Warfare

My Lord told his disciples
After I'm risen and gone
You will meet with troubles and trials
But bear your rebukes and scorn

My warfare will soon be ended
My race is nearly run
My warfare will soon be ended
And I am a-going home

You can rebuke me all you want to
I'm travelling home to God
I'm well acquainted with the crosses
And all my ways are hard

They say my Lord is the devil
They call his saints the same
I'm not expecting any more down here
Than grief and scorn and shame

God bless them Holiness people
The Presbyterians too
The good old shouting Methodists
And the praying Baptists too

And when you get to heaven
I want to see you there
And when I say Amen
I want you to say so too

My warfare will soon be ended
My race is nearly run
My warfare will soon be ended
And I am a-going home

transcribed by ear from the Rounder High Atmosphere compilation CD.

Collected by John Cohen, November, 1965
sung by Estil C. Ball, at Rugby, Virginia

The notes say the song was also recorded by Sarah Ogan Gunning and Wade Mainer.