That earth and heav’n should hear.
Yes, thou art precious to my soul,
My transport and my trust;
Jewels, to thee, are gaudy toys,
And gold is sordid dust.
I’ll speak the honors of thy name
With my last lab’ring breath;
Then speechless clasp thee in mine arms,
The antidote of death.
The notated form of this tune (the work is claimed by, and is doubtless that of, William Walker) illustrates excellently the manner of singing in rural America in earlier times. See also WS, p. 211 f.