From Hampton and Its Students by Mary Frances Armstrong, Helen Wilhelmina Ludlow, Thomas P. Fenner (New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1874), page 210:


HEAR DE LAMBS A-CRYIN'.

CHORUS: You hear de lambs a-cryin',
Hear de lambs a-cryin',
Hear de lambs a-cryin',
Oh, shepherd, feed-a my sheep.

1. Our Saviour spoke dese words so sweet:
"Oh shepherd, feed-a my sheep."
Said, "Peter, if ye love me, feed my sheep."
Oh, shepherd, feed-a my sheep.
Oh, Lord, I love Thee, Thou dost know.
Oh, shepherd, feed-a my sheep.
Oh, give me grace to love Thee mo'.
Oh, shepherd, feed-a my sheep.

2. I don' know what you want to stay here for. Oh, shepherd, &c.,
For dis vain world's no friend to grace. Oh, shepherd, &c.,
If I only had wings like Noah's dove, Oh, shepherd, &c.,
I'd fly away to de heavens above. Oh, shepherd, &c.,

3. When I am in an agony, Oh, shepherd, &c.,
When you see me, pity me, Oh, shepherd, &c.,
For I am a pilgrim travelin' on, Oh, shepherd, &c.,
De lonesome road where Jesus gone. Oh, shepherd, &c.,

4. Oh, see my Jesus hanging high. Oh, shepherd. &c.,
He looked so pale an' bled so free. Oh, shepherd. &c.,
Oh, don't you think it was a shame. Oh, shepherd, &c.,
He hung three hours in dreadful pain. Oh, shepherd. &c.,