After an Email exchange, Stewie and I finally came up with this version, which is better than we thought possible when we began. The part in brackets in the second stanza is almost certainly not right, but as Stewie says, "I reckon the mumble at the second line of the second stanza will have to be anybody's guess - mine is not right, but it makes contextual sense." I agree completely. For those who have heard the song, I am sure you will agree that Phillips really does mumble there. I doubt anyone on this earth can tell what he is saying. And if you haven't heard it, you're missing one of the most powerful performers ever recorded. Put Washington Phillips in the Digitrad and Forum Search box for additional testimonials.

Several places where we were stymied turned out to be solved by researching the Bible story which the song is based upon. If you wish to read for yourself, check Acts 16, roughly verses 22-32. One example: "And he called for lights . . ." To clarify one other point: 'Then heaven it got all stirred up' refers to the earthquake which threw open all the doors of the jail. The verses just prior and just after relate the reason they were thrown in jail, and the outcome of the situation.

In a couple of other places, we may be a bit off, but I would say any errors would be quite minor. For instance, we were not totally satisfied with the phrase 'I'm sweeping up this old templed body' but neither of us could get anything else out of it.

As far as authorship is concerned, I would credit Washington Phillips until someone shows me otherwise.

PAUL AND SILAS IN JAIL

We must look, we must look, for Jesus to care for us
'Cos you ought to know, in Him, He is our only trust
Whatever we desire, whenever we do pray
We must have the faith and belief that He will do just what He says

Old Paul and Silas in this Philippian jail they was both bound
'Cos [they did believe ] in Jesus they found Him close around
When the dark hours of midnight, when everything was still
Old Paul he whispered to Silas, said, 'Let us do Our Master's will'

Old Silas he began singing, old Paul he entered in prayer
Then heaven it got all stirred up and an angel met them there
And the jail doors all flew open and the jailer thought they was all gone
And he called for his sword for to kill hisself, but Paul said, 'Do thou self no harm'

He sprung out in this floor and in a light he wanted them to gaze
He replied to Paul and Silas, 'What shall I do to be saved'
By Paul being one of Christ's children then, seeing the jailer woke up in a fright
And he said that you must believe in my saviour Jesus Christ

I'm going home, going home, going home on the morning train
If I happen to make it too late, oh sure, Lord, it won't be my aim
I'm sweeping up this old templed body, oh, in sincere prayer
Oh the place they call heaven, I certainly want to go there