I Uncle John

I'd like to tell a story if you folks wouldn't mind

But this one is true and it really happened in that little hometown of mine

There was a kind old colored feller who the folks was always fond

I don't even remember what his last name was we always just called him uncle john

Why i remember when i was little i used to go and see him nearly every day

Just to sit and hear his stories an' while some time away

Why he was in his height of glory when there was children around his feet

I've seen him laugh right out loud and say lord god your children show is sweet

I know in his big wide world there must be kind folks by the bushel

But i just believe that in this one old man lord put something special

Why i've seen times when folks was sick that the old man would walk for miles

Just to offer his assistance and try to help out a little while

He was always doin' things like that givin' when he couldn't afford

Funny thing was though he never did ask for no pay

Said he was always a workin' for the lord

Now uncle john have the sickness that he didn't know about

Folks didn't know whether to tell him or just let him live without

But then one day they decided they oughta let him know

So they asked doc boy if he go tell him and he said yeah he'd go

He found old john sittin' in his homemade rockin' chair

Thumbin' thru a worn out bible and readin' little scriptures here and there

The doc was scared and he was nervous cause he didn't know quite where to start

Don't you know his conscience fought him he come to break the old man's heart

But he gathered up his courage and he found the words to say

Uncle john the lord's comin' and he's gonna take you away

Why there must've been a choir of angels started singin' in that old man's ears

For a great big smile come on him and his eyes broke out in tears

And he said why doctor boy that's the most glorious news i ever heard

I've been livin' almost eighty five years now just to hear them blessed words

Now to know that he's finally callin' me to leave this earthly sod

Why doc i've just been livin' this old life so's i can get to meet my god