Steal away, steal away
Steal away to Jesus
Steal away, steal away
Home I ain't got long to stay here.

I was walkin' in Savanah
Past a church decayed and dimmed
When there slowly through the window
Came a plaintive funeral hymn.

And a sympathy awakened
And a wonder quickly grew
'Til I found myself enstrewed
In a little negro pew.

Our in front a young couple sat
In sorrow near the wild
On the altar was a coffin
In the coffin was a child.

Rose a sad old negro preacher
At a wooden desk
With a manly grandly offer
And of countless protest.
And he said:

Now don't you be a-weepin'
For this pretty little play
For a little boy who lived there
Why he had up and ran away.

But he's doing very fine
And he appreciates your love
But he's sure not farther wanted
In that large house up above.

Now, He didn't give you that baby
No, not by a hundred thousand miles
He just thought you needed some sunshine
And he lended him to ya for awhile.

And He let ya love and keep him
'Til your hearts were big and grown
And these silver tears that your sheddin'
Why they're just interest on the loan.

So, my poor dejected mourners
Let your hearts with Jesus rest
And don't go criticisin'
The one that knows the best.

He gives us many comforts
And He has the right to take away
To the Lord be praised in glory
Now and ever let us pray.

My Lord calls me
He calls me by the thunder
The trumpet sounds within my soul
I ain't got long to stay here...