For forty some years I've been walking the line Swinging this hammer in a cold, dark mine I'd like to say that I'm doing fine But I'm just getting older and tired I work down here but I can't ever leave Black hole, black heart, black air that I breathe But I'll see the light on the day I'm received And I'm singing in Jerusalem's Choir Oh, good Lord when my time's at hand Carry me home up to the promised land I want to play in the angel band I want to sing in Jerusalem's Choir When I was young and the preacher come around Making his circuit through the mining towns He'd say "Good people can't you hear the sound Of the angels in Jerusalem's Choir" I've been told, I've heard it said When they call your name on the rolls of the dead You'll be judged by the life you've led, You better choose between Heaven and fire Oh, good Lord when my time's at hand Carry me home up to the promised land I want to play in the angel band I want to sing in Jerusalem's Choir So I'll keep working in this deep, dark hole 'Til the trumpets sound and the thunder rolls Then the good Lord, he's going to take my soul And I'll be singing in Jerusalem's Choir Oh, good lord when my time's at hand Carry me home up to the promised land I want to play in the angel band I want to sing in Jerusalem's Choir Oh, I want to play in the angel band I want to sing in Jerusalem's Choir