It is believed enslaved African Americans developed the spiritual 'Roll, Jordan, Roll' from they hymn 'There is a Land of Pure Delight' written by Isaac Watts in the 18th century.
The line 'Roll, Jordan, Roll' became a coded message for slaves seeking to escape
'Roll, Jordan, Roll' lyrics
Refrain: Roll, Jordan, roll, roll, Jordan, roll, I want to go to heaven when I die, To hear Jordan roll.
Oh, brothers, you ought t'have been there. Yes, my Lord! A sitting in the Kingdom, To hear Jordan roll. [Refrain]
Oh, preachers, you ought t'have been there. Yes, my Lord! A sitting in the Kingdom, To hear Jordan roll. [Refrain]
Oh, sinners, you ought t'have been there. Yes, my Lord! A sitting in the Kingdom, To hear Jordan roll. [Refrain]
Oh, mourners, you ought t'have been there. Yes, my Lord! A sitting in the Kingdom, To hear Jordan roll. [Refrain]
Oh, seekers, you ought t'have been there. Yes, my Lord! A sitting in the Kingdom, To hear Jordan roll. [Refrain]
Oh, mothers, you ought t'have been there. Yes, my Lord! A sitting in the Kingdom, To hear Jordan roll. [Refrain]
Oh, sisters, you ought t'have been there. Yes, my Lord! A sitting in the Kingdom, To hear Jordan roll. [Refrain]