Folks back then came from miles aroun',
To the big tent meetin' in the little Town!
In conspicuous places on a tree or pole,
Flyers advertised healing for body and soul!

Men in bib overalls and shirts of white,
And ladies in long dresses were a common sight!
Large families were the norm back then,
With children numbering eight or ten!

The weather was hot and I recall,
The tent meetin' was in Summer or early Fall!
So, just about every woman and man,
Possessed a picturesque funeral parlor fan!

For several reasons the people came.
But, most came to lift up Jesus' Name!
However, some folks came to stare and gawk,
While others would stand outside and talk.

But, before the First Service was to start,
Saints were praying,
Folks would give God their heart!
They prayed believing,

If they could get their loved ones there,
God would be merciful and answer their prayer!
From the very first stanza of the first song,
Folks clapped their hands and sang along!

And, as the joyous sound filled the air,
The Presence of the Holy Ghost was there!
Then, as the tent meetin' Preacher described hell,
Under the tent, old-fashioned conviction fell.

Sinners began to weep and wail,
As they made their way "down the sawdust trail!"
After repenting at the altar they felt so sublime,
And under the old tent "they had themselves a time!"

Quite often whole families would go forward to pray,
And there was a remarkable change,
As they went on their way!

Robert F. Dotson © 2010
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