The Barton version in "RECENT NEGRO MELODIES" (p. 714):

There are some of the more recent plantation hymns which have added an element of culture without diminishing religious fervor. One of the best of these is "Were You There When They Crucified My Lord?" It dwells on the details of the crucifixion, and the separate stanzas add only a single line each to the song. It is a tender and beautiful hymn, the climax of its effect depending largely on the hold and slur on the exclamation "Oh !" with which the third line begins, and the repetition and expression of the word "tremble! tremble! tremble!"

WERE YOU THERE?

1. Where you there when they crucified my Lord? (Were you there?)
   Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
   O sometimes it causes me to tremble! tremble! tremble!
   Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

2. Were you there when they nail'd him to the cross? (Were you there?)
   Were you there when they nail'd him to the cross?
   O sometimes it causes me to tremble! tremble! tremble!
   Were you there when they nail'd him to the cross?

3. Were you there when they pierced him in the side? (Were you there?)
   Were you there when they pierced him in the side?
   O sometimes it causes me to tremble! tremble! tremble!
   Were you there when they pierced him in the side?

4. Were you there when the sun refused to shine? (Were you there?)
   Were you there when the sun refused to shine?
   O sometimes it causes me to tremble! tremble! tremble!
   Were you there when the sun refused to shine?