Audio
Gullah Geechee Recording (FOFR 27000_001_006_6_1_01)
Transcript
FOFR 27000_001_006_6_1_01
Total Time: 31:42
0:00-1:06 Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray
Couldn’t hear nobody pray.
Couldn’t hear nobody pray.
Way down yonder by myself,
I couldn’t hear nobody pray.
In the Jordon,
I couldn’t hear nobody pray.
Crossing over.
I couldn’t hear nobody pray.
Trouble over.
I couldn’t hear nobody pray.
Oh, Lord.
I couldn’t hear nobody pray.
Oh, Lord.
Couldn’t hear nobody pray.
Way down yonder by myself,
I couldn’t hear nobody pray.
1:06-2:26 Prayer
(Soft humming and occasional singing during prayer)
Father in Heaven, we come tonight (unknown words) to bow our heads and our thoughts, thanking and praising thee. We pray Lord for (unknown words) God in Heaven, have mercy on us. Have mercy. (Unknown words) My father. (unknown words) Guide us My Father (unknown words) We pray for Jesus’ sake. (unknown words) We call on thee my Father, (unknown words) God is strong. (unknown words) Oh, the time shall be no more. Have mercy on us. Have mercy. We pray for Jesus’ sake. (Unknown words) and my king, we pray Lord, you’ll rest upon (Unknown words) My father the time shall be no more. Have mercy. We pray for Jesus’ sake. (Unknown words) and my king, (Unknown words) We pray the lord will save us. Gives us a place of rest. (Unknown words) Cease will trouble us. (Unknown words) My soul be at rest. (Unknown words) We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
2:26-3:56 My Soul Be at Rest
(Lydia speaking) My soul be at rest. Joe, sing that.
One of these mornings, bright and soon,
My soul be at rest.
One of these mornings, bright and clear,
My soul be at rest.
I’ll be at rest, I’ll be at rest,
My soul be at rest.
I’ll be at rest at judgement day.
My soul be at rest.
One of these mornings, it won’t be long.
My soul be at rest.
Hitch on my wings, I’m going try the air
My soul be at rest.
Oh, I’ll be at rest, I’ll be at rest.
My soul be at rest.
I’ll be at rest at judgement day.
My soul be at rest.
Oh, tell my mother it won’t be long,
My soul be at rest.
Tell my mother it won’t be long,
My soul be at rest.
Oh, one of these mornings, bright and clear,
My soul be at rest.
Gonna hitch on my wings, I’m going try the air.
My soul be at rest.
3:56-5:40 Oh, When I Come To Die
(Indistinct talking)
Oh when,
Oh when,
Oh when,
Oh when,
Oh when I come to die
Give me Jesus.
Oh when,
Oh when,
Oh when,
Oh when,
Oh when I come to die
Give me Jesus.
When I am dying,
When I am dying,
When I am dying,
My Lord, give me Jesus.
When the doctor give me over
When the doctor give me over,
When the doctor give me over,
My Lord, give me Jesus.
Oh when,
Oh when,
Oh when,
Oh when,
Oh, when I come to die,
Give me Jesus.
When I’m crossing Jordan,
When I’m crossing Jordan,
When I’m crossing Jordan,
My Lord, give me Jesus.
5:40-8:59 Sit Down, Servant, Rest A Little While
(Woman talking) You joining in when, ah, when she gets through singing two or three verses, then you could come on. That’s Charlotte’s mother’s dog.
Oh, sit down, servant,
Sit down,
Sit down rest a little while.
Oh, sit down, servant,
Sit down,
Sit down, rest a little while.
I know you’re tired,
Sit down, sit down rest a little while.
I know you’re tired.
Sit down,
Sit down rest a little while
Oh, you come from a long way,
Sit down, sit down rest a little while.
Oh, you come from a long way.
Sit down,
Sit down rest a little while.
Tell me who you’re looking for,
Sit down, sit down rest a little while.
Oh, tell me who you’re looking for,
Sit down,
Sit down rest a little while.
I’m looking for my mother.
Sit down, sit down rest a little while.
I’m looking for my mother.
Sit down,
Sit down rest a little while.
(Singing stops)
7:23-
(Woman speaking) Charlotte can you…
Looking for my father,
Sit down,
Sit down rest a little while.
Looking for my father,
Sit down,
Sit down rest a little while.
Sit down servant,
Sit down, sit down rest a little while.
Sit down, servant,
Sit down,
Sit down rest a little while.
(Singing stops)
Lydia Speaking: Then Davis, I want you could sing over (Unknown) the two of that, couldn’t you?
Davis: Yes, ma’am.
