(A Funeral Sermon)
Weep not, weep not,
She is not dead;
She's resting in the bosom of Jesus.
Heart-broken husband--weep no more;
Grief-stricken son--weep no more;
Left-lonesome daughter --weep no more;
She only just gone home.
Day before yesterday morning,
God was looking down from his great, high heaven,
Looking down on all his children,
And his eye fell on Sister Caroline,
Tossing on her bed of pain.
And God's big heart was touched with pity,
With the everlasting pity.
And God sat back on his throne,
And he commanded that tall, bright angel standing at his right hand:
Call me Death!
And that tall, bright angel cried in a voice
That broke like a clap of thunder:
Call Death!--Call Death!
And the echo sounded down the streets of heaven
Till it reached away back to that shadowy place,
Where Death waits with his pale, white horses.
And Death heard the summons,
And he leaped on his fastest horse,
Pale as a sheet in the moonlight.
Up the golden street Death galloped,
And the hooves of his horses struck fire from the gold,
But they didn't make no sound.
Up Death rode to the Great White Throne,
And waited for God's command.
And God said: Go down, Death, go down,
Go down to Savannah, Georgia,
Down in Yamacraw,
And find Sister Caroline.
She's borne the burden and heat of the day,
She's labored long in my vineyard,
And she's tired--
She's weary--
Go down, Death, and bring her to me.
And Death didn't say a word,
But he loosed the reins on his pale, white horse,
And he clamped the spurs to his bloodless sides,
And out and down he rode,
Through heaven's pearly gates,
Past suns and moons and stars;
on Death rode,
Leaving the lightning's flash behind;
Straight down he came.
While we were watching round her bed,
She turned her eyes and looked away,
She saw what we couldn't see;
She saw Old Death. She saw Old Death
Coming like a falling star.
But Death didn't frighten Sister Caroline;
He looked to her like a welcome friend.
And she whispered to us: I'm going home,
And she smiled and closed her eyes.
And Death took her up like a baby,
And she lay in his icy arms,
But she didn't feel no chill.
And death began to ride again--
Up beyond the evening star,
Into the glittering light of glory,
On to the Great White Throne.
And there he laid Sister Caroline
On the loving breast of Jesus.
And Jesus took his own hand and wiped away her tears,
And he smoothed the furrows from her face,
And the angels sang a little song,
And Jesus rocked her in his arms,
And kept a-saying: Take your rest,
Take your rest.
Weep not--weep not,
She is not dead;
She's resting in the bosom of Jesus.
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Comments
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From guest Cinda Byrd Deaton (contact)
This has given me a whole new perspective on death. I just lost my husband, and it made me look at it all differently. -
Thanks J W Johnson
From guest Joseph Darku (contact)
This is a powerfull piece of inspiration. I am a christain and sometimes afraid and confused about the whole idea of Death. But this poem has really touched and removed my fear. Thanks J.W. Johnson -
This is so Moving!
From guest Diane (contact)
I fine this is so moving,and it touches my soul, all the though my body! -
Beautiful
From guest James Melton (contact)
One of the most moving testaments to the inevitible. How comforting. -
James Weldon & his work
From guest Randall Laraway (contact)
My humble gratitude for your sharing this man's poetry and prose. It touches the soul, so as to enhance the hope we already have in Christ. -
go down death
From guest billy joe thomas (contact)
I don't fear death for i know i'll be in the arms of jesus. Wintley phipps recites this poem with such vigor that its comforting how the end comes. -
Go Down Death
From guest Janice (contact)
On November 3, 1974 at the age of 32, I read this poem and was so awed by it that I copied it down and placed it in my bible. Although not a religous person I was so inspired that I needed it near me. I am now 66 and my mother is now 89 and not expected to live much longer. I recently came across this poem in my older bible and read it to her. She said she has been seeing faint images and now feels more at peace. She wants "Go Down Death" read at her funeral. -
From guest demy (contact)
What a great one!..i dedicated this to my beloved wife..this poem was calm me down for longing to my wife..it was also a message for me that i will always to carry! -
From guest Yvette Watkins (contact)
I've always loved this Poem. My sister-in-law has recited this on a couple of occasions, and everytime I hear her, it sends chills through me. -
Go Down Death
From guest Johnetta Colson (contact)
This is a great poem. It touches the core of your heart. I delivered this poem at my grandmother's funeral and she lived in Savannah, Ga. I also delivered it at my father's funeral. So special, so special, so special. -
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Powerful Message
From guest J. L. Lines (contact)
I am a preacher of the gospel who heard this poem quoted recently. I was gripped and held fast by every word. I can bearly read it without weeping. Indeed, Death's icy hand leads us to the warm arms of our Saviour! Thank the Lord. -
Appropriate & Timeless
From guest Winona A. Hendricks (contact)
My Aunt Jenny was passed away . This poem fit the sentiments and emotions with the spiritual rightness of African Americans who have struggled with too many deaths . Aunt Jenny was a strong role model for my family -
From guest margaret (contact)
this is a very tochingpome. it toched my heart. and almost made me shed a tear. -
HAppy to find my dearly beloved poem!!!
From guest Kaye B. Reed (contact)
I am so glad to find this poem .Thank you for such good archives. -
My Boy Rests...
From guest cookie Santiago (contact)
I wish I knew of this writing last August when our six year old little boy was delivered to those very same arms to rest. But, I've found it today as I wait for the child of another family - named "Caroline" - who is in her very last hours. And I will let my family know that when it is my time to go home - they must celebrate that day with this poem! Halleluyah - glory will be for those who understand... we are the Easter people! My boy is waiting for me and his body if free of cancer...healed and whole after fourteen long months. The joy of our reality wraps itself around the pain of longing every day! Cookie mama to Diego: 07/29/2000 - 08/02/2006 www.carepages.com / DiegoLand -
Gaither Homecoming
From guest Amazing Grace Tauvao (contact)
I've heard this poem from Bill Gaitther also! Absolutely beautiful! Jesus Lives! GOD BLESS:D:D:D -
beautiful poem
From guest Ginger Martin (contact)
I've heard this poem recited by Wintley Phipps on the Bill Gaither Homecoming video "Heaven" and have fallen in love with it. Today, my grandmother is dying of cancer and will likely not make it through the day. Like Sister Caroline, she has labored long and will soon be resting in the bosom of Jesus. We plan to have this poem recited at her funeral. -
From guest Reyna (contact)
I did this piece for a speech contest at school, and I found myself crying at the part where it says" And Death took her up like a baby". I was so moved and so was the principal and some of my classmates. I can honestly say that this piece by Johnson is very powerful and it definitely hit home for me. -
First time I've read this one...
Johnson is one of my favorite poets. I have never had the privilege of reading this "funeral sermon". This is very beautiful. The simplicity is overwhelming. It makes the death of Sister Caroline more of a home-going, a celebration than the dirge of a traditional funeral. Excellent!
Renee
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