Mississippi Fred MacDowell was playing it in the late 50's when Alan Lomax recorded him near Como, Miss. The song is built for call and response and I'd reckon it to be a much older field holler/work/gospel song. That's a good choice IanB. Oddly enough a woman came on the Tweedboard a little while ago looking for lyrics to Jesus on the Mainline to sing at a church function over in the Tampa area. Is it possible that the current craze for Gospel Rock is finally about to burn itself out and people are lookin' for songs with a little spiritual substance again? You might check to see if Lomax got any of the rights signed over to him, but I kinda think it's an old traditional song, or should be anyhow. Songs like that should be free for any who have ears to hear;~)
Tweed