Lydia Parrish says that the swinging rhythm of the communion song, "Drinkin' of the Wine," made it a favorite with the chain-gang for cutting weeds along the highway.

Lyr. Add: DRINKIN' OF THE WINE (Sea Islands)

Chorus:
Drinkin' of the wine- wine- wine
Drinkin' of the wine
O yes- my Lord.
I oughta bin to heaven ten thousand years
Drinkin' of the wine.

Eatin' of the bread- bread- bread
Eatin' of the bread- O yes my Lord.
I oughta bin to Heaven ten thousand years
Drinkin' of the wine.

Chorus

If my mother ask for me
Tell her Death done summon' me.
I oughta bin to Heaven ten thousand years
Drinkin' of the wine.

Chorus

If y'u get there before I do
Tell my Lord I'm comin' too.
I oughta bin to Heaven ten thousand years
Drinkin' of the wine.

Chorus

Ain' but one thing I done wrong
Stayin' in the wilderness mos' too long.
I oughta bin to heaven ten thousand years
Drinkin' of the wine.

Chorus

Lydia Parrish, 1942, 1992, "Slave Songs of the Georgia Sea Islands," pp. 249-251 (without music).