By E. A. Benson
(St. Louis: 1878)
Ransom Research Center
University of Texas
My hours are number'd now,
And soon in peace I'll be lying,
Death's damp is on my brow,
Den bring de white folks one and all,
I'se ben a niggur true,
And ere I hear my maker's call,
I'll bid dem all Adieu.
CHORUS
Den bring de white folks one and all,
I'se ben a niggur true,
And ere I hear my maker's call,
I'll bid dem all Adieu.
2. Yes, bid dem all adieu, for I
Can neber say farewell,
It seems to me de last good bye,
And surely I'se hern tell,
Dat dis bright land where I'se a guine,
Is a land dats just and right,
And each one dar will equally shine,
If his soul be just as white.
3. And missus I will meet her there,
And little Josey too,
And master John de brave and fair,
Who died while wearing de blue,
Oh happier den all happy things,
When a life well spent is ending,
And de happy thought which a death-bed brings,
And de grace of God descending.
4. Den dig my grave 'neath the chesnut tree,
Wid de spade I used so long,
And all join in and sing for me,
A good old methodist song,
Yes shout it loud, that I may know,
By faithful hearts 'tis giv'n,
And while you sing it down below,
I'll shout it back from heav'n.
