At the Welcome Table
Anonymous
| The Mudcat Cafè, Origins: Gospel song 'The Welcome Table', 2006, ... | |
| RIVER JORDAN I'm goin' down to the river Jordan I'm goin' down to the river Jordan I'm goin' down to the river Jordan I'm goin' down to the river Jordan One of these days. I'm gonna sit at the welcome table I'm gonna sit at the welcome table I'm gonna sit at the welcome table Gonna sit at the welcome table One of these days. I'm gonna find that blessed salvation I'm gonna find that blessed salvation I'm gonna find that blessed salvation Gonna find that blessed salvation One of these days. I'm gonna walk and talk with Jesus I'm gonna walk and talk with Jesus I'm gonna walk and talk with Jesus Gonna walk and talk with Jesus One of these days. I'm gonna hold hands with my Master I'm gonna hold hands with my Master I'm gonna hold hands with my Master I'm gonna hold hands with my Master One of these days. Now I'm goin' down to the river Jordan I'm goin' down to the river Jordan I'm goin' down to the river Jordan Goin' down to the river Jordan One of these days. | I'm a goin' down the river of Jordan O yes, I'm goin' down to the river of Jordan Some of these days, hallaluia I'm goin' down to the river of Jordan (2x) Some of these days. I'm a gonna set* down by my Jesus O yes, I'm goin' down to the river of Jordan Some of these days, hallaluia I'm a gonna set down by my Jesus (2x) Some of these days. I'm a gonna sing in the Heavenly choir O yes, I'm a gonna sing in the Heavenly choir Some of these days, hallaluia I'm a gonna sing, the Heavenly choir (2x) Some of these days. I'm a gonna eat at the welcome table O yes, I'm gonna eat at the welcome table Some of these days, hallaluia I'm gonna eat at the welcome table (2x) Some of these days. |
"Setting" was commonly used in speech in place of correct "sitting" by both Black and White people with little education and was so written down in many of the collections of folk songs and spirituals. Most collectors tried to copy the dialect and pronunciation of the singer (singers) since this is part of the song's province.
"Settin" was pretty general in 19th c. country America- and is still heard.
The old spiritual "Wish I Was in Heabum Settin' Down" is another example.
From: Q (Frank Staplin)