Stedman and Hutchinson, comps. A Library of American Literature:
An Anthology in Eleven Volumes. 1891.
Vols. IX–XI: Literature of the Republic, Part IV., 1861–1889
The Old Ship of Zion
By John Alfred Macon (b. 1851)O
De wind is steady,
An’ de folks keep a-crowdin’ to de gospel ship;
’Tis de best time to ride
On de Jordan tide—
Dar’s no use o’ waitin’ for the ’scursion trip!
An’ soon she’ll be gwine,
For yonder come de deck-hands to push her off de bank;
She’s a-puffin’! she’s a-puffin’!
An’ she nebber waits for nuffin’—
Better git abode, sinners, ’fo’ dey pull in de plank!