Hi Susan....Not certain how long your post was up, but I just stumbled upon it. I produced that CD along with Kieran Kane. Mr. Freeman would sing that song for me over the years and it always blew me away. He knew nothing of its origin other than, as you say, his mom sang it. Our efforts to trace the song also led to dead ends. So, it is what it is. I suspect it may be a hymn of non-African American origin published in a hymn book of the day....1930s or so. Wish I could tell you more...but very heartening to see that others have been impacted as much as I....Best. Jerry Z.