Away out in Chester County
Just along the edge of a woods
On a road that was little traveled
Is where the old Mt. Zion stood
The building was old and shaby
For no architect ever drew that plan
But the memory of it to me is sweet
Its the most beautiful church in the land
For that was the chuch of our fathers
Twas there they gathered in their day
To offer to God their humble thanks
To hear the word and sing and pray
And I yet can hear their trembling voices
As they sang to God on high
A charge to keep I have and sing a God to glorify
A never dying soul to save and fit it for the sky
For we used to mingle our voices in singing that beautiful song in Sabbath school
When morning services was over then to Sabbath school we came
All the young folk around the country were there to answer to their name
We had never heard of an automobile
Away back in that day
The older folks came in a buggy
Or perhaps in a winter sleigh
But we young folks going to Sabbath School
Came along in groups and we walked
We thought nothing of the miles to Mt. Zion
As we cheerfully laughed and talked
We learned in Sabbath school from Gods word
The ways of religion and truth
And I'm so thankful today for Mt. Zion
Where I worshipped in the days of my youth
And now when I attend a place of worship
And they singing Bringing In The Sheaves
As the congregation raises their voices
I begin to turn back memories leaves
And my mind goes back in thought in Mt. Zion
Back about sixty or more years
And the work stick in my throat
And I'm blinded by the unbidden fast falling tears
For we used to mingle our voices in singing that beautiful song, In Sabbath School at Mt. Zion
And you know the time doesn't seem very long
There were so many folks that used to meet here in the days that have past and gone
That have gone on home to our father's house and left a few of us here alone
There were no beautiful windows then in memory of those past and gone but we know
By their lives and example here that their safe on that beautiful shore
There was Aunt Mary, Uncle Abe, the Tittles, the Boggs, the Weldons and Uncle Ellis McKim
But the reaper has passed through Old Mt. Zion and taken them all home to him
And so many darling little children like flowers had just began to grow
Just why God chose them for his garden some day we all shall know
When I got out there in the old grave yard bowed down by moulding rod
I have to leave those loved ones sleeping beneath the moulding rod
Should any of you ever pass by where this busy little church, stop and say a prayer
For all of us who once worshipped by the side of this woods
And when my last days are gone and all my activities shall cease
I hope someone will take me back to Mt. Zion and let me lie any where out there in peace
I know I do not ask for a tombstone
It does not matter if I am forgot
But out there with my beloved dead in Old Mt. Zion
Somebody find me my last resting place.

Back to Mount Zion AME Church Home