LET THE CHURCH ROLL ON

Let the church roll on (My good Lord)
Let the church roll on (Oh, my Lord)
Turn him out (Turn him out)
And let the church roll on

There's gamblers in the church (My good Lord)
And they won't do right (Oh, my Lord)
What're you gonna do (Turn them out)
And let the church roll on

[INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Let the church roll on (My good Lord)
Let the church roll on (Oh, my Lord)
Turn him out (Turn him out)
And let the church roll on

There's drunkards in the church (My good Lord)
And they won't do right (Oh, my Lord)
What're you gonna do (Turn them out)
And let the church roll on

[INSTRUMENTAL BREAK]

Let the church roll on (My good Lord)
Let the church roll on (Oh, my Lord)
Turn him out (Turn him out)
And let the church roll on

There's members in the church (My good Lord)
And they won't do right (Oh, my Lord)
What're you gonna do (Take some new ones that could)
And let the church roll on

Let the church roll on (My good Lord)
Let the church roll on (Oh, my Lord)
Turn him out (Turn him out)
And let the church roll on

from the Carter Family recording, May 25, 1931

(The Carter Family 1927-1934, JSP Records Box Set)

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There's also a recording by Mahalia Jackson, a very interesting arrangement. Doc Watson sings this one, more-or-less the same as the Carter Family arrangement, but there's a bass voice that tells what we're supposed to do, and I can't make out what he's saying. One I caught was gamblers: "Throw the cards and dice away and let the church roll on."
-Joe Offer-