Church Building

Uncle Jacob often told us, Since freedom blessed our race We ought all to come together And build a meeting place. So we pinched, and scraped, and spared, A little here and there: Though our wages was but scanty, The church did get a share. And, when the house was finished, Uncle Jacob came to pray; He was looking mighty feeble, And his head was awful gray. But his voice rang like a trumpet; His eyes looked bright and young; And it seemed a mighty power Was resting on his tongue. And he gave us all his blessing - 'Twas parting words he said, For soon we got the message The dear old man was dead. But I believe he's in the kingdom, For when we shook his hand He said, 'Children, you must meet me Right in the promised land; 'For when I done a moiling And toiling here below, Through the gate into the city Straightway I hope to go.'