Hi, Rasa - Apparently, it was one of the songs planned for her current gospel album, Lifeline, but it didn't make it on the final cut (I don't have the album - yet - but I will). It's an old one, written by Albert E. Brumley, who wrote "I'll Fly Away" and "Turn Your Radio On."
Iris DeMent did the song on A Prairie Home Companion in November, 2002. You can listen to her sing the song here (click). She said she changed the song a bit.
-Joe Offer-

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Surely I Will, Lord
(Albert E. Brumley)
(copyright Stamps-Baxter, 1956)

If working and praying has any reward,
Then surely some morning, I'll meet my dear Lord;
With God as my pilot, I'll climb the high hill,
If anyone makes it, then surely I will.

CHORUS
Surely I will, Lord; surely I will.
If anyone makes it, precious Lord,
Then surely I will.
I am bound for Mount Zion,
Far away on the hill,
If anyone makes it, (all the way home) then surely I will.

With faith as my weapon and hope as my stay,
The battle's half over, I'm well on my way;
Though I may grow weary, I'm traveling still,
If anyone makes it, then surely I will.
CHORUS



from the songbook The Best of Albert E. Brumley, Albert E. Brumley & Sons, 1966

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Here's how I hear Iris:

If working and praying has any reward,
Then surely some morning, I'll meet my dear Lord;
With God as my pilot, and faith as my sword,
If anyone makes it, (all the way home) then surely I will.

CHORUS
Surely I will, Lord; surely I will.
If anyone makes it, (all the way home)
Then surely I will.
I am bound for Mount Zion,
Up on that hill,
And if anyone makes it, (all the way home) surely I will.

With faith as my weapon and hope as my stay,
The battle's half over, I'm well on my way;
Though I may grow weary, I'm traveling still,
If anyone makes it, (all the way home) then surely I will.
CHORUS