Sinner Man
(Ralph Stanley/Zap Pub. Inc.)
from the CD How Can I Keep From Singing

Sinner man, so discouraged
while travelling through this land, this land.
Oh, Lord, this land.

Come, let us have a little talk with Jesus
just to hear what He has to say.

(Chorus:)
My God Almighty spoke and He said,
"Go! And I'll go with you.
Open your mouth and I will speak for you."
For the Lord, tell me what to say,
they won't believe on me.

I would not be a sinner,
tell you the reason why:
'Fraid the Lord might call me
and I wouldn't be ready to die.

(Chorus)

Some say give me silver.
Some say give me gold.
I say, "Give me Jesus!
For He's precious to my soul."

(Chorus)

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I Am A Pilgrim
(Merle Travis/Duchess Music)
from the CD How Can I Keep From Singing

(Chorus:)
I am a pilgrim and a stranger
travelling through this wearisome land.
I've got a home in that yonder city, Good Lord,
and it's not, (oh no it's not) not made by hand.

I've got a mother, sister, and a brother
who have gone this way before.
I am determined to go and see them, Good Lord,
over on that other shore.

(Chorus)

I'm going down to the river of Jordan,
just to bathe my weary soul.
If I touch but the hem of his garment, Good Lord,
I believe it would make me whole.

(Chorus)

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I'm On My Way (The Story of Job)
– Traditional
from the CD How Can I Keep From Singing

I'm on my way, walkin' to the kingdom land.
I'm on my way, walkin' to the kingdom land.
And if you don't go, I'll journey on.
I'm on my way, I'm on my way.

Now, Job, he was the richest of men that lived in the land of Nod.
He was the only man for miles around that kept the commandments of God.
Well, the devil he got jealous of Job and he came to God one day.
He said, "Move your hand from around the man and he'll curse you to your face."

(Chorus:)
There ain't nothin' you can do
that will turn him around.
There ain't nothin' you can do
that will turn him around.
'Cause he done signed up, done made up his mind.
He's on his way, he's on his way.

Well the devil laid his fingers on Job and Job felt downright weak.
And then the devil laid affliction sure with sores from his head to his feet.
Well all Job's friends began to beat with him, it was a number from one to five.
They said, "Oh, you're sick, and you won't get well, you'd better curse your God and die."

(Chorus)

And now Job's wife came-a-truckin' to him with the devil right in her eye.
She said, "Oh, you're sick, and you won't get well, you better curse your God and die."
Now, Job, he looked straight at the woman and he looked up in the sky.
He said, "Woman, you sound like a foolish one, well you sure don't sound like a wife!"

(Chorus)

Now Job's servant came-a-runnin' to him and he said, ³Job, I've got somethin' to say."
He said, "The fire came from heaven last night and carried your cattle away."
Well, Job, he looked right straight at the man, he said "I don't have anything to say.
'Cause it's the Lord God in Heaven what giveth and the Lord God taketh away!"

(Chorus)

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Cry From The Cross
(C. McGregor/Zap Pub Inc.)
from the CD How Can I Keep From Singing

One morning in Jerusalem, about the break of dawn,
a great trial was in session,
they tried our Blessed Lord.
They scorned Him and they mocked Him,
they made Him carry a cross.
On top of Calvary mountain they crucified our Lord.

(Chorus:)

Oh, the cry (Oh, He cried) from the cross,
"Forgive them, Blessed Father!"
He died upon the cross.
Oh, He cried (Jesus cried) from the cross.
The Son of God was dying to save the world from loss.

(Chorus)

Saint Peter, he denied Him at the awful trial that night.
He said he never knew Him - it was an awful sight.
He looked upon Saint Peter with eyes of perfect love.
Saint Peter's heart was broken, he prayed to God above.

(Chorus)

Crying, "Father, it is finished!" and He bowed His head and died.
The world was left in darkness, the graves were open wide.
An earthquake shook Jerusalem, the dead walked into town.
The multitude was frightened, God's wrath came pouring down.

(Chorus)

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Jesus Gave Me Water
(Campbell/Screen Gems-EMI Music Inc.)
from the CD How Can I Keep From Singing

Oh, Jesus gave me water,
Jesus gave me water,
Jesus gave me water,
Jesus gave me water,
Oh, let His praises swell.
Jesus gave me water,
Jesus gave me water,
Jesus gave me water,
and it was not in the well.

