Hi, Shad & Hypathia - I'm guessing you heard a version of the black spiritual, "Give Me Jesus." I think I've heard it more often as "Give Me Freedom."
-Joe Offer-

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GIVE ME JESUS
(traditional black spiritual)

I heard my mother say,
I heard my mother say,
I heard my mother say,
"Give me Jesus."

CHORUS
Give me Jesus,
Give me Jesus,
You may have all this world,
Give me Jesus.

At dark midnight was my cry
At dark midnight was my cry
At dark midnight was my cry
Give me Jesus.

CHORUS

In the morning when I rise
In the morning when I rise
In the morning when I rise
Give me Jesus.

CHORUS

And when I come to die
And when I come to die
And when I come to die
Give me Jesus.

CHORUS

source: American Negro Songs, John W. Work, 1940.

Dover has this book available as a paperback, God bless 'em.

I'll send the tune to Mudcat MIDIs.
-Joe Offer- ^^