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OLD TIME RELIGION

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 (🔊 ).

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