Info Req: Death Come a Knockin

Subject: Info Req: Death Come a Knockin
From: em gunyou halaas
Date: 07 Dec 04 - 12:15 PM

Hello all! The more I learn about Trad music the more I wonder what songs I already know are actually Traditional. Maybe y'all can help me out. Here's one I used to sing in church choir (Congregationalist, lots of great music):

Oh, Death come a knockin on that sinner's door
Said old sinner are you ready to go?
He said no no no no no no no
Because I ain't got on my travlin shoes
Ain't done my duty
Singin no no no
Singin no no no
Because I ain't got on my travlin shoes

Repeat with liar, cheater etc...

Oh, Death come a knockin on that Christian's door
Said old Christian are you ready to go
He said yes yes yes yes yes yes yes
Because I just got on my travlin shoes
Just done my duty
Singin yes yes yes
Singin yes yes yes
Because I just got on my travlin shoes

Thanks for your help!
emily

Subject: RE: Info Req: Death Come a Knockin
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 07 Dec 04 - 01:01 PM

Old gospel song, both black (originally?) and white. Smithsonian Folkways has it on a recording made at Fort Valley, GA by the Four Brothers.
A good 'un by Ruthie Foster.
I also would like to know more about its age and origin. There are a number of black gospel songs with 'travelin' shoes' and 'death come' collected since about 1900, but not quite the same content.

Subject: RE: Info Req: Death Come a Knockin
From: em gunyou halaas
Date: 07 Dec 04 - 02:20 PM

thanks Q!