Newman I. White recorded "Keep yo' hand on the gospel plow" in his American Negro Folk-Songs ((1928; reprint ed., [1964?], p. 115; no title is given; text only). It was "reported from Durham, N.C., 1925, MS. of N.I. White. From Creedmore, N.C., as sung by Ed Lloyd, who says there are several stanzas."

Keep yo' hand on the gospel plow,
Wouldn't take nothin' for my journey now, Holy Ghost.

Chorus
Keep yo' hand on the gospel plow,
Hold on, hold on,
Keep yo' hand on the gospel plow,
Hold on.

Didn't come here for to stay always,
Just come here to fill my place.

I got a mother in the promised land,
Never shall rest till I shake her hand.

Earlier, Cecil J. Sharp recorded a version, which was "sung by girls at Oneida School, Ky., Aug. 18, 1917." (English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians, 1932, vol. 2, p. 292; with music). Notes (by Karpeles?) say "This ... is a 'Holiness' hymn. It is evidently influenced by negro spiritulas." (p. 412)

HOLD ON

1. Some of these days about four o'clock,
This old world's going to reel and rock.
Keep your hand, keep your hand to the plough, hold on,
Hold on, hold on,
Keep your hand to the plough, hold on.

2. Some of these days, but I don't know when,
This old world's going to end.

3. Go away, satan, let me be,
You fooled my brother, but you can't fool me.

4. Satan wears a sinful shoe,
If you don't mind he'll slip it on you.

5. Some of these mornings at the rising sun,
O God's going to stop your lying tongue.

6. Hain't been to heaven, but I've been told
That the streets are pearl and the gates are gold.

7. When I get to heaven I'm going to sit down,
Wear a white robe and a starry crown.

8. I'm going to heaven and I hain't a-going to stop,
There hain't going to be no stumbling-block.

This song has been recorded by the Pilgrim Tavelers, Clara Ward Singers, Pete Seeger, Golden Gate Quartet, Mahalia Jackson, Sounds of Blackness. The title "Hold On" seems to be more common; another title is "The Gospel Plow" (by the Nashville Bluegrass Band).

~Masato