Uncle Remus: His Songs and His Sayings/De Big Bethel Church

by Joel Chandler Harris

His Songs

VIII. De Big Bethel Church

De Big Bethel chu’ch! de Big Bethel chu’ch!
      Done put ole Satun behine um;
Ef a sinner git loose fum enny udder chu’ch,
      De Big Bethel chu’ch will fine um!

Hit’s good ter be dere, en it’s sweet ter be dere,
      Wid de sisterin’ all aroun’ you—
A shakin’ dem shackles er mussy en’ love
      Wharwid de Lord is boun’ you.

Hit’s sweet ter be dere en lissen ter de hymns,
      En hear dem mo’ners a shoutin’—
Dey done reach de place whar der ain’t no room
      Fer enny mo’ weepin’ en doubtin’.

Hit’s good ter be dere w’en de sinners all jine
      Wid de brudderin in dere singin’,
En it look like Gaberl gwine ter rack up en blow
      En set dem heav’m bells ter ringin’!

Oh, de Big Bethel chu’ch! de Big Bethel chu’ch,
      Done put ole Satun behine um;
Ef a sinner git loose fum enny udder chu’ch
      De Big Bethel chu’ch will fine um!