Traditional & Folk Songs with Chords
Wake Nicodemus
Wake Nicodemus - Lyrics & Chords
Henry Clay Work
D7 |
G |
C |
G |
Nico |
de |
mus, the |
slave, was of African birth, |
D7 |
G |
C |
G |
And was |
bought for a |
bagful of |
gold; |
D7 |
G |
C |
G |
He was |
recko |
n'd as |
part of the salt of the earth, |
D7 |
G |
C |
G |
But he |
died year |
s ago, very |
old. |
|
D |
C |
Bm |
Em |
'Twas his |
last sad |
request, |
so we |
laid him away |
G |
D |
Bm |
C |
D |
In the |
trunk of an |
old |
hollow |
tree. |
D7 |
G |
C |
G |
"Wake me u |
p!" |
was his |
charge, "at the first break of day— |
D7 |
G |
C |
G |
Wake me up |
for the |
great Jubi |
lee!" |
Chorus:
|
G |
Em |
D |
G |
D |
G |
The |
"Good Time |
Coming" |
is |
almos |
t |
here! |
D |
G |
C |
G |
C |
D |
It was |
long, |
long, |
long |
on the |
way! |
|
G |
D |
Em |
G |
Now |
run and tell El |
ijah to |
hurry up |
Pomp, |
|
Am7 |
D7 |
G |
D7 |
And |
meet us at the |
gum-tree |
down in the |
swamp, |
|
G |
C |
G |
To |
wake Nicod |
emus t |
oday. |
He was known as a prophet—at least was as wise—
For he told of the battles to come;
And he trembled with dread when he rolled up his eyes,
And we heeded the shake of the thumb.
Though he clothed us with fear, yet the garments he wore
Were in patches at elbow and knee;
And he still wears the suit, that he used to of yore,
And he sleeps in the old hollow tree!
Nicodemus was never the sport of the lash,
Though the bullet has oft cross'd his path;
There were none of his masters so brave or so rash,
As to face such a man in his wrath.
Yet his great heart with kindness was filled to the brim—
He obeyed who was born to command;
But he long'd for the morning which then was so dim—
For the morning which is now at hand.
'Twas a long weary night—we were almost in fear
That the future was more than he knew;
'Twas a long weary night—but the morning is near,
And the words of our prophet are true.
There are signs in the sky that the darkness is gone—
There are tokens in endless array;
While the storm which had seemingly banished the dawn,
Only hastens the advent of day.
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