ON REVIVAL DAY
Andy Razaf  1930

as rec by Bessie Smith & The Bessemer Singers w James P Johnson (piano) 
June 9th 1930 New York

also rec by-
Rube Bloom & his Bayou Boys '30
The Coon-Saunders Nighthawks '30
Red Nichols & his Five Pennies '30
Andy Razaf w Luis Russell & his Orch '30
Laverne Baker




Have you ever seen a church begin to rock?
Heard a sundown deacon preachin' to his flock?
Have you ever seen old Satan on the run?
Then follow me, see just how it's done, and have you;

Ever heard a sermon stir your soul?
Make you crave the River Jordan as you go?
have you ever felt as though you'd like to shout?
Then come on and let them feelin's out, oh Lord!

Just hear those sisters groanin',
And hear those brothers moanin',
Rippin' and antonin'
On revival day.

They talkin' to a spirit,
Just like you see and hear it;
They're sinful and they fear it
On revival day.

When that congregation starts to sing,
Nothin' in this world don't mean a thing!

Oh, glory hallelujah!
Makes you feel so peculiar,
The Devil cannot rule ya
On revival day!

Glory glory,
Hymns are purifyin',
Glory glory,
Wash my sins away!
Lawdy lawdy,
Heal just like a lion,
Lawdy lawdy,
It's reborn today!

Oh, just tell those sisters groanin'
And hear them brothers moanin',
Rippin' and anantonin'
On revival day.

Oh, they're talkin' to a spirit,
Just like you see and hear it;
They sinful and they fear it
On revival day.

When that congregation starts to sing,
Nothin' in this world don't mean a thing!

Oh, glory hallelujah!
Makes you feel so peculiar,
The Devil cannot rule ya
On revival day!



(Transcribed by Peter Akers - February 2011)