I sing lead on this song with a black male gospel chorus. the words basically come from a recording by the Jackson Southernaires. Leadbelly also recorded a version of this, Susan, if you want to tie together blues and gospel..

     I was standing on the banks of the river
     Looking out over life's troubled seas
     When I saw the old ship that was sailing
     Is that the old Ship of Zion I see?
  
     Her hull was bent and battered
     From the storms of life I could see
     Waves were rough, but the old ship was steady
     Is that the old Ship of Zion I see?
  
     At the stern of the ship stood the Captain
     I could hear him when he called out my name
     Get on board the old Ship of Zion
     It will never pass this way again
  
     As I step on board, I'll be leaving   
     All my troubles and heartaches behind
     I'll be safe with Jesus, the Captain
     Sailing out on the old Ship of Zion
     Sailing out on the old Ship of Zion
  

The recording by the Jackson Southernaires is one of the most beautiful gospel recordings I have ever heard.

Jerry Rasmussen