Steal Away

(album: This I Believe - 1966)

(Steal away, steal away, steal away to Jesus
Steal away, steal away home, I ain't got long to stay here.)

I was walking in Savannah passed the church decayed and dimed
When there's slowly through the window came a plaintive funeral hymn
And a sympathy awakened while 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
Cause on the altar was a coffin and in the coffin was their child
Row of sad old negro preacher at his little wooden desk
With a manner grandly upward with the countless grotesque.

And he said now don't be weeping for this pretty bit of clay
For the little boy who lived there he done gone and run away
And he was doing very finly 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
And 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 criticize no one the one that knows the best
He sent us many comforts he's ever right to take away
So to the Lord be praised in glory now and ever let us pray.

(I ain't got long to stay here...)