Companion Draw Nigh

Companion Draw Nigh

Folk songs

This is a recording of Mae Phillips (Maw Maw Phillips) singing the folk song "Companion Draw Nigh." It was recorded c. August, 1974, by Bobby McMillon in Lower Creek, Lenoir, North Carolina.

Bobby McMillon

Bobby McMillon Collection, Southern Appalachian Archives, Mars Hill University

Southern Appalachian Archives, Liston B. Ramsey Center for Appalachian Studies, Mars Hill University

c. August, 1974

Rights: This item may be viewed, downloaded, and printed for personal and educational use, but any commercial use is prohibited without permission from the Southern Appalachian Archives, Mars Hill University. Questions may be directed to the Archivist at (828) 689-1262 or archives@mhu.edu.

mp3

English

music

Audio cassette

1 minute, 47 seconds

[Spoken: “Companion Draw Nigh.”]

Companion draw nigh, they say I must die
Early the summons have come from on high
The way is so dark, and yet I must go
Oh, such sorrow you never may know

Only a prayer, only a tear
Oh, if sister and mother were here
Only a song will comfort and cheer
Only a word from the book so dear

Oh can you not bow and pray with me now?
Sad the regret will never learn how
To come before him who only can save
Leading in triumph through death and the grave

Only a prayer, only a tear
Oh, if sister and mother were here
Only a song will comfort and cheer
Only a word from the book so dear

You can-and-

Can you not sing a song of this love?
How he come down from mansions above
To bleed and to die on Calvary’s tree
Bringing salvation to sinners like me

Alas it is so, but thus it must be
No word or comfort or promise for me
To die without God or hope in his son
Covered in darkness bereaved and undone