Roll, Jordan, Roll

Comment by Strumelia on December 4, 2012 at 3:58pm

That's a really pretty tune, and I love how it sounds on the gourd- like children skipping along happily.

Are there words to it?

Comment by Tim Twiss on December 4, 2012 at 5:16pm

Yes, and the words are way more important than any instrumental arrangement. I believe it is a google book or something, accessed free.

Comment by Strumelia on December 4, 2012 at 5:55pm

Ah, sorry, some words found here:

http://docsouth.unc.edu/church/allen/allen.html

[1. My brudder^* sittin' on de tree of life,
An' he yearde when Jordan roll;
Roll, Jordan, Roll, Jordan, Roll, Jordan, roll!
O march de angel march,
O march de angel march;
O my soul arise in Heaven, Lord,
For to yearde when Jordan roll.]

2. Little chil'en, learn to fear de Lord,
And let your days be long;
Roll, Jordan, &c.

3. O, let no false nor spiteful word
Be found upon your tongue;
Roll, Jordan, &c.

Comment by Matthew Mickletz on December 5, 2012 at 9:43am

I have a recording (on CD) somewhere I'll have to dig up of this being sung by a group in a "choir-like" way.  Different lyrics for sure, but don't know where they (the singers) found them.  It was a call and responce, with the call being louder than the responce (saee below).  Most likely in an attempt to have the caller be "God" and the responder whomever he's talking to (brother, master, sister) 

 

I recall a few lines:

Oh brother ("Sister, Master", in later verses) you ought to have been there! (loud, "authoritative")

Yes, my lord (soft, humble)

A sittin at the table ("in the kingdom" used in other verses)

To hear Jordan roll

 

Roll Jordan, roll!

Roll Jordan, roll!

I want to go to heaven when I die

To hear Jordan roll

 

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