Lyr Req: Sinner You'd Better Get Ready

Subject: Lyr Req: 'Sinner you'd better get ready' as sung
From:
Date: 05 Apr 03 - 11:01 PM

Hi ,
Looking for lyrics to "Sinner you'd better get ready" as sung by Lilly Brothers or Monroe Bros, not the one posted alreadyby the Louvin Brothers. The one That I'm looking for has 2 different verses.
Thanks,
Mitch

Subject: Lyr Add: SINNER YOU BETTER GET READY
From: masato sakurai
Date: 05 Apr 03 - 11:32 PM

From notes to The Monroe Brothers Collection (1936-38) (BMG Japan BVCP-8615~7; 3-disc set):

SINNER YOU BETTER GET READY
(rec. The Monroe Brothers, 1937)

Oh sinner, you better get ready
Oh you better get ready, hallelujah
Sinner, you better get ready
Time's a-coming when the sinner must die

Just kind of people live, just going to die
Time's a-coming when the sinner must die
Just kind of sinner live, just so they die
Time's a-coming when the sinner must die

God gave Noah the rainbow sign
Time's a-coming when the sinner must die
Won't be the water be the fire next time
Time's a-comin when the sinner must die

Sinner, I beg you to back this way
Time's a-coming when the sinner must die
It looks like judgement's headed this way
Time's a-coming when the sinner must die

I thought I'd heard all the people say,
Time's a-coming when the sinner must die
God gave the angel to guide your way
Time's a-coming when the sinner must die

~Masato

Subject: Lyr Add: OH, SINNER, YOU'D BETTER GET READY
From: masato sakurai
Date: 05 Apr 03 - 11:50 PM

From Hampton and its Students. By Two of its Teachers, Mrs. M. F. Armstrong and Helen W. Ludlow. With Fifty Cabin and Plantation Songs, Arranged by Thomas P. Fenner (New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1874, pp. 209-210; with music):

OH, SINNER, YOU'D BETTER GET READY

Oh, sinner, you'd better get ready,
Ready, my Lord, ready,
Oh, sinner, you'd better get ready,
For the time is a-comin' dat sinner must die.
Oh, sinner man, you had better pray,
Time is a-comin' dat sinner must die;
For it look-a like judgment ebry day.
Time is a-comin' dat sinner must die;
I heard a lumbring in de sky,
Time is a-comin' dat sinner must die,
Dat make-a me t'ink my time was nigh,
Time is a-com-in' dat sinner must die.

2.
I heard of my Jesus a many one say--
Time is a-comin' dat sinner must die,
Could 'move poor sinner's sins away--
Time is a-comin' dat sinner must die.
Yes, I'd rather a pray myself away--
Time is a-comin' dat sinner must die,
Dan to lie in hell an' burn a-one day--
Time is a-comin' dat sinner must die.
CHO.--Oh, sinner, you'd better get ready, &c.

3.
I think I heard a my mother say--
Time is a-comin' dat sinner must die,
'Twas a pretty thing a to serve de Lord--
Time is a-comin' dat sinner must die.
Oh, when I get to Heaven I'll be able for to tell--
Time is a-comin' dat sinner must die,
Oh, how I shun dat dismal hell--
Time is a-comin' dat sinner must die.
CHO.--Oh, sinner, you'd better get ready, &c.

Subject: Lyr Add: SINNER, YOU BETTER GET READY
From: masato sakurai
Date: 06 Apr 03 - 01:40 AM

From William E. Barton, "Hymns of the Slave and the Freedman" (1899), reprinted in Bernard Katz, ed., The Social Implications of Early Negro Music in the United States (Arno/New York Times, 1969, p. 99; with music):

       SINNER, YOU BETTER GET READY

REFRAIN:
Sinner, you better get ready,
Sinner, you better get ready,
Sinner, you better get ready,
For the hour is a-comin' Dat a sinner must die.

1. The tallest tree in Paradise,
      Hour is a comin' Dat a sinner must die.
      The Christian calls it the tree of life,
      Hour is a comin' Dat a sinner must die.

