(To be sung by a leader and chorus, the leader singing
the body of the poem, while the chorus interrupts with
the question.)
Ive been to Palestine.
WHAT DID YOU SEE IN PALESTINE?
I saw the ark of Noah
It was made of pitch and pine.
I saw old Father Noah
Asleep beneath his vine.
I saw Shem, Ham and Japhet
Standing in a line.
I saw the tower of Babel
In the gorgeous sunrise shine
By a weeping willow tree
Beside the Dead Sea.
Ive been to Palestine.
WHAT DID YOU SEE IN PALESTINE?
I saw abominations
And Gadarene swine.
I saw the sinful Canaanites
Upon the shewbread dine,
And spoil the temple vessels
And drink the temple wine.
I saw Lots wife, a pillar of salt
Standing in the brine
By a weeping willow tree
Beside the Dead Sea.
Ive been to Palestine.
WHAT DID YOU SEE IN PALESTINE?
Cedars on Mount Lebanon,
Gold in Ophirs mine,
And a wicked generation
Seeking for a sign
And Baals howling worshippers
Their god with leaves entwine.
And . . .
I saw the war-horse ramping
And shake his forelock fine
By a weeping willow tree
Beside the Dead Sea.
Ive been to Palestine.
WHAT DID YOU SEE IN PALESTINE?
Old John Brown.
Old John Brown.
I saw his gracious wife
Dressed in a homespun gown.
I saw his seven sons
Before his feet bow down.
And he marched with his seven sons,
His wagons and goods and guns,
To his campfire by the sea,
By the waves of Galilee.
Ive been to Palestine.
WHAT DID YOU SEE IN PALESTINE?
I saw the harp and psaltry
Played for Old John Brown.
I heard the rams horn blow,
Blow for Old John Brown.
I saw the Bulls of Bashan
They cheered for Old John Brown.
I saw the big Behemoth
He cheered for Old John Brown.
I saw the big Leviathan
He cheered for Old John Brown.
I saw the Angel Gabriel
Great power to him assign.
I saw him fight the Canaanites
And set Gods Israel free.
I saw him when the war was done
In his rustic chair recline
By his campfire by the sea,
By the waves of Galilee.
Ive been to Palestine.
WHAT DID YOU SEE IN PALESTINE?
Old John Brown.
Old John Brown.
And there he sits
To judge the world.
His hunting-dogs
At his feet are curled.
His eyes half-closed,
But John Brown sees
The ends of the earth,
The Day of Doom.
And his shot-gun lies
Across his knees
Old John Brown,
Old John Brown.
