The most famous and much livelier version of this song was sung by the Famous Ward Singers (Clara Ward Singers), who recorded several times. This is from their 1958 recording (on The Gospel Train Is Coming, MCA/Gems MVCE 24003 [Japan]; originally Dot DLP25138). Marion Williams, once a member of the Ward Singers, also sang this.

PACKIN' UP

I am on my way to the true Jerusalem
Where the sun never goes down
Every day I'm making preparations
Well I'm packin' (Gettin' ready to go)
Yeah, I'm gettin' ready (Gettin' ready to go)
Gettin' ready to go
(I'm packin' up, gettin' ready to go)

Packin' up (Gettin' ready to go)
Gettin' ready to go (Gettin' ready to go)
Packin' up (Gettin' ready to go)
Gettin' ready to go (Gettin' ready to go)
Packin' up (Gettin' ready to go)
Gettin' ready to go (Gettin' ready to go)
I'm packin' up (Gettin' ready to go)
Gettin' ready to go (Gettin' ready to go)

Oh, I got my sword (Got my sword)
I got my shield (sword and shield)
Got my ticket (Got my ticket)
Signed and sealed (Signed and sealed)
Well, you know, I'm packin' (Gettin' ready to go)
Yeah, I'm gettin' ready (Gettin' ready to go)
Gettin' ready to go
(I'm packin' up, gettin' ready to go)

*
Well, you know, I'm packin', packin'
Lord (Packin' up) oh, Lord (Packin' up)
Lord (Packin' up) oh, Lord (Packin' up)
Lord (Packin' up) oh, Lord (Packin' up)
Lord (Packin' up) oh, Lord (Packin' up)
(Packin' up, packin' up, packin' up, packin' up)

(Packin' up, packin' up, packin' up, packin' up)
Lord (Packin' up) oh, Lord (Packin' up)
I'm packin' up (Gettin' ready to go)
Gettin' ready (Gettin' ready to go)
Gettin' ready to go
(I'm packin' up, gettin' ready to go)

Then I pray (Gettin' ready to go)
An earnest prayer (Gettin' ready to go)
Lord, Lord (Gettin' ready to go)
Please meet me there (Gettin' ready to go)
Then I tell Him (Gettin' ready to go)
He's got to make me stronger (Gettin' ready to go)
Don't you know I can't (Gettin' ready to go)
Can't hold off much longer (Gettin' ready to go)

When a wheel (When a wheel)
Brings to turn (Gettin' ready to go)
Little fire (And the fire)
Begins to burn (Fire begins to burn)
Well, you know, I'm packin' (Gettin' ready to go)
Yeah, I'm gettin' ready (Gettin' ready to go)
Gettin' ready to go
(I'm packin' up, gettin' ready to go)

(* Repeat)