Contents -Volume INDEX -AUTHOR INDEX -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Stedman and Hutchinson, comps. A Library of American Literature:
An Anthology in Eleven Volumes. 1891.
Vols. IX–XI: Literature of the Republic, Part IV., 1861–1889

A Revival Hymn

By Joel Chandler Harris (1848–1908)

OH, whar shill we go w’en de great day comes,

Wid de blowin’ er de trumpits en de bangin’ er de drums?

How many po’ sinners ’ll be kotched out late

En fine no latch ter de golden gate?

No use fer ter wait twel ter-morrer!

De sun musn’t set on yo’ sorrer,

Sin’s ez sharp ez a bamboo-brier—

Oh, Lord! fetch de mo’ners up higher!

W’en de nashuns er de earf is a stan’in all aroun’,

Who’s a gwineter be choosen fer ter w’ar de glory-crown?

Who’s a gwine fer ter stan’ stiff-kneed en bol’,

En answer to der name at de callin’ er de roll?

You better come now ef you comin’—

Ole Satun is loose en a bummin’—

De wheels er distruckshun is a hummin’—

Oh, come ’long, sinner, ef you comin’!

De song er salvashun is a mighty sweet song,

En de Pairidise win’ blow fur en blow strong,

En Aberham’s bosom, hit’s saft en hit’s wide,

En right dar’s de place whar de sinners oughter hide!

Oh, you nee’nter be a stoppin’ en a lookin’;

Ef you fool wid ole Satun you’ll git took in;

You’ll hang on de aidge en get shook in,

Ef you keep on a stoppin’ en a lookin’.

De time is right now, en dish yer’s de place—

Let de sun er salvashun shine squar’ in yo’ face;

Fight de battles er de Lord, fight soon en fight late,

En you’ll allers fine a latch ter de golden gate.

No use fer ter wait twel ter-morrer,

De sun musn’t set on yo’ sorrer—

Sin’s ez sharp ez a bamboo-brier,

Ax de Lord fer ter fetch you up higher!