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The United Methodist Hymnal · No. 722 · Tune: I WANT TO BE READY
I Want to Be Ready
Create PowerPoint slides from this hymn →A traditional African American spiritual expressing eager readiness to enter the heavenly Jerusalem, drawn from the Apostle John's vision in Revelation. Dating to the antebellum era, it is one of the best-known Black spirituals in American hymnody.
Refrain
I want to be ready,
I want to be ready,
I want to be ready
to walk in Jerusalem
just like John.
Verse 1
O John, O John, what did you say?
Walk in Jerusalem just like John!
That you'd be there on judgment day.
Walk in Jerusalem just like John!
Refrain
I want to be ready,
I want to be ready,
I want to be ready
to walk in Jerusalem
just like John.
Verse 2
John said the city was just foursquare.
Walk in Jerusalem just like John!
And he declared he'd meet me there.
Walk in Jerusalem just like John.
Refrain
I want to be ready,
I want to be ready,
I want to be ready
to walk in Jerusalem
just like John.
Verse 3
Now sinners, mind how you step on the cross.
Walk in Jerusalem just like John!
Your foot might slip and your soul get lost.
Walk in Jerusalem just like John!
Refrain
I want to be ready,
I want to be ready,
I want to be ready
to walk in Jerusalem
just like John.
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