A Spiritual

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De 'cession's stahted on de gospel way,
  De Capting is a-drawin' nigh:
  Bettah stop a-foolin' an' a-try to pray;
  Lif' up yo' haid w'en de King go by!

  Oh, sinnah mou'nin' in de dusty road,
  Hyeah 's de minute fu' to dry yo' eye:
  Dey 's a moughty One a-comin' fu' to baih yo' load;
  Lif' up yo' haid w'en de King go by!

  Oh, widder weepin' by yo' husban's grave,
  Hit 's bettah fu' to sing den sigh:
  Hyeah come de Mastah wid de powah to save;
  Lif' up yo' haid w'en de King go by!

  Oh, orphans a-weepin' lak de widder do,
  An' I wish you 'd tell me why:
  De Mastah is a mammy an' a pappy too;
  Lif' up yo' haid w'en de King go by!

  Oh, Moses sot de sarpint in de wildahness
  W'en de chillun had commenced to die:
  Some 'efused to look, but hit cuohed de res';
  Lif' up yo' haid w'en de King go by!

  Bow down, bow 'way down, Bow down,
  But lif' up yo' haid w'en de King go by!

© Paul Laurence Dunbar