William C. Blades, "Old John Brown"
Old John Brown
He set me free,
Old John Brown
Done this for me.
Glory Hallelujah!
To the snow white lamb!
Glory Hallelujah!
What a wretch I am.
Old John Brown
He started the war,
Old John Brown
What a sword he wore.
Glory Hallelujah
To the blood of the lamb!
Glory Hallelujah!
What a wretch I am.
Old John Brown
Came marching along.
He saw me weeping
And he heard my song,
He washed my sins
In the blood of the lamb !
Glory Hallelujah!
What a saint I am.
Published in Negro Poems, Plantation Pieces... (1921)