Old Ship of Zion
Written by
M. J. Cartwright in
1889
Performed by
I was lost in sin and sorrow
on an isle in life’s dark sea
When I saw far in the distance
there a ship it seemed to be
Then I saw the Captain beckon,
He cried so loud and free
“My child, I’ve come to save you, step on board and follow
me!”
‘Tis the old ship of Zion
‘Tis the old ship of Zion
‘Tis the old ship of Zion
‘Tis the old ship of Zion
‘Tis the old ship of Zion
I got on board, early one morning
I got on board
There ain’t no danger in the water
There ain’t no danger in the water
There ain’t no danger in the water
There ain’t no danger in the water
There ain’t no danger in the water
I got on board, early one morning
I got on board.
Were our ancestors trying to tell
us something? It’s so amazing when I listen to the spirituals of our ancestors
and I can’t help but wonder what did they know?! Over the years the knowledge
somehow—stopped I will have to say during the period—well, I’m going to have to
go my mother’s birth year of 1941 and let’s give or take a few years. The
knowledge of our journey ended with a great many in that generation. The
knowledge of Jesus and everything the Father in heaven had done for us. How we
worshiped, how we prayed, how we communed with our Father became nothing more
than a proverb.
Thus, the knowledge of our
ancestors slowly quieted and turned towards the history of slavery and the
ships that brought my people over to this New World.
A great many people that were born after 1941 tell their children the history
of slavery and the Civil Rights Movement and all of those topics are great.
However, we had a history long before slavery and that history has been quieted
over the last 60 years or more.
Instead of trying to hold on to
our history, which is so rich in
itself, our ancestors decided to instill the oppressors way of life, traditions
and culture. Thus, this is what we in turn passed down to our children. The
beautiful aspect is—the generation that was skipped born sometime between 1968
and 1978 is beginning to bring the knowledge of our history back to our
children, younger siblings, family members and whoever else has ears to hear.
It really saddens me when I hear
people write blogs or make comments such as, “See what Christianity has done to
Blacks, they loved the ship! There thanking the white man!” This song has
nothing to do with the white man or being in slavery and oppressed.
Christianity is—our story. That is
why so many of us gravitate to it and can’t let it go. It’s instilled in our
DNA—plain and simple, Christianity or shall I say the Holy Bible is—our story
(which involves months and months or years of study). We must stop blaming the
oppressor and look at the message which is clearly given. For we know that
Christianity is not our religion; however, the Bible is our story!
Rediscovering our history sheds
so much light and beauty on us as a people. Our ancestors remind us through
song, praise and dance who we were, tell us about their experiences, their love
for Jesus and how they overcame the snares of the oppressors. It is only
through the knowledge of the Father in heaven that we are now able to hear
these words as they resonate within.
The Bible talks about these Ships of Zion; not the transatlantic, but the Ships of Zion. These Ships are not bringing us to a land that is not our own they’re
taking us back to our Native
Land. I know our
ancestors had the knowledge of the Father when they wrote a lot of these
spirituals. Whether it’s the Ships of
Zion or Swing Low Sweet Chariot,
how awesome it is when you have ears to hear the message and relate to what is
being sung!
One day and one day soon, we will
get on board. On that Ship of Zion
where there’s no danger in the water. For those of you who can’t swim—no
worries! You’re completely safe. All you have to do is get on board and let
Jesus and His heavenly angels do the rest!
Get on Board!
Please click the link below and enjoy the song!!
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