The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

SONG:RELIGIOS, NEGRO

(1) LORD, HE THOUGHT HE'D MAKE HIM A MAN.
DEM BONES GONNA RISE AGAIN.
TOOK A LITTLE WATER AND TOOK A LITTLE SAND.
DEM BONES GONNA RISE AGAIN.
I KNOWED IT, KNOWED IT
INDEED, I KNOWED IT BROTHER.
I KNOWED IT, WELL
DEM BONES GONNA RISE AGAIN.
(2) THOUGHT HE'D MAKE HIM A WOMAN TOO.
(REPEAT DEM BONES...., AS IN FIRST VERSE)
DIDN'T KNOW 'ZACTLY WHAT TO DO.
(3) TOOK A RIB FROM ADAM'S SIDE.
MADE MISS EVE FOR TO BE HIS BRIDE.
(4) PUT THEM IN A GARDEN FAIR.
THOUGHT THEY'D BE CONTENTED THERE.
(5) APPLED, PEACHES, PEARS, AND SUCH.
BUT THIS TREE YOU MUST NOT TOUCH.
(6) ROUND THAT TREE OLD SATAN SLUNK.
AT MISS EVE HIS EYES HE WUNK.
(7) FIRST HE TOOK THE ONE HE PULL.
THEN SHE FILLED HER APRON FULL.
(8) NEXT DAY WHEN THE LORD CAME 'ROUND.
SAW 'DEM CORES ALL OVER THE GROUND.
(9) ADAM, ADAM, WHERE ART THOU?
RIGHT HERE, LORD, I'M COMIN NOW.
(10) ADAM, WHO THEM CORES DID LEAVE...
T'WEREN'T ME, LORD, MUST A BEEN EVE.
(11) ADAM YOU MUST LEAVE THIS PLACE.
WAT YOU'VE DONES' A TERRIBLE DISGRACE.
(12) HE GAVE 'EM A HOE, AND HE GAVE 'EM A PLOW.
AND DAT'S DE REASON WE'S A WORKIN' NOW.
(13) TO THIS STORY THERE AIN'T NO MORE.
EVE GOT THE APPLE, BUT ADAM GOT THE CORE.

Submitter comment: DEM BONES: SUNG AT GIRLS' SCOUT CAMP IN NORTH CAROLINA.

Where learned: PEABODY COLLEGE

Date learned: 06-19-1972