"Wake Nicodemus" lyrics

Nicodemus, the slave, was of African birth
And was bought for a bag full of gold
He was reckon'd as part of the salt of the earth
And he died long ago, very old
And his last sad request as they lay him to rest
In the trunk of an old hollow tree
"Wake my up" was his charge at the first break of day
"Wake me up for the great Jubilee"

There's a great time comin' and it's not far off
Been long, long, long on the way
So go and tell Elijah to hurry up, Pomp
And meet us by the gum tree down in the swamp
For to wake Nicodemus today

Nicodemus was never the sport of the lash
Though the bullets has oft cross'd his path
There were none of his masters so bold or so rash
As to face such a man in his wrath
But his great heart with kindness was filled to the brim
He obeyed who was born to command
And he long'd for the morning which then was so dim
'Tis the morning which now is at hand

There's a great time comin' and it's not far off
Been long, long, long on the way
So go and tell Elijah to hurry up, Pomp
And meet us by the gum tree down in the swamp
For to wake Nicodemus today