2003
Sit Down, Sister
Composed by 
George Crumb
George Crumb A Journey Beyond Time: American Songbook II Song Collection
"Sit Down, Sister" is for singer, amplified piano, and percussion. It is the sixth song of George Crumb's A Journey Beyond Time: American Songbook II (2003).
The audio recording provided features Thomas Hampson, baritone, and members of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. The recording is from a live performance at Alice Tully Hall (New York City) on April 29, 2011 and has been used with permission.
Text
Sit Down, Sister
Traditional African-American Spiritual
Refrain:
Oh won’t you sit down! No, I can’t sit down!
Oh won’t you sit down! No, I can’t sit down!
Sit down, Sister! No, I can’t sit down,
‘Cause I just got to heaven–want to look around!
Who’s that yonder dressed in red?
Must be the children that Moses had.
Who’s that yonder dressed in white?
Must be the children of the Israelites.
Refrain
Who’s that yonder dressed in blue?
Must be the children that are comin’ through.
Who’s that yonder dressed in black?
Must be the hypocrites a turnin’ back.
Refrain
Audio
“Sit Down, Sister” (from “A Journey Beyond Time: American Songbook II”)
Thomas Hampson (baritone) & members of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center1:53
Sheet Music
A Journey Beyond Time
George Crumb
1. "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"
2. "Joshua Fit de Battle ob Jericho"
3. "Steal Away"
4. "Oh, a-Rock-a My Soul"
5. The Pregnant Earth: A Psalm for Noontide (Instrumental Interlude)
6. "Sit Down, Sister"
7. "Nobody Knows de Trouble I See"
8. "Go Down, Moses"
9. "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child"
2. "Joshua Fit de Battle ob Jericho"
3. "Steal Away"
4. "Oh, a-Rock-a My Soul"
5. The Pregnant Earth: A Psalm for Noontide (Instrumental Interlude)
6. "Sit Down, Sister"
7. "Nobody Knows de Trouble I See"
8. "Go Down, Moses"
9. "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child"