521. The Gospel Pool
This song, from the same informant, appears in White ANFS 111-12, with the following note: "This song parallels the custom I have seen practised in white revival meetings of the telling of religious 'experiences' by recent converts, to encourage waverers. Lines 4, 5, and 8 are probably based on the pool of Bethesda, John V, 3, 4 (the moving of the water) and numerous other Biblical passages less directly applicable. Cf. Zion Songster, second edition, 1827, p. 141, 'The Gospel Pool.' " The note also points out the occurrence of 1. 8 or its equivalent in other spirituals.
A. No title. From MS of W. A. Ellison, Jr., Durham, N. C. December 1919, with note by contributor: "Heard from an old Negro man."
'brother, how did you feel dat day
When yo' los' yo' guilt and burden?'
'I felt like de Lord God done freed my soul
An' de holy water moved on,
brethren, de holy water moved on.*
I run all about, brethren, I run all about,
I felt brand new. brethren, I felt brand new.
My hands lonked new. brethren, day looked new;
And de green trees bowed, brethren,
De green trees bowed.'
[ * This line does not appear in the White ANFS version, but does appear in the Ellison MS.
B. No title. From MS of R. B. Edwards, December 4, 1919. White ANFS III notes this as "Reported from Durham, N. C," and points out differences between it and A, but does not print it.
'Brother, how did you feel that day,
When you lost your guilt and burden?'
'I felt like the Lord God freed my soul.
And the healing waters move.
I run all about, brethern, I run all about.
I felt brand new. brethern, I felt brand new.
i\Iy hands looked new, brethern, my hand looked new.'
'How did you feel that day,
When you lost your guilt and burden?'
'I felt brand new that day, brethern,
I felt brand new.
Well, the green trees bowed that day,
Brethern, the green trees bowed.'