Poem by Benjamin Franklin King

Gettin' Inter Shape

Reckon de angel what rolled 'way de stone,
   An' let de good shepherd escape,
Some day 'll fly down to dis prison ob sin
An lib'rate all dat's prepahed to come in;
   So I'se gittin' my soul inter shape,
Gittin' my soul inter shape, fo' yo' see
Hit's a mighty big stone dat's layin' on me,
   Mighty big stone! Yes, indeedy!

I hope de good angel will hab heaps o' strength,
   Or else bring old Samson along,
Kase the sin on my soul's mo' 'en fo'ty foot deep;
Yo' see, I bin one ob dese wanderin' sheep,
   An' hit's gwine ter need somebody strong,
Gwine ter need somebody strong, doan yo' see;
Hit's a mighty big weight dat's a restin' on me.
   Pow'ful big weight! Yes, indeedy!

I'se gittin' my soul inter shape fo' de day
   When Peter 'gins takin' 'is toll;
Ready ter lay down my burden an' rest,
Ready ter take up de cross ob de blest,
   Ready ter entah de fol'.
Gittin' my soul inter shape, doan yo' see;
Dar's a big load ob sin bin restin' on me,
   Big load ob sin! Yes, indeedy!
               Yes, indeedy! 

1. Say When, and Say It
2. Gedder in Yo' Grain
3. Jane Jones
4. Elopement
5. Evolution

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