Lyr. Add: GWINE TO CLIMB DE GOLDEN STAIRS
Words and Music, Charles A. Williams, 1880

Solo
Oh! my dear sister Lu, put away my little shoes,
Chorus
I gwine to climb de golden stairs.
Solo
Put a chunk ob hair grease in my ole valise,
Chorus
I gwine to start up so early in de morn!
Solo
Gabriel gwine to blow de horn, jes' as sure as you are born,
Chorus
I gwine to climb de golden stairs!
Solo
I gwine to git in de gate an' 'fore it gits too late
Chorus
I gwine to start up so early in de morn!

Chorus (sop., alto, ten., bass.)
Oh! I gwine to heah sweet music ringin',
Den I'll curl my silken hair
I gwine to see black angels singin',
When I climb de golden stairs!

2
Solo
Gib my ole white beaver to my dear brudder Weaver
Chorus
I gwine to climb de golden stairs.
Solo
Hang my ole banjo on de kitchen door,
Chorus
I gwine to start up so early in de morn!
Solo
Case I don't want to grumble, for my foot might stumble,
Chorus
I gwine to climb de golden stairs!
Solo
I gwine to feel mighty proud, when I pass free de clouds,
Chorus
I gwine to start up so early in de morn!

Chorus
Oh! I gwine to hear sweet music ringin';
Den I'll curl my silken hair
I gwine to see black angels singin',
When I climb de golden stairs!

3.
Solo
Gwine take a 'lectric lamp, for to light me to de camp,
Chorus
I gwine to climb de golden stairs,
Solo
Tell my brudders I'm a-gwine by de new airline,
Chorus
I gwine to start up so early in de morn!
Solo
Gwine to jine de angel ban' in dat happy lan'
Chorus
I gwine to climb de golden stairs!
Solo
I gwine to wear my silken gown an' my golden crown,
Chorus
I gwine to start up so early in de morn!

Chorus
Oh! I gwine to heah sweet music ringin',
Den I'll curl my silken hair
I gwine to see black angels singin',
When I climb de golden stairs!

Dedicated to the peerless comedian, Geo. Wilson, the greatest of all end songs.
As sung by Geo. Wilson and Charley Yale.
Geo. D. Newhall & Co., Publishers, Cinncinnati (also Ditson, NY, etc.), 1880.

Perhaps inspired by a spiritual, but not found. Also a possibility that the painting, 'The Golden Stairs,' by Burne-Jones, which was attracting much attention at this time, might have been known to the composers (although it was about stairs to wisdom).

This end song preceded "Climbing Up the Golden Stairs," by F. Heiser, pub. 1884, and the 'correct edition,' published by Willis and Woodward, also 1884.
.