Steal away steal away steal away to Jesus steal away steal away home
I ain't got long to stay here
I was walkin' into Savannah passed the church decayed and dim
And there's slowly through the window came a plaintive funeral hymn
A sympathy awakened and a wonder quickly grew
Till I found myself environed in a little negro pew
Down front sat a young couple nearly wild
On the altar was a coffin and in the coffin was a child
Row of sad old negro preacher at a little wooden desk
With a manner grandly offered with the countless grotesque
And he said now don't you be weepin' for this pretty bitty clay
For the little boy who lived there he's done gone and run away
And he's doin' very finly and he appreaciated your love
But he's sure enough father want him in the large house up above
Now he didn't give you that baby not by a hundred thousand miles
He just think you need some sunshine he lend him for awhile
And he let you love and keep till your hearts were bigger grown
And those silver tears you've shed they're just interest on the lawn
So my poor dejected mourners let your hearts with Jesus rest
And don't go criticize no one that knows the best
He gave us many comforts and he has the right to take away
To the Lord be praised in glory now and forever let us pray
My Lord calls me he calls me by the thunder the trumpets sound within my soul
I ain't got long to stay here I'm gonna steal away home