Lydia speaking: Go on.
Well, tell me who you’re looking for,
Sit down,
Sit down rest a little while.
Looking for my father,
Sit down,
Sit down rest a little while.
Well, sit down servant,
Sit down, sit down rest a little while.
Sit down, servant, sit down,
Sit down rest a little while.
When I get to heaven gonna,
Sit down, sit down rest a little while.
Tell me who you’re looking for,
Sit down,
Sit down rest a little while.
(Singing stops)
(Lydia speaking) Good, I didn’t know (clears throat) now.
8:59-10:37 I Want To Die Easy
I want to die easy, Lord,
When I die,
When I die.
I want to die easy,
When I die,
When I die.
I want to die easy,
When I die,
Shout salvation as I fly.
I want to die easy,
When I die.
I want to see my mother,
When I die,
When I die.
I want to see my mother,
When I die,
When I die.
I want to see my mother,
When I die,
Shout salvation as I fly.
I want to see my mother,
When I die.
Lord, I want to die easy,
When I die,
When I die.
I want to die easy,
When I die,
When I die.
I want to die easy,
When I die,
Shout salvation as I fly.
I want to die easy,
When I die.
(Recording ends abruptly)
10:37-12:38 Over Yonder/On The Other Shore
(Recording begins abruptly)
and Martha,
Over yonder.
Mary and Martha,
Over yonder.
Mary and Martha,
Over yonder,
On the other shore.
Paul and Silas,
Over yonder.
Paul and Silas,
Over yonder.
Paul and Silas,
Over yonder,
On the other shore.
Run, sinner, run,
Trouble behind you.
Run, sinner, run,
Trouble behind you.
Run, sinner, run,
Trouble behind you,
On the other shore.
I’ve got a mother,
Over yonder.
I’ve got a mother,
Over yonder.
I’ve got a mother,
Over yonder,
On the other shore.
By and by,
I’ll go to see her.
By and by,
I’ll go to see her.
By and by,
I’ll go to see her.
On the other shore.
12:38-14:55 Wade In The Water
Lydia speaking: When, uh, just the two verses.
Wade in the water,
Wade in the water,
Wade in the water,
God’s gonna trouble the water.
Wade in the water,
Wade in the water,
Wade in the water,
God’s gonna trouble the water.
If you don’t believe I been redeemed,
God’s gonna trouble the water.
Just follow me down to the Jordon stream,
God’s gonna trouble the water.
Wade in the water,
Wade in the water,
Wade in the water,
God’s gonna trouble the water.
Wade in the water,
Wade in the water,
Wade in the water,
God’s gonna trouble the water.
You best mind my brother how you walk on the cross,
God’s gonna trouble the water.
Your feet may slip and your soul gets lost,
God’s gonna trouble the water.
Wade in the water,
Wade in the water,
Wade in the water,
God’s gonna trouble the water.
(Recording ends abruptly)
14:55-16:25 Sign Of The Judgement
Goodbye mother,
Hmm.
I’m going away to leave you,
Hmm.
Can’t go with me,
Hail O, the time is drawing nigh.
Goodbye father,
Hmm.
Going away to leave you,
Hmm.
Well, you can’t go with me.
Hail O, the time is drawing nigh.
Well, you read in Matthew,
Hmm.
In the 25th chapter.
Hmm.
(Unknown lyric) tell you about the judgement.
Hail O, the time is drawing nigh.
Goodbye Sister,
Hmm.
I’m going away to leave you,
Hmm.
Can’t go with me.
Hail O, the time is drawing nigh.
See the sign in the fig tree,
Hmm.
It’s the sign of the judgment,
Hmm.
(Unknown lyric) of the judgement.
Hail O, the time is drawing nigh.
16:25-20:10 Do Lord, Remember Me
Lydia speaking: Do Lord, remember me. Way over in Beulah land, do Lord, remember me.
Do Lord, remember me,
Do Lord, remember me,
Way over in Beulah land,
Do Lord, remember me.
Keep your living by the things that money could buy,
Living by the things that money could buy,
Living by the things that money could buy,
Do Lord, remember me.
Oh, the rich were living, and the poor were dying,
rich were living and the poor were dying,
rich were living and the poor were dying,
Do Lord, remember me.
Do Lord, remember me,
Do Lord, remember me,
Way over in Beulah land,
Do Lord, remember me.
If had to die when I was young,
If had to die when I was young,
If had to die when I was young,
Do Lord, remember me.
Lord, I would not have a place to run,
I would not have a place to run,
I would not have a place to run,
Do Lord, remember me.
