This gem springs, fuill of life, out of the Max Hunter collection (online sound/text/notation). Ollie Gilbert knew and could reel off hundreds, maybe thousands, of songs. She had her own style of puitting them across-- forthright. She did this one in such a way that I can never get another style for it in my head or out of my throat-- to the benfeit of the song, and the singer.

We lined out this one with the people, too. Now, I understand two ways of lining out-- one is to sing-sonhg just a fragment of the next line's text, and the other-- the way we follow-- is to sing each line full-out for the people, who then repeat it back. It's so much fun to lead that! As the people sing each line back, the end of their line propels me into leading the next line, just as if I had just fh=inished singing the preceding line, myself. Tossing it back and forth like that, I feel them leading me, as much as I may be leading them. So cool.

This is a different song from the one most people know by this title. The tune is in two parts (A & B like a fioddle tune), and instead of a full refrain (or in addition to one if you wish), each verse has a refrain-like portion that follows on logically from the verse's text. I've indicated it in the first verse, below, but the pattern continues through succeeding verses.

Text and theme are GREAT for Lent-- parallel of Jesus' temptation in the desert.

~Susan

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ROCK IN THE WEARY LAND (AKA "THE SHELTERING ROCK")
Words & Music: W. E. Penn, 1887. As sung by Ollie Gilbert, Mountain View, Arkansas on February 9, 1970. Edited by Susan O. Hinton. Arrangement © 2007 Susan O. Hinton for The Good News-Goodtime Band.

A great rock in a weary land. Isaiah 32:2


1. A Part: There is a rock in the weary land;
Its shadow falls on the burning sand,
Inviting pilgrims as they pass
To seek a shade in the wilderness.
B Part: Then why will ye die?
Why will ye die?
When the sheltering rock is so near by,
Then why will ye die?

2. There is a well, in the desert plain;
Its waters call with entreating strain.
Whoever thirsts, ye sinsick soul,
Come freely drink and you shall be whole.
Then why will ye die?
Why will ye die?
When the living well is so near by,
Then why will ye die?

3. There is a fold, with its portals wide;
The sheep astray on the mountainside.
The shepherd comes o'er mountain steep
Searching for His wandering sheep.
Then why will ye die?
Why will ye die?
When the shepherd's fold is so near by,
Then why will ye die?

4. There is a cross where the Savior died;
His blood flowed out in a crimson tide,
A sacrifice for sins of men,
And free to all who will enter in.
Then why will ye die?
Why will ye die?
When the crimson cross is so near by,
Then why will ye die?


SH