O’er the Crossing
From Slave Songs of the United States, a Virginia spiritual published 1867. Recorded on Bound to Go.
Bendin’ knees a-aching, body racked with pain
I wish I was a child of God, I’d get home by & by
Chorus:
Keep prayin’, I do believe, we’re a long time wagin’ at the crossin’
Little children, I do believe, we’ll get home to heaven by and by
Yonder’s my old mother, been wagin’ at the hill so long
It’s about time she cross over, she’ll get home by & by
Chorus
Oh hear that mournful thunder, a-roll from door to door
A-callin’ the people home to god, they’ll get home by and by
Chorus
Oh see that forked lightnin’, a-jump from cloud to cloud
A pickin’ up god’s children, they’ll get home by & by
Chorus