OH, PETER GO RING DEM BELLS
(Traditional Spiritual)

Oh, Peter, go ring dem bells,
Peter, go ring dem bells,
Peter, go ring dem bells,
I heard from Heaven today.

I wonder where my mother is gone,
I wonder where my mother is gone,
I wonder where my mother is gone,
I heard from heaven today.

I wonder where brother Moses is gone,
I wonder where brother Daniel's gone,
Dey's gone where Elija's gone,
I heard from Heaven today.

I heard from Heaven today,
I heard from Heaven today,
I heard from Heaven today.
I thank God, and I thank you too.

Oh, Peter, go ring dem bells,
Peter, go ring dem bells,
Peter, go ring dem bells,
I heard from Heaven today.

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This is a more traditional version of "Ring Dem Bells." It's very similar to "Peter Go Ring Dem Bells," which you'll find in Johnson & Johnson's The Books of American Negro Spirituals. I found the lyrics here (click) which was much easier than transcribing them from the Johnson book.
I wonder what lyrics Ellington used in his composition. Anybody know?

-Lazy Joe-