible).Rich Dives sickened and died; Then came two serpents out of hell, His soul therein to guide. ‘Rise up, rise up, brother Dives, And come with us to see A dismal place, prepared in Hell, From which thou canst not flee.’ Then Dives lifted up his eyes, And he saw poor Lazarus blest: ‘Give me one drop of water, brother Lazarus, For to quench my flaming thirst.
‘If I had as many years to abide As there are blades of grass, Then there would be an end, but now Hell’s pains will ne’er be past. ‘Oh was I now but alive again, The space of one half hour! Oh that I had my peace secure! And the devil should have no power.’ Oh Hell is dark, oh Hell is deep, oh Hell is full of mice 'tis a pity that a sinful soul should be part from our Savior Christ and now my carol is ended, no longer can I stay here, God bless you all, both brave and small and God send you a happy year.
I'VE GOT A HOME IN THAT ROCK
An Afro-American Spiritual on the same parable in LUKE.
Rich man Dives lived so well, don't you see. (X) Rich man Dives lived so well, when he died he had a home in Hell. He had no home in that Rock, don't you see? An Afro-American Spiritual on the same parable in LUKE.
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