I'm a-rolling (Traditional)

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•  Posted on 2026-04-26(Posted 2026-04-26)  CPDL #89057:           

Editor: Eduardo Méndez (submitted 2026-04-26).   Score information: A4, 1 page, 168 kB   Copyright: Public Domain

Edition notes: Arranged by Homer A. Rodeheaver.

General Information

Title: I'm a-Rolling
Composer: Anonymous (Traditional)
Lyricist: Anonymous
Number of voices: 4vv   Voicing: SATB
Genre: Sacred, Spiritual

Language: English
Instruments: A cappella

First published: 1872 in Jubilee Songs Complete, no. 6
    2nd published: 1901 in Religious Folk Songs of the Negro, Edition 2, no. 62
    3rd published: 1918 in Plantation Melodies, no. 23
Description: 

External websites:

• Facsimile at Hathitrust.org.

Original text and translations

English text

1. O, brothers, won’t you help me,
O, brothers, won’t you help me to pray?
Oh, brothers, won’t you help me,
Won’t you help me in the service of the Lord?

[Chorus]
I’m a-rolling, I’m a-rolling,
I’m a-rolling thro' an unfriendly world;
I’m a-rolling, I’m a-rolling through an unfriendly world

2. O, sisters, won’t you help me,
O, sisters, won’t you help me to pray?
Oh, sisters, won’t you help me,
Won’t you help me in the service of the Lord?

3. O, preachers, won’t you help me,
O, preachers, won’t you help me to pray?
Oh, preachers, won’t you help me,
Won’t you help me in the service of the Lord