“Oh, Lord, How Long”

Description

"Before this time another year, I may be (dead and) gone, Down in some lonesome graveyard, Oh Lord, how long!" "Just as the tree falls, just so it lies; Just as the sinner lives, just so he dies." "My mother broke the ice and gone...."

Supplemental text

Oh, Lord, How Long
  Complete text(s)

          *** A ***

As recorded by Evo and Jemmy Bluestein (on "Shut Up and Sing," a
Bluestein Family Sampler, Greenhays GR70720), based on the singing of
Bessie Jones. Transcribed by Robert Waltz. It will be evident that
not all the lines were clearly enunciated. The version is a mixture
of a sung chorus and spoken/chanted lines.

  How long?
  How long?
  How long?
God showed Norah          [i.e. Noah]
  How long?
The rainbow sign.
  How long?
Said no more water
  How long?
But the fire next time.
  How long?

Chorus:
And before this time another year,
I may be gone,
In some lonesome graveyard,
Oh, Lord, how long?

God showed Gabriel        [or "God chose Gabriel?"]
  How long?
Behind the altar          [?]
  How long?
Pick up your trumpet
  How long?
And begin to blow it.
  How long?
I want you to blow it
  How long?
At my command,
  How long?
One foot on the sea,
  How long?
One foot on the land.
  How long?
I want you to blow it
  How long?
Nice and easy,
  How long?
Pick up my children,
  How long?
Lay down there sleepin'.
  How long?
I want you to blow it
  How long?
As loud as thunder;
  How long?
Wake up those children.
  How long?
That are rollin' under.
  How long?
Wake up my deacon,
  How long?
Lay down there sleepin',
  How long?
Wake up my preacher,
  How long?
Lay down there weepin',
  How long?
Wake up my members,
  How long?
That's down there tremblin',
  How long?

And before this time another year....

When I get to heaven,
  How long?
Gonna sit right down,
  How long?
I know King Jesus
  How long?
Give me my crown.
  How long?
And I looked all around me,
  How long?
All around does shine,
  How long?
I'm gonna feel happy
  How long?
'Cause I may live dyin'   [?]
  How long?

And before this time another year....

Gonna go on, brother,
  How long?
Gonna see my mother,
  How long?
Gonna go a bit further,
  How long?
Gonna see my brother.
  How long?
Gonna talk to the Father,
  How long?
Gonna talk to the Son.
  How long?
Tell 'em 'bout the world
  How long?
I just come from.
  How long?

And before this time another year....

Saying, "Oh, Lord,
  How long?
Troubles is over,
  How long?
I thank you Jesus
  How long?
I made it over."
  How long?
Then no more cryin',
  How long?
And no more dyin'."
  How long?
I thank you Jesus
  How long?
I'm free at last.

Notes

This is really a chorus with extra lyrics. Bessie Jones sang a version with irregular lines (interspersed with the phrase "how long"?), which broke into the chorus at random intervals. The Lomax text proceeds in double lines, but of different lengths. Some of the versions are regular. But the song is recognized by the chorus "Before this time another year, I may be gone...." - RBW

Recordings

• Sister L. Brown & congregation "Before This Time, Another Year" (on MuSouth09)
• The Chosen Gospel Singers, "Before This Time Another Year" (Specialty 848, n.d.)
• Cleveland Simmons and Mr. Taylor, "I May Be Gone" (AAFS 422 A2, 1935; on LomaxCD1822-2)
• Odette & Ethel, "Befo' This Time Another Year" (Columbia 14169-D, 1926)

References

1. Randolph 615, "Oh Lord, How Long!" (1 text, 1 tune)
2. Lomax-ABFS, pp. 586-587, "Oh, Lawd, How Long?" (1 text, 1 tune)
3. Chase, p. 169, "Oh Lord, How Long?" (1 text, 1 tune)
4. ST R615 (Full)
5. Roud #7546
6. BI, R615