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From “Two Negro Spirituals”
I HAD a dream last night, a wonderful dream. | |
| I saw an angel riding in a chariot— | |
| Oh, my honey, it was a lovely chariot, | |
| Shining like the sun when noon is on the earth. | |
| I saw his wings spreading from moon to earth; | 5 |
| I saw a crown of stars upon his forehead; | |
| I saw his robes agleaming like his chariot. | |
| I bowed my head and let the angel pass, | |
| Because no man can look on Glory’s work; | |
| I bowed my head and trembled in my limbs, | 10 |
| Because I stood on ground of holiness. | |
| I heard the angel in the chariot singing: | |
| “Hallelujah early in the morning! | |
| I know my Redeemer liveth— | |
| How is it with your soul?” | 15 |
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| I stood on ground of holiness and bowed; | |
| The River Jordan flowed past my feet | |
| As the angel soothed my soul with song, | |
| A song of wonderful sweetness. | |
| I stooped and washed my soul in Jordan’s stream | 20 |
| Ere my Redeemer came to take me home; | |
| I stooped and washed my soul in waters pure | |
| As the breathing of a new-born child | |
| Lying on a mammy’s breast at night. | |
| I looked and saw the angel descending | 25 |
| And a crown of stars was in his hand: | |
| “Be ye not amazed, good friend,” he said, | |
| “I bring a diadem of righteousness, | |
| A covenant from the Lord of life, | |
| That in the morning you will see | 30 |
| Eternal streets of gold and pearl aglow | |
| And be with me in blessèd Paradise.” | |
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| The vision faded. I awoke and heard | |
| A mocking-bird upon my window-sill. | |
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