Lyrics
[Spoken Verse]
Nicodemus, the slave was of abberant birth,
And was bought for a bagful of gold;
He was reckon'd as part of the salt of the earth,
But he died years ago, very old.
'Twas his last sad request as we laid him away
In the trunk of an old hollow tree;
"Wake me up!" was his charge, "at the first break of day --
Wake me up for the great Jubilee!"
[Chorus]
Fellas don't you see the light
The day of liberty's coming, coming
Almost gone, the gloomy night
The day of liberty's coming
Just you look and see that light
The day of liberty's coming, coming
Almost gone, the gloomy night
The day of liberty's coming
[Spoken Verse]
He was a prophet -- at least was as wise --
For he told of the battles to come;
And he trembled with dread when he roll'd up his eyes
And we heeded the shake of his thumb
Though he clothed us with fear, yet the garments he wore
Were in patches at elbow and knee;
And he still wears the suit that he used to of yore
As he sleeps in the old hollow tree
His great heart with kindness was filled to the brim --
He obeyed who was born to command;
But he long'd for the morning which then was so dim --
For the morning which now is at hand
[Chorus][Sung]
Fellas don't you see the light
The day of liberty's coming, coming
Almost gone, the gloomy night
The day of liberty's coming
Just you look and see that light
The day of liberty's coming, coming
Almost gone, the gloomy night
The day of liberty's coming
[Spoken Verse]
'Twas a long weary night -- we were almost in fear
That the future was more than he knew;
'Twas a long weary night -- but the morning is near
And the words of our prophet are true
There are signs in the sky that the darkness is gone --
There are tokens in endless array;
For when the storm which has seemingly banished the dawn
Only hastens the advent of day
[Chorus][Sung]
Fellas don't you see the light
The day of liberty's coming, coming
Almost gone, the gloomy night
The day of liberty's coming
Just you look and see that light
The day of liberty's coming, coming
Almost gone, the gloomy night
The day of liberty's coming