There was a woman from Samaria
came to the well to get some water.
There she met a stranger who did a story tell.
That woman dropped her pitcher,
her drinking was made richer
from the water He gave her
and it was not in the well.

Oh, He gave her water,
Jesus gave her water,
Jesus gave her water,
Oh, let His praises swell!
Jesus gave her water,
He gave that woman water.
Livin', lovin', lastin' water
and it was not in the well.

On that woman He took pity,
she ran back to the city
crying, "Glory, Hallelujah!"
and did His wonders tell.
She left my Savior singing,
she came back to Him bringing
the time she had her water, Lord,
and it was not in the well.

Yes, He gave her water,
Jesus gave her water,
Yes, Jesus gave her water,
Oh, let His praises swell!
Jesus gave that woman water,
He gave her that livin', lovin', lastin' water
wa-a-a-ter
and it was not in the well.

Lord, that woman left Him shoutin',
there was no room for doubtin'
that she had made her Savior
who did His wonders tell.
Every time she'd doubt Him,
she'd start to think about Him -
the man who gave her water, Lord,
and it was not in the well.

Yes, Jesus gave her water,
Jesus gave her water,
Jesus gave her water,
Oh, let His praises swell.
I tell you He gave that woman water,
He gave her that lovin', lastin' water
water, water, water, water, water,
and it was not in the well.

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Peace In The Valley
(Dorsey/Hill & Range Songs)
from the CD How Can I Keep From Singing

Well, I'm tired and I'm weary, but I must roll along
'til the Lord comes to call me away.
Where the morning is bright, and the Lamb is the light,
and the night is as fair as the day.

(Chorus:)
There will be peace in the valley for me, some day.
There will be peace in the valley for me, Oh, Lord, I pray!
There will be no sorrow, no sadness, no trouble I see.
There will be peace in the valley for me.

(Chorus)

Well, the bear will be gentle and the wolf will be tame,
and the lion shall lay down by the lamb.
And the beasts of the wild will be led by a child,
and I'll be changed from this creature, Lord, I am.

There will be peace in the valley for me, some day.
There will be peace in the valley for me, Oh, Lord, I pray!
There will be no sorrow, no sadness, no trouble I see.
There will be peace in the valley for me, someday..
There will be peace in the valley for me, someday.

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Amazing Grace
(John Newton)
from the CD How Can I Keep From Singing

Instrumental version

...the truth is, we recorded only the instrumental bagpipe version of "Amazing Grace" but we have sung it at so many Birch Lake Revivals that folks ask for the lyrics. So, here they are!

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
and grace my fears relieved.
How precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come.
'Twas grace that brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.

When we've been there ten thousand years,
bright shining as the sun,
we've no less days to sing God's praise
than when we first begun.

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Sowing on the Mountain
– Traditional
from the CD How Can I Keep From Singing

(Chorus):
Sowing on the mountain, reaping in the valley.
Sowing on the mountain, reaping in the valley.
Sowing on the mountain, reaping in the valley.
You're gonna reap just what you sow.

God gave Noah the rainbow sign.
God gave Noah the rainbow sign.
God gave Noah the rainbow sign.
Said no more water, but the fire next time.

(Chorus)

Where you gonna run to when the world's on fire?
Where you gonna run to when the world's on fire?
Where you gonna run to when the world's on fire?
You're gonna reap just what you sow.

(Chorus)

When this world is all on fire,
When this world is all on fire,
When this world is all on fire,
Let thy bosom be my pillow.

(Chorus)

(Chorus)

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Pass Me Not
(Lyrics: Fanny J. Crosby, Music: W. H. Doane; P.D.)
from the CD How Can I Keep From Singing

Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
do not pass me by.

(Chorus:)
Savior, Savior, hear my humble cry;
while on others Thou art calling,
do not pass me by.

Let me at the throne of mercy
heal my unbelief.
Kneeling there in deep contrition,
find my sweet relief.

(Chorus)

(Chorus)

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Little Moses
– Traditional
from the CD How Can I Keep From Singing

Away by the river so clear
the ladies were winding their way
when Pharoah's little daughter stepped down to the water
to bathe in the cool of the day.

