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Lyrics to "Nicodemus" (Burl Ives)

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Walt & Cheryl Scrivens

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Oct 7, 1997, 3:00:00 AM10/7/97
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I'm trying to find the lyrics to a song called "Nicodemus (the slave?)
recorded by Burl Ives in the 1940s. I think I remember the tune fairly
well, but that would help too.

As I recall, it begins
Nicodemus the slave was of African birth
And was bought for a bag full of gold.]

Thanks to anyone who can help
Walt


Baumbaum

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Oct 9, 1997, 3:00:00 AM10/9/97
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Subject: Lyrics to "Nicodemus" (Burl Ives)
From: "Walt & Cheryl Scrivens" <wa...@gate.net>
Date: Tue, Oct 7, 1997 19:37 EDT
Message-id: <01bcd382$2b7aab40$1705e3c7@default>

I'm trying to find the lyrics to a song called "Nicodemus (the slave?)
recorded by Burl Ives in the 1940s. I think I remember the tune fairly
well, but that would help too.

As I recall, it begins
Nicodemus the slave was of African birth
And was bought for a bag full of gold.]


My recollection of a bit more:

He was reckoned as part of the salt of the earth
And he died long ago, very old.

But his great hear with kindness was filled to the brim
He obeyed who was born to command

And he longed for the morning which then seemed so dim
'tis the morning that now is at hand

There's a great time comin' and it's not far off,
been a long, long long time away

So go tell Liza to come along home,
and meet us by the the gum tree, down in the swamp
for to wake Nicodemus today.

<Sorry for the gaps - it's been a long, long time!! >


Matt Baum - Expert in the Obsolete!

Abby Sale

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Oct 10, 1997, 3:00:00 AM10/10/97
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On 7 Oct 1997 23:37:47 GMT, "Walt & Cheryl Scrivens" <wa...@gate.net>
wrote:

>I'm trying to find the lyrics to a song called "Nicodemus (the slave?)
>recorded by Burl Ives in the 1940s. I think I remember the tune fairly
>well, but that would help too.
>

See "WAKE NICODEMUS" (Henry Clay Work) in Digital Tradition:
http://www.deltablues.com or http://www.onstagemedia.com/mudcat
("Don't look for songs without it.")

The _Burl Ives Songbook_ version "Nicodemus," which he calls a folk
version, is only slightly different.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ---
I am Abby Sale - abby...@orlinter.com (That's in Orlando)

jay....@btinternet.com

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May 9, 2018, 6:01:56 AM5/9/18
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Nick Baum’s got it almost exactly as I remember it.
A few minor changes ;
So go an tell Lija to hurry on down
And meet us at the gumtree down by the swamp
For to wake Nicodemus ltoday
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