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 D. 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