I've heard this sung at bluegrass jams in Seattle, and at a thrift store I recently bought (or stole for $4) a CD called "Breakdown" by Old & In The Way (Jerry Garcia,Vassar Clements, David Grisman, John Kahn, and Peter Rowan), which is all bluegrass and has this song on it.

Can't compare this recording with the others you've mentioned, but the one on this CD is purty durned good!


Their liner notes say:
"Bill Monroe recorded this gospel song, with origins in African American spiritual traditions, for Decca in 1954 on the same day he cut "On and On." He credited it to The Carter Family, who first recorded it in 1934. Old & In The Way's version is similar to Monroe's but the words to the third verse, "If I was a dealer...," are unique to them.

Here are the lyrics they sing:

WORKING ON A BUILDING (as recorded by Old And In The Way)

If I was a preacher, I tell you what I would do:
I'd quit my preachin' And I'd work on a building, too.

Chorus:
I'm working on a building, I'm working on a building,
I'm working on a building for my Lord, for my Lord!
It's a Holy Ghost building, it's a Holy Ghost building,
It's a Holy Ghost building, for my Lord, for my Lord!

(Chorus)

If I was a drunkard, I tell you what I'd do:
I'd quit my drinkin', And I'd work on a building, too.

(Chorus)
If I was a dealer I tell you what I would do:
I'd quit my dealin' An' I'd work on the building, too.

(Chorus)