One a-these mornings, soon one morning
I'm gonna lay down my cross, get me a crown
Soon one evening, late in the evening
I'm going home to live on high
Soon as my feet strike Zion
Lay down my heavy burdens
Put on my robe in Glory
Goin' home, one day, and tell my story
I been climbing over hills and mountains
Gonna drink from the Christian fountain
You know, all a-God's sons and daughters, that morning
Will be drinking that ol' healing water
And we gonna live on forever, we gonna live on forever
We gonna live on, up in Glory after while

I'm goin' out sight-seeing in Buelah
March all around God's alter
Gonna walk and never get tired
Gonna fly, Lord, and never falter
I'm gonna move up a little higher
Gonna meet ol' man Daniel
I'm gonna move up a little higher
Gonna meet the Hebrew Children
I'm gonna move up a little higher
Gonna meet Paul and Silas
I'm gonna move on up a little higher
Gonna meet my friends and kindred
I'm gonna move on up a little higher
Gonna meet my loving mother
I'm gonna move on up a little higher
Gonna meet that Lily of the Valley
I'm gonna feast with the Rose of Sharon
It will be always howdy howdy
It will be always howdy howdy
It will be always howdy howdy
And never goodbye

Oh, will you be there early one morning, will you be there,
Somewhere 'round God's alter, will you be there?
Oh, when the angels shall call God's roll
God knows I'll be waiting, hmmm
Yes, I'll be watching somewhere 'round God's alter
Well, I'll be waiting, oh, at the beautiful, yes, golden gates
Well, well, soon as my feet strike Zion
Gonna lay down my heavy burdens
Gonna put on my robe in Glory
I'm going home, one day, tell my story
I been climbing over hills and mountains
I'm gonna drink from the Christian fountain
You know all God, God's sons and daughters that mornin'
Will drink that ol' healing water
Meet me there, early one morning
Meet me there, somewhere 'round the alter
Meet me there, oh, when the angels shall call God's roll


Gospel Historian Anthony Heilbut describes Mahalia Jackson’s “Move On Up a Little Higher” as “a barely disguised freedom song” that was understood by Black listeners as a statement of empowerment during a time of violence and segregation. Black Americans adopted Jackson’s song as an anthem during the 1950s and ‘60s (Darden). Jackson joined Martin Luther King, Jr. at Civil Rights Movement events, risking her career for the movement (Chang). Jackson’s influence was so strong that she was a household name during a time where racism prevented many Black Americans from entering mainstream media (Darden).

Mahalia Jackson’s “Move On Up a Little Higher” revolves around salvation, as it evokes the image of a Christian who, after they "lay down" their cross, ascends to heaven to join their Lord. The speaker expresses a positive attitude about their death as they anticipate their salvation. This contrasts Jefferson's own experience with death. His anticipation evokes fear, as seen in his nightmares about what is beyond the door leading into the room with the electric chair. Yet, as we see through the text, Jefferson is awarded some agency in his death. Just as the song's speaker ascends to God’s heavenly domain, Jefferson walks to his own death in a display of personhood and bravery. The middle of the song discusses all the people the speaker anticipates meeting in heaven, both saintly figures and their own loved ones. This utopian community above the clouds is in contrast to Jefferson’s struggling community, which suffered insult when his defense lawyer likened him to a hog and then injury when he was sentenced to death. Jackson’s song ends with the repeated question to listeners, asking if they will join the speaker in heaven. This reminds me of the end of the novel, which concludes very soon after Jefferson’s execution. Just as the community reels from Jefferson’s death, as does the reader, who must feel the weight of Jefferson reclaiming and redefining his own humanity.