Scripture Verse

Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. Hebrews 11:1–2

Introduction

Words & Mu­sic: Adapt­ed from an Af­ri­can-Am­eri­can spi­ri­tu­al by Charles D. Till­man, who first heard it at an 1889 camp meet­ing in Lex­ing­ton, South Ca­ro­li­na (🔊 pdf nwc).

This song was sung in the 1941 Aca­de­my Award win­ning mo­vie Ser­geant York, and in In­her­it the Wind, which was no­mi­nat­ed for four Aca­de­my Awards in 1960.

portrait
Charles Tillman (1861–1943)

Lyrics

Refrain

’Tis the old time re­li­gion,
[or Give me that old time re­li­gion]
’Tis the old time re­li­gion,
’Tis the old time re­li­gion,
And it’s good enough for me.

It was good for our mo­thers.
It was good for our mo­thers.
It was good for our mo­thers.
And it’s good enough for me.

Refrain

Makes me love ev­ery­bo­dy.
Makes me love ev­ery­bo­dy.
Makes me love ev­ery­bo­dy.
And it’s good enough for me.

Refrain

It has saved our fa­thers.
It has saved our fa­thers.
It has saved our fa­thers.
And it’s good enough for me.

Refrain

It will do when I am dy­ing.
It will do when I am dy­ing.
It will do when I am dy­ing.
And it’s good enough for me.

Refrain

It will take us all to Hea­ven.
It will take us all to Hea­ven.
It will take us all to Hea­ven.
And it’s good enough for me.

Refrain