Preceded by discussion of composition. See AFS 2580B for more of Molly's explication of the story of Joseph Thomas, the historical personage the song is about. Identified on AFS card as ""Dear Friends, Farewell.""
Currently as: Lomax, John A., Alan Lomax, and Ruth Crawford Seeger. Our Singing Country: A Second Volume of American Folk Songs and Ballads. Dover, 2000.
Lomax announces that Higgins learned the song from an "old-time Baptist preacher" in the county named Dave Whitaker, and that Higgins is 85 and soon to be 86. Higgins himself identifies this song as "When Moses and the Israelites."
Followed by discussion Henson about song, which was newly composed and sung in nearby Holiness church. Ms. Henson was 73 (born March 1, 1863) and Daugh Henson's mother.
The Hoskins recall learning this song from an African American schoolteacher (Julie Johnson) when they were children, although where she lived is inaudible.