JONAH AND THE WHALE
Sung by: Almeda Riddle
Recorded on 5/10/62

 Click here to listen to the original recording
(Comment by Mrs. Riddle: "Now, I don't remember the tune to this. My aunt sung this when I was quite small, and her daughter and I found this old ballad and I . . . The best we could remember the tune I jotted it off a little bit, and I've only tried it a couple of times, never for anyone other than myself.")

In the Bible we are told
Of a prophet who was called
To a city that was steeped in awful sin.
All the people in that place
Were devoid of saving grace,
And the prophet seemed afraid to enter in.

Chorus: But over there, over there--
In the land so bright and fair--
Oh, they'll tell us all about it over there.
On that happy golden stand,
I'll take Jonah by the hand,
And he'll tell us all about it over there.

Then the prophet forth was sent,
That old Ninevah might repent,
But instead of that to Tartish he set sail.
Oh, that wind began to blow,
And overboard did Jonah go,
And he found his mercy seat inside the whale.

(Chorus)

Now, some people don't believe
That a whale could him receive,
But that doesn't make my song at all untrue.
There are whales on every side,
And big mouths are open wide,
So take care or one may swallow you.

(Chorus)

In that cold and briny deep,
Tears of grief did Jonah weep,
'Til the big fish threw him out upon the shore.
Then he gladly went his way,
Preaching to Ninevah night and day,
And he didn't care to backslide any more.

(Chorus)

All Songs Recorded by John Quincy Wolf, Jr., unless otherwise noted

The John Quincy Wolf Folklore Collection
Lyon College, Batesville, Arkansas
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