The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #130508   Message #2941499
Posted By: Q (Frank Staplin)
07-Jul-10 - 08:54 PM
Thread Name: St. Helena Island Spirituals Permathread
Subject: I Want to Die Easy when I Die
17. I Want to Die Easy When I Die

I want to die easy when I die (when I die)
I want to die easy when I die (when I die)
I want to die easy when I die
Shout salvation as I fly
I want to die easy when I die (when I die).

I want to see muh mother when I die
I want to see muh mother when I die
I want to see muh mother when I die
Shout salvation as I fly
I want to see muh mother when I die.

"Other verses may be had by using the words father, brother, sister, deacon, pastor."

The song concludes with the following verses.

I want to see muh Jedus when I die (repeated as in verse 2)
Shout salvation as I fly
I want to see muh Jedus when I die
I want to go to heben when I die (repeated as in verse 2)
Shout salvation as I fly
I want to go to heben when I die.

"Note 1. The rhythmic alterations required by verse 2 and succeeding verses are attended by a slight change in the melody as follows:"
[Examples given- I want to see my mother etc.]
"Note 2. The words "when I die" are repeated as shown above by other voices against the sustained tonic and dominant."

Also in Johnson, Second Book of Negro Spirituals