2. I looked at my hands, my hands was new;
      I looked at my feet, my eet was, too.

3. My name's written in de book of life,
      If you look in de book you'll find it there.

4. De good old chariot passing by,
      She jarred the earth and shook the sky.

Subject: Lyr Req: Sinner, You'd Better Get Ready
From: BlueYodelFreak
Date: 06 Dec 09 - 10:45 PM

Hey folks,

I've actually been able to figure out most of the lyrics to the Monroe Brothers recording of "Sinner, You'd Better Get Ready". It adds a few verses to the version I've seen floating around the web. Here's what I've been able to work out so far, if anyone's interested. At this point, I'm struggling with one line, and I've notated it with a series of three question marks. When I perform it, I use a reasonable replacement, but it'd be nice to have the correct lyrics. Also, if you see any other spots that need corrections, chime in! Thanks for your help!

[Chorus]
Oh sinners, you'd better get ready
Oh you'd better get ready hallelujah,
Sinners you'd better get ready,
The time's a comin' when the sinner must die.

Just as the people live, the people gonna die.
The time's a-comin' when the sinner must die.
Just as a sinner lives, just so they die.
The time's a-comin' when the sinner must die.

[Chorus]

God gave Noah the rainbow sign,
The time's a comin' when the sinner must die.
Won't be by water, be fire next time,
The time's a comin' when the sinner must die.

[Chorus]

Sinners, I beg you to practice and pray.
The time's a comin' when the sinner must die.
Look like judgment... ???
The time's a comin' when the sinner must die.

[Chorus]

I thought I heard all the people say:
"The time's a comin when the sinner must die."
Got to leave your name when they carry you away.
The time's a comin when the sinner must die.

Subject: ADD: Sinner You'd Better Get Ready
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Dec 09 - 11:10 PM

Hi, BYF-
I moved you over here with the other versions of this song, including one from the Monroe Brothers. Does that answer what you need?
-Joe-

---

This is what I hear on a Monroe Brothers 1936 (sic) compilation All the Classic Releases, 1937-1949 (I think it's a JSP budget box set, but I can't tell because I'm listening on Spotify)

SINNER YOU BETTER GET READY

[Chorus]
Oh sinners, you better get ready
Oh you better get ready hallelujah,
Sinners you better get ready,
The time's a comin' when the sinner must die.

Just as the people live, just gonna die.
Times am a-comin' when the sinner must die.
Just as a sinner lives, just so they die.
Times am a-comin' when the sinner must die.

[Chorus]

God gave Noah the rainbow sign,
Times am a-comin' when the sinner must die.
It won't be the water, be fire next time,
Times am a-comin' when the sinner must die.

[Chorus]

Sinners, I beg you to practice and pray.
Times am a-comin' when the sinner must die.
Look like judgment in the end [in heaven???] these days
Times am a-comin' when the sinner must die.

[Chorus]

I thought I heard all the people say:
"Times am a-comin' when the sinner must die."
Got to leave your name when they carry you away.
Times am a-comin' when the sinner must die.

from a 1936 recording of the Monroe Brothers, recorded at Charlotte, North Carolina.

---

In the Chorus, I think I hear:

The time's a comin' when the sinner must die.

In the verses, most times I hear:

Times am a-comin' when the sinner must die.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sinner You'd Better Get Ready
From: GUEST,999
Date: 06 Dec 09 - 11:14 PM

OH, SINNER, YOU'D BETTER GET READY
from « Spirituals »
by William Stickles, 1948


Oh, sinner man, you had better pray
Time is a-coming that sinner must die
For it look-a like judgement ev'ry day
Time is a-coming that sinner must die

    Oh, sinner, you'd better get ready
    Ready, my Lord, ready
    Oh, sinner, you'd better get ready
    For time is a-coming that sinner must die

I heard a lumb'ring in the sky
Time is a-coming that sinner must die
That make me think my time was nigh
Time is a-coming that sinner must die


That'll take care of the missing line.

---

Source: http://www.negrospirituals.com/news-song/oh_sinner_get_ready.htm

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sinner You'd Better Get Ready
From: BlueYodelFreak
Date: 07 Dec 09 - 01:19 PM

Hey Joe,

It absolutely helps 100%! Thank you for pointing me to the right place. I actually did a search for here before posting, and hit one thread, but it didn't seem to have what I was seeking. A more exhaustive search may have lead me here. My apologies.

Your help is most appreciated!

Rob

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Sinner You'd Better Get Ready
From: GUEST,Eric Zorrn
Date: 14 Oct 12 - 12:58 AM

I hear
"Sinners I beg you to practice and pray
Looks like judgment in the heavens these days"
in the Ricky Skaggs version.