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Oh, Be Ready When the Train Comes In/Be Ready When the Train Comes In
See Also: Be Ready When He Comes
Tradtional Old-Time, Gospel and bluegrass gospel;
ARTIST: Dorothy Scarborough- On the Trail of Negro Folksongs (1925)
CATEGORY: Traditional and Public Domain Bluegrass Gospel;
DATE: probably 1800s; Recorded by Skip James in 1931.
RECORDING INFO: Be Ready When The Comes In
Dorothy Scarborough- On the Trail of Negro Folksongs (1925)
OTHER NAMES:
SOURCES: Meade; Folk Index
NOTES: "Be Ready When The Comes In" is a traditional African-American spiritual
found in Dorothy Scarborough's "On the Trail of Negro Folksongs" (1925). The song is similar in sentiment to "Dis Train" or "This train Is bound for Glory."
The end tag is similar to "Be Ready When He Comes Again." Here's one early version of that similar song.
BE READY WHEN HE COMES AGAIN- circa 1922 from "Levi Branham, 1852- My Life and Travels" published 1929
Be ready when He comes again,
Be ready when He comes again;
Be ready when He comes again--
He is coming again so soon.
Don't let Him catch you with your work undone,
Don't let Him catch you with your work undone,
Don't let Him catch you with your work undone,
He is coming again so soon.
Be praying when He comes again,
Be praying when He comes again,
Be praying when He comes again,
He is coming again so soon.
Be watching when He comes again,
Be watching when He comes again,
Be watching when He comes again,
He is coming again so soon.
Oh Lord, when He comes again,
Oh Lord, when He comes again,
Oh Lord, when He comes again,
He is coming again so soon.
Don't let Him catch you on the ballroom floor,
Don't let Him catch you on the ballroom floor,
Don't let Him catch you on the ballroom floor,
He is coming again so soon.
Don't let Him catch you with a lying tongue,
Don't let Him catch you with a lying tongue,
Don't let Him catch you with a lying tongue,
He is coming again so soon."
Oh Lord when He comes again,
Oh Lord when He comes again,
Oh Lord when He comes again,
He is coming again so soon.
BE READY WHEN THE TRAIN COMES IN- Dorothy Scarborough- On the Trail of Negro Folksongs (1925)
A Holy Roller song sent me from Texas is specific as to the inclusion and exclusion of passengers on this important train. The list is rather astonishing, debarring as it does not only harlots and idolators, but "loafers." "No loafing allowed" around the celestial-station! Nor can pipe-smokers come on — though, as nothing is said of cigarettes and cigars, we may suppose that they are not regarded as offensive. But snuff-bottles and beer-cans must be thrown away as being uncleanly for this train. And all is seriousness here, for no "joker" is permitted aboard. The Holy Roller train will perhaps not be overcrowded, one fancies.
Oh, Be Ready When the Train Comes In- Spiritual 1925
We are soldiers in this blessed war,
For Jesus we are marching on, with a shout and song.
Though the Devil tries to bother and deceive us,
Oh, be ready when the train comes in.
CHORUS: We are sweeping on to claim the blessed promise,
Of that happy home, never more to roam,
Where the sunlight on the hills of endless glory,
Oh, be ready when the train comes in.
We go into the highways and hedges;
We will sing and pray every night and day
Till poor sinners leave their sins to follow Jesus;
Soon He shall come to catch away his jewels.
Oh, be ready when the train comes in.
We see the land of Beulah lies so plain before us,
From that happy home never more to roam.
We have the victory through the precious blood of Jesus.
Oh, be ready when the train comes in.
No harlot nor idolater, neither loafer,
Will be counted in on this holy train;
Nor pipe-smoker, neither joker are permitted
On this great clean train.
Lay aside your snuff-bottles and beer-cans,
Lifting holy hands to that promised land,
Preaching everywhere the everlasting gospel
To every nation and to every man.
Have both soul and body sanctified and holy,
Then you live this life from sin and strife,
Though ten thousand devils say you can't live holy.
Oh, be ready when the train comes in.
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