Brother James went out ridin', ridin' in that '29 Ford
Brother James went out ridin', ridin' in that '29 Ford
Well, that poor man was drinkin' bad whiskey, hoo-hoo-well, boys, he sure done losed his soul
Lord, I went out in Greenville, looked down in Brother James' face
(Beat it on out, sad words to say)
Lord, I went out in Greenville, looked down in Brother James' face
I says, "Sleep on, Brother James, I will meet you Resurrection Day."
Lord, Brother James died of a sudden, and he didn't have time to pray
(Lay it on out, boys)
Brother James died suddenly, didn't have time to pray
I said, "Goodbye, Brother James, hoo-hoo-well, I meet you Resurrection Day."
Now, he left Sister Lottie, tryin' to save her wicked soul
(Play it, boys)
Now, he left Sister Lottie, tryin' to save her wicked soul
She ain't gon' drink no more whiskey, hoo-hoo-well, boy won't ride in no '29 Ford
I went to the graveyard, and I peeped down in Brother James' face
Lord, I went to the graveyard and I, peeped down in Brother James' face
Says, "You know you died drunk, Brother James, and you didn't have time to pray."
Farewell, Brother James, hope we will meet someday
(Play it for poor Joe once)
Farewell, Brother James, hope we will meet someday
I will be at the feasting table, hoo-hoo-well, when they stick Brother James away