“The Ship of Zion (I)”

Description

"What is this ship you're going on board, oh, glory hallelujah (x2)? 'Tis the Old Ship Zion, hallelujah (x4) What colors does she hoist in time of war? oh, glory hallelujah (x2)? 'Tis the bloody robe of Jesus, hallelujah (x4)"

Supplemental text

Ship of Zion (I), The
  Partial text(s)

          *** A ***

From Norman Cazden, Herbert Haufrecht, Norman Studer, Folk Songs
of the Catskills, #83, pp. 313-314. From the singing of Aaron
Van De Bogart, Sr.

1. What ship is this that you're going on board?
    Oh, glory Hallelujah.
  What ship is this that you're going on board?
    Oh, glory Hallelujah.

    [first] Refrain:
    'Tis the old ship of Zion, Hallelujah,
    'Tis the old ship of Zion, Hallelujah,
    'Tis the old ship of Zion, Hallelujah,
    'Tis the old ship of Zion, Hallelujah.

(1 additional stanza and refrain)

Notes

In the Sacred Harp, the tune to this is said tentatively to be by Thomas W. Carter.

White reports a whole class of "Ship of Zion" songs, not all of which can easily be distinguished. I've split off some with clear personalities, but some just have to be lumped here. - RBW

Recordings

• McFadden Gospel Singers, "Old Ship of Zion" (Coleman 5976, n.d.)

References

1. BrownIII 623, "The Old Ship of Zion" (3 texts, of which "A" is clearly "The Old Ship of Zion (I)" but B is an unidentifiable fragment; C, with references to India and the Ganges, may be a separate piece)
2. FSCatskills 83, "The Ship of Zion" (1 text, 1 tune)
3. Silber-FSWB, p. 366, "Old Ship of Zion" (1 text)
4. ST FSC083 (Partial)
5. Roud #4204
6. BI, FSC083