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‹Better GutenbergThe Book of American Negro PoetryTheodore Henry Shackelford — The Big Bell in Zion · 110 of 120Contents›

The Book of American Negro Poetry

by James Weldon Johnson

110 of 120 · Contents · Download EPUB

Theodore Henry Shackelford

The Big Bell in Zion

Come, children, hear the joyful sound,
  Ding, Dong, Ding.
Go spread the glad news all around,
  Ding, Dong, Ding.

Chorus
Oh, the big bell’s tollin’ up in Zion,
  The big bell’s tollin’ up in Zion,
  The big bell’s tollin’ up in Zion,
    Ding, Dong, Ding.

I’ve been abused and tossed about,
  Ding, Dong, Ding.
But glory to the Lamb, I shout!
  Ding, Dong, Ding.

My bruthah jus’ sent word to me,
  Ding, Dong, Ding.
That he’d done set his own self free.
  Ding, Dong, Ding.

Ole massa said he could not go,
  Ding, Dong, Ding.
But he’s done reached Ohio sho’.
  Ding, Dong, Ding.

Ise gwine to be real nice an’ meek,
  Ding, Dong, Ding.
Den I’ll run away myself nex’ week.
  Ding, Dong, Ding.

Chorus

Oh, the big bell’s tollin’ up in Zion,
  The big bell’s tollin’ up in Zion,
  The big bell’s tollin’ up in Zion,
    Ding, Dong Ding.

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