[Verse 1]
Well, you talk about Jerusalem morning
(Yes, good Lord)
Well, you talk about Jerusalem morning
(Yes, good Lord)
I believe to my soul I'm bound to shout
(Shout on, brother, shout on)
This good old religion done turned me wrong side out
(Amen, amen)
With your long white robe and your starry crown

[Chorus]
Be ready when the great day comes
I'll be ready, I'll be ready
Yes, good Lord, I'll be ready when the great day
Come, come-come-come, come-come-come, come
I'll be ready, I'll be ready
Yes, good Lord, I'll be ready when the great day comes

[Verse 2]
Don't the Good Book say that Cain killed Abel?
(Yes, good Lord)
Now don't the Good Book say that Cain killed Abel?
(Yes, good Lord)
(How'd he kill him?)
Didn't he knock him in the head with a table leg?
Believe to my soul, done killed him dead (Shout on)
And the last words old Abel said:
(What?)
[Chorus]
Be ready when the great day comes
I'll be ready, I'll be ready
Yes, good Lord, I'll be ready when the great day
Come, come-come-come, come-come-come, come
I'll be ready, I'll be ready
Yes, good Lord, I'll be ready when the great day comes

I'll be ready, I'll be ready
Yes, good Lord, I'll be ready when the great day
Come, come-come-come, come-come-come, come
I'll be ready, I'll be ready
Yes, good Lord, I'll be ready when the great day
When the great day comes