Before it was dark, she looked in the ark
and found a sweet infant was there.
Before it was dark, she opened the ark
and found a sweet infant was there.

And away by the waters so blue, so blue,
the infant was lonely and sad.
She took him in pity and thought him so pretty,
then made little Moses so glad.

She called him her own, her beautiful son,
and sent for a nurse that was near.
She called him her own, her beautiful son,
and sent for a nurse that was near.

And away by the waters so clear, so clear,
they carried that beautiful child.
To his own tender mother, sister and brother
little Moses looked happy and smiled.

His mother, so good, done all that she could
to raise him and teach him with care.
His mother, so good, done all that she could
to raise him and teach him with care.

Away by the sea that was red, so red,
little Moses, the servant of God.
While in Him confided, the sea was divided,
as upward he lifted his rod.

The Jews safely crossed while Pharoah's host
was drownded in the waters and lost.
The Jews safely crossed while Pharoah's host
was drownded in the waters and lost.

And away up on a mountain so high,
the last one that he ever did see.
With Israel victorious, his hope was most glorious,
he'd soon over Jordan be free.

When his spirit did cease, he departed in peace
and rested in the heavens above.
When his spirit did cease, he departed in peace
and rested in the heavens above.

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Walking in Jerusalem

– Traditional
from the CD How Can I Keep From Singing

John said the city was just foursquare.
Walking in Jerusalem, just like John.
And he declared that he'd meet me there.
Walking in Jerusalem, just like John.

(Chorus:)
I want to be ready, I want to be ready,
I want to be ready
to walk in Jerusalem just like John

When Peter was preaching at the Pentecost,
Walking in Jerusalem, just like John.
He was endowed with the Holy Ghost.
Walking in Jerusalem, just like John.

(Chorus)

I'm sometimes up and I'm sometimes down.
Walking in Jerusalem, just like John.
Still my soul is heavenly bound.
Walking in Jerusalem, just like John.

(Chorus)

Oh John, Oh John, what do you say?
Walking in Jerusalem, just like John.
I'll be there at the coming day!
Walking in Jerusalem, just like John.

(Chorus)

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Wings Of A Dove
(Bob Ferguson/Husky Music)
from the CD How Can I Keep From Singing

(Chorus:)
On the wings of a snow-white dove
He sends His pure, sweet love.
A sign from above on the wings of a dove.

When troubles surround us, when evils come,
the body grows weak, the spirit grows numb.
When these things beset us, He doesn't forget us,
He sends down His love on the wings of a dove.

(Chorus:)

When Noah had drifted on the flood many days,
he searched for land in various ways.
Troubles, he had some, but wasn't forgotten,
He sent him His love on the wings of a dove.

(Chorus:)
A sign from above on the wings of a dove.

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How Can I Keep From Singing
(Lyrics: Anne Warner (1864), (v.3) Doris Plenn, Music: Rev. R. Lowry/Sanga Music, Inc.)
from the CD How Can I Keep From Singing

My life flows on in endless song
above Earth's lamentation.
I hear the real, though far-off hymn
that hails a new creation.
Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear that music ringing.
It sounds an echo in my soul,
how can I keep from singing?

What though the tempest loudly roars,
I know the truth, it liveth.
What though the darkness 'round me close
songs in the night it giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that rock I'm clinging.
Since love is Lord of Heaven and Earth,
how can I keep from singing?

When tyrants tremble, sick with fear
and hear their death knells ringing,
when friends rejoice both far and near,
how can I keep from singing?
In prison cell and dungeon vile,
our thoughts to them are winging.
When friends by shame are undefiled,
how can I keep from singing?

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Rivers Of Babylon
(B. Dow, T. Mcaughton, G. Reyan, F. Farian/Ackee Music Inc.; Al Gallico Music; Gema)
from the CD How Can I Keep From Singing

(1:)
By the rivers of Babylon, where he sat down,
and there he wept when he remembered Zion.
Oh, the wicked carry us away captivity,
require from us a song,
How can we sing King Alpha's song in a strange land?

(1)

(2:)
So, let the words of our mouth
and the meditations of our heart
be acceptable in Thy sight.
Over I

(1)

(2)

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