JOHN DONE SAW THAT NUMBER
(sung by Vera Hall, Livingston, Ala., 1937)

Sung:
1 John done saw that number,
    Way in the middle of the air,
    John done saw that number,
    Way in the middle of the air.

2 John couldn't read it, Lord,
    John couldn't read it, Lord,
    John couldn't read it, my Lord,
    John couldn't read it.

Chanted:
3 See, see, see, man, read,
    Read the Revelation,
    Third chapter, third verse,
    And there you'll find it there;
    There was a man of the Pharisees,
    Named Nicodemus, ruler of the Jews,
    Same came to him by night,
    Says, "No man can do these mi'acles
    Except God be with him there."

Sung:
4 Cry'n', "Holy, Lord,"
    Cry'n', "Holy, Lord,"
    Cry'n', "Holy, my Lord,"
    Cry'n', "Holy."

5 John couldn't read it, Lord,
    John couldn't read it, Lord,
    John couldn't read it, my Lord,
    John couldn't read it.

Chanted:
6 There was a beast came out of the sea
    Havin' ten horns and ten crowns,
    On his horns was a-written blaspheme--

Sung:
7 Weep like a willow, mourn like a dove,
    You can't get to heaven 'thout you go by love.

8 John saw that number,
    Way in the middle of the air,
    John saw that number,
    Way in the middle of the air.

9 John couldn't read it, Lord,
    John couldn't read it, Lord,
    John couldn't read it, my Lord,
    John couldn't read it.

10 Cry'n', "Holy, Lord,"
    Cry'n', "Holy, Lord,"
    Cry'n', "Holy, my Lord,"
    Cry'n', "Holy."

Chanted:
11 God told the angel,
    "Go down, see 'bout old John,"
    Angel flew from the bottom of the pit,
    Gathered the sun all in her fist;
    Gathered the moon all 'round her wrist;
    Gathered the stars all under her feet;
    Gathered the wind all 'round her waist.

Sung:
12 Cry'n', "Holy, Lord,"
    Cry'n', "Holy, Lord,"
    Cry'n', "Holy, my Lord,"
    Cry'n', "Holy."


13 John couldn't read it, Lord,
    John couldn't read it, Lord,
    John couldn't read it, my Lord,
    John couldn't read it.

SOURCE: John A. Lomax & Alan Lomax, Our Singing Country: Folk Songs and Ballads (1941; rpt. Dover, 2000, pp.16-21; with music)