I look at my hand and my look used,
I look at my hand and my look used,
I look at my hand and my look used,
Do Lord, remember me.
I went to my Lord and my soul (Unknown lyric)
I went to my Lord and my soul (Unknown lyric)
I went to my Lord and my soul (Unknown lyric)
Do Lord, remember me.
(Recording skips)
Up on the wall and I can’t come down,
Up on the wall and I can’t come down,
Up on the wall and I can’t come down,
Do Lord remember me.
I’m doing good work and I can’t come down,
I’m doing good work and I can’t come down,
I’m doing good work and I can’t come down,
Do Lord remember me.
Do Lord, remember me,
Do Lord, remember me,
Way over in Beulah land,
Do Lord, remember me.
Well, my times come and I can’t complain,
My times come and I can’t complain,
My times come and I can’t complain,
Do Lord, remember me.
Well, the angels in the heaven done changed my name,
The angels in the heaven done changed my name,
The angels in the heaven done changed my name,
Do Lord, remember me.
20:10-22:04 The Old Ark’s A-Moverin’
Old ark she reel, the old ark she rock,
The old ark’s a moving on the mountain top.
The old ark’s a moverin’, moverin’, moverin’,
The old ark’s a moverin’ and I’m goin’ home.
The old ark she reel, the old ark she rock,
The old ark’s a moving on the mountain top.
The old ark’s a moverin’, moverin’, moverin’,
The old ark’s a moverin’ and I’m goin’ home.
See them sisters dressed so fine?
They ain’t got Jesus on their mind.
The old ark’s a moverin’, moverin’, moverin’,
The old ark’s a moverin’ and I’m goin’ home.
The old ark she reel, the old ark she rock,
The old ark’s a moving on the mountain top.
The old ark’s a moverin’, moverin’, moverin’,
The old ark’s a moverin’ and I’m goin’ home.
Mind my brother how you walk on the cross,
Your feet may slip and your soul get lost.
The old ark’s a moverin’, moverin’, moverin’,
The old ark’s moverin’ and I’m goin’ home.
The old ark she reel, the old ark she rock,
The old ark’s a moving on the mountain top.
The old ark’s a moverin’, moverin’, moverin’,
The old ark’s a moverin’ and I’m goin’ home.
22:04-24:02 Read Em’ John
John wrote a letter,
And laid it on the table.
No one can read em’ like old John,
Read em’ let us go.
Oh, John wrote a letter,
And laid it on the table.
No one can read em’ like old John,
Read em’ let us go.
Oh, read em’ John, (Tapping rhythm begins)
Read em’,
Read em’ John,
Read em’,
Read em’ John,
Read em’,
Read em’ let us go.
Oh, read em’ John ,
Read em’,
Read em’ John,
Read em’,
Read em’ John,
Read em’,
Read em’ let us go.
One by one,
Two by two,
Three by three,
And four by four.
None can read em’ like old John,
Read em’ let us go.
Oh, read em’ John ,
Read em’,
Read em’ John,
Read em’,
Read em’ John,
Read em’,
Read em’ let us go.
Oh, read em’ John ,
Read em’,
Read em’ John,
Read em’,
Read em’ John,
Read em’,
Read em’ let us go.
Oh, John wrote a letter,
And laid it on the table.
No one can read em’ like old John,
Read em’ let us go.
Oh, read em’ John ,
Read em’,
Read em’ John,
Read em’,
Read em’ John,
Read em’,
Read em’ let us go.
Oh, read em’ John ,
Read em’,
Read em’ John,
Read em’,
Read em’ John,
Read em’,
Read em’ let us go.
Oh, (recording skips) John ,
Read em’,
Read em’ John,
Read em’,
Read em’ John,
Read em’,
Read em’ let us go.
(Recording ends abruptly)
24:02- 25:15 Knee-Bone
(Recording begins abruptly)
Song accompanied by distinct three tapping rhythm.
Call you,
Oh, knee-bone.
Knee-bone when I call you,
Oh Lord, knee-bone bend.
(Unknown lyric)
Oh, knee-bone.
Bend my knee-bone to the ground,
Oh Lord, knee-bone bend.
Knee-bone Zachariah,
Oh, knee-bone.
Knee-bone Zachariah,
Oh Lord, knee-bone bend.
Knee-bone when I call you,
Oh, knee-bone.
(Unknown lyric) call you,
Oh Lord, knee-bone bend.
Going away tomorrow,
Oh, knee-bone.
(Unknown lyric)
Oh Lord, knee-bone bend.
Knee-bone Zachariah,
Oh, knee-bone.
Knee-bone Zachariah,
Oh Lord, knee-bone bend.
