“Home in that Rock”

Description

"I've got a home in(-a) that rock, don't you see, don't you see? Up between earth and sky, Though I heard my savior cry, 'You've got a home....'" The fates of Dives and Lazarus are alluded to, or David, or Judas, or the happy fate of Noah

Notes

The editors of Brown think that their "Little David" version is linked to "Little David, Play On Your Harp." That may perhaps have asserted some influence, but the final line, "He got [or "lost," in the case of Judas] a home in that rock, don't you see?" strikes me as the key characteristic.

The parable (not an actual historical event!) of the rich man ("Dives") and Lazarus is found in Luke 16:19-31. The story of Noah's flood is in Genesis 6-8, with the covenant of the rainbow in Gen. 9:12-17. - RBW

Recordings

• Elder Charles Beck, "I Got a Home In That Rock" (Eagle 103, n.d.)
• Biddle University Quartet, "I've Got a Home In That Rock" (Pathe 22400, 1920/Perfect 11225, 1925)
• Birmingham Jubilee Singers, "Home in that Rock" (Columbia 14163-D, 1926)
• Carter Family, "God Gave Noah the Rainbow Sign" (Victor V-40110, 1929) (Conqueror 8693, 1936)
• J. E. Mainer's Mountaineers "Got a Home In That Rock" (Bluebird B-6539, 1936)
• Otis Mote, "Home in the Rock" (OKeh 45429, 1930)
• Paul Robeson, "I Got a Home In-a Dat Rock" (Victor 21109, 1927)
• Smith's Jubilee Singers, "I've Got a Home in That Rock" (Sterling 1503, n.d.)
• Marshall Smith, "Home in the Rock" (Columbia 15080-D, 1926)
• Kid Williams & Bill Morgan [pseuds. for Walter Smith & Lewis McDaniel], "When He Died He Got a Home in Hell" (Homestead 16094, c. 1929; Conqueror 7739, 1931)

References

1. BrownIII 608, "Little David" (1 short text)
2. Silber-FSWB, p. 355, "Home In That Rock" (1 text)
3. Roud #12209
4. BI, FSWB355A