Steal away, steal away

Steal away to Jesus

Steal away, steal away home

I ain't got long to stay here

I was walkin' in Savannah, passed the church decayed and dimed

When there's slowly through the window came a plaintive funeral hymn

And a sympathy awakened an' a wonder quickly grew

Till I found myself seat in a little negro pew

Out at front a young couple sat in sorrow, nearly wild

And on the altar was a coffin and in the coffin lay a child

Rows of sad old negro preacher at his little wooden desk

With a manner grandly awkward with the countless grotesque

And he said now don't be weepin' for this little bit of clay

For the little boy who lived there he done gone and run away

He's was doin' very finely and he appreaciated your love

But it's sure enough father want him in the large house up above

Now he didn't give you that baby by a hundred thousand miles

He just think you need some sunshine and he lend it for awhile

He let you keep and love it till your hearts were bigger grown

And these silver tears you have shed that's just interest on the loan

So my poor dejected mourners let your hearts with Jesus rest

And don't go criticizein' no one the one that knows the best

He gives us many comforts he's ever right to take away

To the Lord be praised in glory now and ever, let us pray

My Lord calls me, He calls me by the thunder

The trumpet sounds within my soul

I ain't got long to stay here