The way I learned "Freedom Train" in choir was

This old freedom train is such a long time in a comin
There ain't no one can't afford it
So you'd better climb aboard it
Gimme that fre-edom
Gimme that fre-edom
Gimme that freedom freedom freedom
CH-CH (sounds like a train)

Every syllable is spoken directly on the beat until you get to the fre-dom part.