The "GOING OVER THE HILL" in THIS song isn't the same idea as being "over the hill" as in "old." Rather, the "hill" is life itself, as well as the ascent to heaven. A heavenly hill one will persist in climbing, like "Climbing Up On The Rough Side Of The Mountain" posted above.

This one I found at the Kennedy Center Millenium Stage archived live video broadcasts. Sister Shirley is, herself, a show-stopper I cannot describe adequately-- go there and see/hear her if your internet connection will let you!

I found my "pentecostal" voice on this very song one Saturday night when we did it-- a spontaneous upward vocal slide of power and joy on the word "hill" that I would NEVER in a million years have even THOUGHT about trying!

The tune is very bluesy, the tempo swings along, and the melody cheerful.

And we don't ever do ALL the verses-- these are a menu of possibilities. I nade it all into a long story from what Sister Shirley started as a short, snappy song-- I can't say now for sure which words were mine (inspired as I worked on it) or borrowed from other blues gospel masters.

~S~

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GOING OVER THE HILL
Learned from the singing of Sister Shirley Sydnor. Based on a traditional African-American Spiritual. Some verses adapted from lyrics by Alvin Lee, Mississippi Fred McDowell, and Blind Willie Johnson. Adapted, edited and arranged (c) 2006 Susan O. Hinton for The Good News-Goodtime Band.

REFRAIN:
Goin' over the hill, goin' over the hill.   
Well I ain't gonna stop till I reach my God's top,
Goin' over the hill.

1. I woke one early morning, I was laid down on my floor.
Had no one to love me, had no place to go.
I looked way down that road then, just as far as I could see.
Saw a cloud of angels, Lord, they were callin' me.
I ain't gonna stop till I reach my God's top, goin' over the hill.

2. Packed up all my troubles, started down the road.
Was lookin' for some help, child, to bear a heavy load.
Too long I worry, too long I cry,
Natural life is troubles till the day we die.   
I ain't gonna stop till I reach my God's top, goin' over the hill.

3. I said, "Won't somebody tell me, what is the soul of man?
Can't you angels tell me, answer if you can!"
I traveled in foreign countries, I've traveled nameless lands;
And still no one could tell me, what is the soul of man.
I ain't gonna stop till I reach my God's top, goin' over the hill.

4. And then I met an old man, his eyes were clear and wise.
I asked him to direct me to where the answer lies.
Said, "I'm looking for the road to freedom, so I can be free."
He said, "Keep praying as you walk, and one day you will see."
I ain't gonna stop till I reach my God's top, goin' over the hill.

5. I prayed as I journeyed, over what the man had told;
It seems to me he meant the Kingdom's in your soul.
I'm on the road to freedom, I'm on the road to love.
All around me, sinners, now what they thinking of?
I ain't gonna stop till I reach my God's top, goin' over the hill.

6. One day I met a rich man; he told me where to go
To get my hands upon some gold, but still I answered, "No!
Freedom waits for me ahead, your gold will slow me down!"
I smiled as I walked away, and left him with a frown--
I ain't gonna stop till I reach my God's top, goin' over the hill.

7. I'm still on my journey, child, and don't you want to go?
You know I'm going somewhere, where I ain't been before.
And when I get to heaven, I'm goin' to sit right down;
Gonna ask the Master, "Lord do you have my crown?"
I ain't gonna stop till I reach my God's top, goin' over the hill.

8. I went down to the valley, I didn't go there to stay
My soul got so happy, that I stayed there all day.
I'm glad I got my religion, I got my religion in time;
I was a-fixed upon the altar, and the love came tumblin down.
I ain't gonna stop till I reach my God's top, goin' over the hill.

9. I read the Bible often; I try to read it right.
Ain't nobody's fault but mine if I get lost tonight.
Blessed Jesus gave me His guidebook for the trip.
Ain't nobody's fault but mine if I should choose to slip.
I ain't gonna stop till I reach my God's top, goin' over the hill.

10. Sometimes I still get worried, sometimes weary too.
The Lord provides my resting place-- you can have it too.
When you're full of sorrow, your eyes are filled with tears,
Just lean on His promise to calm all our fears.
I ain't gonna stop till I reach my God's top, goin' over the hill.

SH