Text
I’m a po’ lil’ orphan in dis worl’,
(answer): In the worl’,
I’m a poor lil’ orphan in dis worl’,
(answer): In the worl’,
I’m a po’ lil’ orphan in dis worl’,
Good Lawd, I cannot stay heah by mahse’f.
My mothuh broke de ice an’ gone,
(distantly): Ice an’ gone,
Mah mothuh broke de ice an’ gone,
(distantly): Ice an’ gone,
Mah mothuh broke de ice an’ gone,
Good Lawd, I cannot stay heah by mahse’f.
I promis’d her I’d follow on
(distantly): Follow on,
I promis’d her I’d follow on,
(distantly): Follow on,
I promis’d her I’d follow on.
Good Lawd, I cannot stay heah by mahse’f.
(distantly): by mahse’f.
Source: Jessye, Eva. My Spirituals. New York: Robbins-Engel, 1927.