One Man Mormon Blues Band: Music

• MP3 short clip, hi-fi play (broadband)
• MP3 short clip, lo-fi play (modem)

I wrote the arrangement to this song, but this is the only song on the CD for which I didn't write the words. The song is an old Negro spiritual that has been performed many times in many styles. (My friend calls my arrangement "minimalist music" because it is basically drums with a little piano and harmonica thrown in.) It is thought that this song was actually written by a single, unknown author because it lacks the repetitive nature of many of the collective shouts and hollers.

I like this song because it is so humble. It doesn't talk about what other people did. It apologizes and accepts the fact that the singer isn't too different from other men and would have probably have made the same mistakes: "We didn't know who you was." I would like to think I would not have crucified our Lord, or been one to stand by and watch it happen. But I can't be sure.

Sweet little Jesus boy born in a manger
Sweet little holy child didn't know who you was
Didn't know you was come to save us Lord take our sins away
Our eyes was blind They couldn't see
We didn't know who you was

Long time ago you was born born in a manger Lord
Sweet little Jesus boy didn't know who you was
The world treat you mean Lord Treat me mean too
Please Sir forgive us Lord
We didn't know it was you

Sweet little Jesus boy born long time ago
Sweet little holy child we didn't know it was you