Working on a Building
First recording and first release by The Carter Family (May 8, 1934 / December 1934)
- Written by
- [Traditional]
- Publication date
- 1925
- Language
- English
- Comments
-
Negro spiritual, first printed in "The Negro and His Song" by Howard Odum and Guy Johnson. It is believed that the Carters learned it from their African-American "contacts" Leslie Riddle and Pauline Gray.
I’m a working on building
I’m a working on building
I’m a working on building
For my lord for my lord
It’s a holy ghost building
It’s a holy ghost building
It’s a holy ghost building
For my lord for my lord
If I was a liar I tell you what I would do
I’d quit my lying and work on a building too
If I was a drunkard I tell you what I would do
I’d quit my drinking and work on a building too
If I was a gambler I tell you what I would do
I’d quit my gambling and work on a building too
If I was a preacher I tell you what I would do
I would keep on preaching and work on a building too - Licensing
- Request a synchronization license