Turkle Dove
Recorded on Bound to Go, led by Casey Calhoun.
From the singing of Bessie Jones, who learned it from her step-Grandfather Jet Samson, who was born in 1841 and lived to be 105. Jones' recording is on Southern Journey Volume 12, Biblical Songs and Spirituals, with the Georgia Sea Islands Singers. The Turkle (turtle) dove is Noah's dove. A do-do is an African lullaby. "Sa-sa-la-do on sa- la- sa- ree" are from the solfege (shape note -singing) scale—here, it's the first thing you hear when you get to heaven.
The turkle dove done drooped his wing
The turkle dove done drooped his wing
The turkle dove done drooped his wing
Went on Zion hill to sing
Adam and Eve, do-do
Adam and Eve, don't tell it to me
Just meet me at the do'
Don't tell it to me
Sa-sa-la-do on sa-la-sa-ree
My name written on David line
My name written on David line
My name written on David line
I'm goin' to heaven on the wheel of time
Adam and Eve, do-do
Adam and Eve, don't tell it to me
Just meet me at the do'
Don't tell it to me
Sa-sa-la-do on sa-la-sa-ree
When I get to heaven I know the rule
When I get to heaven I know the rule
When I get to heaven I know the rule
Keep right down to the bathing pool
Adam and Eve, do-do
Adam and Eve, don't tell it to me
Just meet me at the do'
Don't tell it to me
Sa-sa-la-do on sa-la-sa-ree