Knee-bone when I call you,
Oh, knee-bone.
Knee-bone when I call you,
Oh Lord, knee-bone bend.
Gonna leave tomorrow,
Oh, knee-bone.
(Unknown lyric)
Oh Lord, knee-bone bend.
Knee-bone Zachariah,
Oh, knee-bone.
Knee-bone Zachariah,
Oh Lord, knee-bone bend.
Transcriber’s note: Please see the notes on reel FOFR 27000_001_006_5_01.
25:15-26:04 Eli I Can’t Stand
(Recording begins abruptly)
Song accompanied by distinct three tapping rhythm.
out Satan’s wall,
Eli I can’t stand.
Satan’s wall come tumbling down,
Eli I can’t stand.
One of these days I’m going away,
Eli I can’t stand.
Won’t be back till Judgement day,
Eli I can’t stand.
(Unknown lyric)
Eli I can’t stand.
(Unknown lyric)
Eli I can’t stand.
(Unknown lyric)
Eli I can’t stand.
(Unknown lyric) die,
Eli I can’t stand.
(Unknown lyric)
Eli I can’t stand.
(Unknown lyric)
Eli I can’t stand.
Take one brick out Satan’s wall,
Eli I can’t stand.
Satan’s wall come tumbling down,
Eli I can’t stand.
26:04-28:26 Unknown Title, Don’t Let the Wind Blow Here No More
Rhythmic clapping and tapping accompanies song
Oh, the wind,
Don’t let the wind blow here no more.
Hmm-hmm,
Hmm-my Lord.
Oh, the wind,
Oh, the wind,
Don’t let the wind blow here no more.
Hmm-hmm,
Hmm-my Lord.
Think I heard my captain say,
I’ll go down and saw the wood.
Hmm-hmm,
Hmm-my Lord.
Oh, the wind,
Oh, the wind,
Don’t let the wind blow here no more.
Hmm-hmm,
Hmm-my Lord.
Think I heard my stevedore say,
I’ll go down and saw the wood.
Hmm-hmm,
Hmm-my Lord.
Oh, the wind,
Oh, the wind,
Don’t let the wind blow here no more.
Hmm-hmm,
Hmm-my Lord.
Oh, the wind,
Oh, the wind,
Don’t let the wind blow here no more.
Hmm-hmm,
Hmm-my Lord.
Go Mary, go ring the bell,
Go, my papa, go (Unknown lyric)
Hmm-hmm,
Hmm-my Lord.
Oh, the wind,
Oh, the wind,
Don’t let the wind blow here no more.
Hmm-hmm,
Hmm-my Lord.
28:26-29:18 I’m Gonna Cross That Ocean By Myself
Lydia speaking: (unknown words) song, favorite song.
Man speaking: Oh, I’m gonna cross that ocean.
Lydia speaking: Oh yes. I’ve got to cross that ocean by myself.
I’m gonna cross that ocean by myself,
By myself.
I’m gonna cross that ocean by myself,
By myself
When my Lord calls me and I must go,
I’m gonna cross that ocean by myself.
Man speaking: That’s it.
Lydia speaking: That is the one. But (Unknown words)
(Recording ends abruptly)
29:18-29:55 Let Your Heavenly Light Shine on Me
(Recording abruptly begins)
You must bow so low,
Low, low.
Low is the way to the (Unknown lyric)
Let your heavenly light shine on me.
Sister Bessie, you must bow so low,
so low.
Sister Bessie, you must bow so low,
so low.
Low is the way to the (Unknown lyric)
Heaven light shine on me.
Man speaking: Just like that.
29:55-31:42 One More River To Cross
Lydia speaking: And sing it a little, um, move a little bit with it. Show you’re happy about the bright, shining river.
Man speaking: Yes.
(Singing continues disjointedly)
(Indistinct talking)
Man Speaking: Jordan is a bright.
Jordan is a wide river.
Jordan is a,
Bright and shining river.
Jordan is a wide river,
One more river to cross.
Talking about a wide river.
Jordan is a,
Bright and shining river.
Jordan is a wide river,
One more river to cross.
Just when I get to heaven gonna walk around,
One more river to cross.
All the angels in the heaven (Unknown lyric)
One more river to cross.
Talking about a wide river.
Jordan is a,
Bright and shining river.
Jordan is a wide river,
One more river to cross.
Well, Moses (Unknown lyric) water on a golden rod,
One more river to cross.
(Recording ends abruptly)
Description
Gullah Geechee Recordings from the Margaret Davis Cate Collection at Fort Frederica National Monument
Copyright and Usage Info